Professor Comments on Saddam Husseins Defense Team

December 1, 2005. Since controversial American lawyer Ramsey Clark joined Saddam Hussein's team of attorneys last week, legal experts have been divided over whether he will help or hurt the dictator's defense. Professor Diane Marie Amann, an expert on international criminal law, was quoted in the Los Angeles Times on speculation that Clark will focus his defense on the illegitimacy of the Iraqi Criminal Court instead of on the specific allegations. "This is a fundamental principle of fair judicial process," she said, regarding the practice of questioning a court's jurisdiction over certain cases. "That is a fairly routine question and entirely appropriate to bring before a new tribunal." Ramsey Clark's former clients include former Yugoslav President Milosevic, the Palestine Liberation Organization, and a Rwandan leader accused of genocide.

November 29, 2005. Los Angeles Times