Blogging the IST

BAGHDAD -- Saddam Hussein's trial has started with typical bluster from the former dictator. Primer on the tribunal is here. The time stamps on the entries represent the time on my computer. But the trial tape is delayed by 30 minutes, so take that into account as you read. When something is happening in real time, I'll italicize the entry.

1:07:44 PM When asked for his name, Saddam used the opportunity to make a bombastic statement in which he said he was the president of Iraq and the court was illegitimate.

1:08:11 PM The chief judge, Rizgar Mohammed Amein, a Kurd, has made a smart call and allowed all of the defendants their traditional Arab head gear returned.

1:12:12 PM Big clashes reported near Umm Qurra mosque, headquarters of the hard-line Muslim Clerics' Association. No details yet.

1:17:05 PM Five judges sit in semi-circle at far end of courtroom, with five clerks sitting in front of them Presiding judge is Rizgar Mohammad Amein sitting in middle, other judges not identified. Defendants are in the middle, facing the judges. Saddam is in front on the right. Other defendants include: Awad Hamad Bandar, Taha Yassin Ramadan, Barzan al-Tikriti, Mohammed Azzawi Ali, Ali Dayih Ali, Mizhar Abdullah Kadam a-Roweed, Abdullah Kadam al-Roweed

On judges' right and the defendants' left are the prosecutors, with chief prosecutor Jaafar al-Musawi sitting closest to judges. Three other unnamed prosecutors and a clerk are also at that table

On the judges' left there's the witness stand. After the witness stand are the defense lawyers, sitting in two rows facing the defendants and the prosecution.

2:01:42 PM Jesus, just getting their names is taking forever.

2:06:51 PM Saddam once again takes umbrage with being called "former" president of Iraq. Rebukes the judge. "Those are your words, not mine," he said of the "former" comment. Snap!

2:10:04 PM Saddam has entered a "not guilty" plea for the alleged murders of 143 men and boys in Dujail in 1982.

2:21:57 PM I'm on the second day rotation of the press pool, so if trial runs to tomorrow before a recess, I'll be in the room. Unfortunately, that will mean no real-time blogging because of the restrictions on reporters. We can't bring laptops into the courtroom and there's no connectivity there anyway. Plus, as part of the pool I'm supposed to file all my notes to the pool first before anywhere else.

2:25:56 PM Charges entered. The massacre at Dujail was "deliberate and premeditated."

2:29:25 PM All defendants enter "innocent" plea.

2:40:33 PM My local staff is transfixed by the trial. Y., our IT guy and top-notch translator says, "This makes me feel very comfortable. Looking at those guys sitting in the cage, saying they're innocent." He smiles with lots of teeth. It's not a nice smile. "It's fucking NICE. Great." And he pumps a fist into the other palm.

3:09:05 PM Major technical issues with sound in the courtroom, hampering translation. But the judges seem prepared to rule on whether to grant a delay or not. All signs point to a delay.

3:18:16 PM Trial has been delayed until Nov. 28, answering the defense team's plea.