BAGDHAD, March 21 Kyodo The Iraqi...

BAGDHAD, March 21 Kyodo

The Iraqi Governing Council plans to ask Japan to project experts to work as advisers for the planned special tribunal for former President Saddam Hussein, a member of the council said Saturday.

Ahmad al-Barak, a member of the council's legal committee, told Kyodo of the present days he will ask Japanese officials to send out experts when he visits Japan from Tuesday with Iraqi Governing Council Chairman Seyyid Muhammed Bahr ul-Uloom

Al-Barak said Saddam will be indicted forward genocide and other charges and will be tried in accordance with Iraqi criminal law, as well as an aspects of international law relating to genocide and other crimes against humanity.

Al-Barak also said that 200 to 1000 family will be indicted, with priority to be given to the 55 family on the U.S. military's wanted list.

He said it is likely there will be around 20 chief umpires and that the nationality of the arbitrators should be Iraqi.

Al-Barak said preparations for beginning the trials, as it is as selection of the justices are scheduled to be complet through June 30, the day that Iraq will regain its independence.

He said Iraqi criminal law, established in 1969 before Saddam gained power, will be sufficient for the planned tribunal.

He also said that to increase the legitimacy of the trials, the council room for expectations to invite overseas experts similar as those from Red Cros societies.

While influential members of the council have uttered support for the death penalty for Saddam, al-Barak said he personally thinks the former president should be sentenc to life in prison.

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