MANAGUA, Nicaragua (AP) – Saddam Hussein still has at least one friend abroad: Former Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega expressed support for the ousted Iraqi leader, saying Friday it would be a "barbarity" to force him to stand trial under U.S. occupation.
Ortega, the leader of the Soviet-backed Sandinista government that governed Nicaragua in the 1980s, said a trial for Saddam would only be appropriate if Iraqis overthrew him.
"We maintain our solidarity with the Iraqi people and with Saddam Hussein, who continues to be the president of Iraq," Ortega said. "A barbarity is being committed because he is being judged by a government of occupation headed by a Yankee."
U.S. officials have said they will turn Saddam over to Iraqi authorities for trial, but have not said when that would take place or what charges he would face.
Ortega's Sandinista government fought a civil war against Contra rebels trained and supported by the CIA. Since losing a 1990 election, the former president has veered between fierce criticism of the United States and attempts to improve relations.
During an unsuccessful presidential campaign in 2001, Ortega even waved an American flag from the podium as a sign of reconciliation.
Shortly after losing power, Ortega traveled to Baghdad to express support for Saddam, who was facing a U.S.-led military buildup before the first Gulf War. Ortega met again with Saddam in 1993, saying he hoped to help end the country's international isolation.
© 2003 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Editor's note:
The Iraqi "Deck of Death" playing cards – Get yours today!
Read more on this subject in related Hot Topics:
Latin America
Saddam Hussein/Iraq
War on Terrorism
Print Page 
Forward Page 
