Comments made by Saddam Hussein

Comments made by Saddam Hussein during his two trials:

"I realize there is pressure on you and I regret that I have to confront one of my sons. But I'm not doing it for myself. I'm doing it for Iraq. I'm not defending myself. But I am defending you." -- December 5, 2005, speaking to judge at his first trial, for killings of 148 Iraqi Shiite Muslims from Dujail.

"I am not afraid of execution." -- December 5, 2005, nearly a year before he was sentenced to death.

"I'm not complaining about the Americans, because I can poke their eyes with my own hands." -- December 21, 2005, after accusing American guards of beating him.

"For 35 years I led you, and you say, 'Eject him?' ... For 35 years, I administered your rights." -- January 29, 2006, to chief judge who ordered Saddam be removed from the courtroom.

"Where is the crime? Where is the crime?" -- March 1, after declaring he ordered trial of 148 Shiites who were eventually executed, because he suspected them of involvement in an assassination attempt.

"I sentence an underage Iraqi to death? I wouldn't do it even if you were to carve my eyes out." -- April 5, in response to accusations some of the Shiites killed were children.

"If you are scared of the interior minister, he doesn't scare my dog." -- April 5, to the chief judge, who asked Saddam not to make political statements about new Iraqi administration.

"I'm Saddam Hussein, president of Iraq. I am above all." -- May 22.

"I ask you being an Iraqi person that if you reach a verdict of death, execution, remember that I am a military man and should be killed by firing squad." -- July 26.

"I am in prison but the knights outside will liberate the country." -- July 26, while arguing with chief judge.

"Not even 1,000 people like you can terrify me." -- July 26, to chief judge.

"Long live the people and death to their enemies!" -- November 5, after being sentenced to death.

"I call on all Iraqis, Arabs and Kurds, to forgive, reconcile and shake hands." -- November 7, at his second trial, where was charged with genocide for a military crackdown on Iraqi Kurds.

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