GENEVA (AFP) - The
United Nations top human rights official has called on
Iraq not to execute two aides to former president
Saddam Hussein, saying concerns over the trial process also applied in their cases.

New U.N. Chief Defends Death Penalty for Hussein

By Colum Lynch
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, January 3, 2007; Page A15

UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 2 -- U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki Moon said Tuesday that Iraq and other countries have the right to impose the death penalty, adding that the world should never forget Saddam Hussein's "heinous crimes."