Powel: Saddam Hussein will not be tried before transfer of authority to the Iraqis

The US Secretary Of State Colin Powell said yesterday that the former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein will mot be tried before the transfer of the authority to the Iraqis.

Powell added in remarks to the Australian TV that the case to be filed against Saddam Hussein will not be ready before next July, at the earliest. He continued that it is better to make the trial after the Iraqis get sovereignty in their country after the first of July."

He explained the matter " will take all this time in order to gather all accusations ( against Saddam Hussein), and the Iraqis to tackle the matter appropriately." Powell considered that Saddam tries to protect himself through cooperation at the minimum level with the investigators. He said "I can not say he is collaborative. He knows he will be tried and realizes difficulties he is facing and what he will face, and therefore he is trying to protect himself."