2006年VOA标准英语-State Department Says Saddam Still in US Hands

By David Gollust
State Department
29 December 2006

U.S. State Department officials say condemned¹ former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein remained in the hands of U.S. military forces in Iraq as of late Friday. But they said that did not preclude² the possibility of an early handover to Iraqi authorities for his execution. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

Saddam Hussein listens to prosecution during 'Anfal' genocide trial in Baghdad, 20 Dec 2006

Though the U.S. forces in Iraq have served as Saddam Hussein's jailers since his capture in December of 2003, he has technically³ been under Iraqi legal jurisdiction⁴.

Officials in Washington say U.S. authorities in Iraq are still awaiting official notice from the Baghdad government that he is to be handed over to them for execution.

As speculation⁵ about the former Iraqi president's status swirled⁶ in the Iraqi capital, State Department Deputy Spokesman Tom Casey told reporters there had been no change in his status as a prisoner of coalition⁸ forces. Casey said the time frame for his execution is a matter for Iraqis to decide.

He said Saddam Hussein had been tried and convicted under Iraqi law and the sentence will be administered under a time-line determined⁹ by Iraqis, in a process that had strong U.S. support:

"We think its very important that there be accountability for the crimes that were committed under Saddam's regime," he said. "There's been a trial that's taken place. It's been one that's been conducted under international and Iraqi law."

"A sentence has been handed out and that sentence will be carried out in accordance with Iraqi laws and standards. This is a system that's been set up by Iraqis. It's part of their process and we believe it's something that's part of providing accountability for the crimes of the past regime," he continued.

A senior diplomat¹⁰ who spoke⁷ to reporters here said U.S. officials expect that little time would elapse between the moment Saddam Hussein is handed over to Iraqi authorities and when the death sentence is carried out.

He said despite reports from Baghdad that the execution was close at hand, U.S. officials in Iraq had been given no timetable but that it seemed likely it would occur within the next few days.

Iraq's highest appeals court Tuesday upheld Saddam Hussein's death sentence, handed down November 5 for the 1982 executions of 148 men in the town of Dujail, scene of an attempt on the life on the then-Iraqi president.

The Bush administration stressed the independence of the Iraqi tribunal that tried Saddam Hussein and key associates, though the work of the war crimes panel was heavily underwritten by the United States, and operated in the U.S. protected Green Zone in Baghdad.

The New York-based group Human Rights Watch said earlier this week Saddam Hussein's trial for crimes against humanity was deeply flawed and that the death sentence should not be carried out.

The group said imposing¹¹ a death penalty, indefensible in any case, is especially wrong in light of what it said were unfair proceedings¹² marred¹³ by political interference by Iraqi officials.

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, at the time of the November verdict, commended what she termed the tribunal's professional and impartial¹⁴ deliberations and said the Saddam Hussein verdict was a hopeful reminder¹⁵ that the rule of law can triumph over the rule of fear.

1 condemned   

adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词

参考例句：

• He condemned the hypocrisy of those politicians who do one thing and say another. 他谴责了那些说一套做一套的政客的虚伪。
• The policy has been condemned as a regressive step. 这项政策被认为是一种倒退而受到谴责。

2 preclude   

vt.阻止，排除，防止；妨碍

参考例句：

• We try to preclude any possibility of misunderstanding.我们努力排除任何误解的可能性。
• My present finances preclude the possibility of buying a car.按我目前的财务状况我是不可能买车的。

3 technically   

adv.专门地，技术上地

参考例句：

• Technically it is the most advanced equipment ever.从技术上说，这是最先进的设备。
• The tomato is technically a fruit,although it is eaten as a vegetable.严格地说，西红柿是一种水果，尽管它是当作蔬菜吃的。

4 jurisdiction   

n.司法权，审判权，管辖权，控制权

参考例句：

• It doesn't lie within my jurisdiction to set you free.我无权将你释放。
• Changzhou is under the jurisdiction of Jiangsu Province.常州隶属江苏省。

5 speculation   

n.思索，沉思；猜测；投机

参考例句：

• Her mind is occupied with speculation.她的头脑忙于思考。
• There is widespread speculation that he is going to resign.人们普遍推测他要辞职。

6 swirled   

v.旋转，打旋( swirl的过去式和过去分词 )

参考例句：

• The waves swirled and eddied around the rocks. 波浪翻滚着在岩石周围打旋。
• The water swirled down the drain. 水打着旋流进了下水道。

7 spoke   

n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说

参考例句：

• They sourced the spoke nuts from our company.他们的轮辐螺帽是从我们公司获得的。
• The spokes of a wheel are the bars that connect the outer ring to the centre.辐条是轮子上连接外圈与中心的条棒。

8 coalition   

n.结合体，同盟，结合，联合

参考例句：

• The several parties formed a coalition.这几个政党组成了政治联盟。
• Coalition forces take great care to avoid civilian casualties.联盟军队竭尽全力避免造成平民伤亡。

9 determined   

adj.坚定的；有决心的

参考例句：

• I have determined on going to Tibet after graduation.我已决定毕业后去西藏。
• He determined to view the rooms behind the office.他决定查看一下办公室后面的房间。

10 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

11 imposing   

adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的

参考例句：

• The fortress is an imposing building.这座城堡是一座宏伟的建筑。
• He has lost his imposing appearance.他已失去堂堂仪表。

12 proceedings   

n.进程，过程，议程；诉讼(程序)；公报

参考例句：

• He was released on bail pending committal proceedings. 他交保获释正在候审。
• to initiate legal proceedings against sb 对某人提起诉讼

13 marred   

adj. 被损毁, 污损的

参考例句：

• The game was marred by the behaviour of drunken fans. 喝醉了的球迷行为不轨，把比赛给搅了。
• Bad diction marred the effectiveness of his speech. 措词不当影响了他演说的效果。

14 impartial   

adj.(in,to)公正的，无偏见的

参考例句：

• He gave an impartial view of the state of affairs in Ireland.他对爱尔兰的事态发表了公正的看法。
• Careers officers offer impartial advice to all pupils.就业指导员向所有学生提供公正无私的建议。

15 reminder   

n.提醒物，纪念品；暗示，提示

参考例句：

• I have had another reminder from the library.我又收到图书馆的催还单。
• It always took a final reminder to get her to pay her share of the rent.总是得发给她一份最后催缴通知，她才付应该交的房租。