The Regional office spokesperson of the International Committee of Red Cross (ICRC) in Amman, Jordan - Mu'een Qasis – asserted to Al Bawaba that rumors about the deterioration in Saddam's health were false.
Qasis added that the ICRC had visited the deposed president and 11 of his toppled aides in their prison; they also delivered letters to their families.
"The committee visited the former Iraqi president at the end of last month for the fourth time since his capture on December 2003. Saddam was in good health and did not suffer a stroke as was rumored," Qasis said.
"The ICRC examines the humanitarian situation of all prisoners regardless of their former roles and titles. Any criticism the committee may have is always discussed with the authorities in charge of the prison," Qasis added.
Qasis explained that this procedure has been in place for the past 140 years and is aimed at ensuring minimum levels of humanitarian conditions to prisoners. He also explained that the Red Cross is in no position to decide on the legitimacy of the authority that is holding the prisoners.
“The committee received letters from the former Iraqi president and 11 other former Iraqi officials to deliver to their families; however the letters will have to go through inspection by the Coalition forces to omit any writing that is not personal (i.e. political),” the spokesperson stated.
"The committee talks to every prisoner in private to know more about his or her conditions. These are later addressed with the detaining party," Qasis concluded. The ICRC has visited more than half a million prisoners and prisoners-of-war in 80 countries last year.
On a related note, Iraq’s Interim PM Dr Iyad Allawi had requested from Syrian officials that they hand over Mr. Sab'awi - Saddam's half brother - to the Iraqi authorities. Iraq would like to prosecute him in an Iraqi court - the Syrian’s have agreed to consider the request. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
