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U.S. Senate calls for war crimes trial for Saddam Hussein
March 13, 1998
Web posted at: 11:17 a.m. EST (1617 GMT)WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Senate on Friday passed a resolution calling on the United Nations war crimes tribunal to bring Iraq's President Saddam Hussein to trial.
The non-binding measure passed 93-0 with no debate, following a brief discussion on Thursday.
It asks the tribunal to convene "for the purpose of indicting, prosecuting and imprisoning Saddam Hussein."
Sen. Arlen Specter first introduced the measure in 1991, following the Persian Gulf War.
The resolution is largely symbolic. Congressional lawmakers are frustrated with the Iraqi leader, and are largely critical of the recent agreement U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan reached with Iraqi leaders to end the weapons inspections standoff.
Specter says there is evidence to suggest the Iraqi leader has used chemical and biological weapons against Iraqis, and against Iranians during the Iran-Iraq war of the 1980s.
"If he is indicted, if he is tried, even in absentia, there would be a very firm brand on Saddam Hussein as a war criminal," said Specter, a Republican from Pennsylvania.
"If he is branded as a war criminal it gives us the high moral ground to take action against Saddam Hussein," he added.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
CNN/Time Impact:
Newsmaker profiles:
- Kofi Annan - U.N. Secretary General
- Saddam Hussein - Iraqi President
Related stories:
- Annan, Clinton talks focus on Iraq - March 11, 1998
- Ritter leaves Baghdad after weapons inspections - March 10, 1998
- Iraqi inspections proceed in 'normal' manner - March 7, 1998
- Ritter back at work in Baghdad - March 6, 1998
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