"The first step has happened," Salem Chalabi, who heads the Iraqi special tribunal that will try Saddam, told The Associated Press Wednesday. "I met with him (Saddam) earlier today to explain his rights and what will happen," Chalabi said.

"Saddam said good morning and asked if he could ask some questions," Chalabi told the Reuters news agency.

"He was told he should wait until tomorrow," said Chalabi.

Some of Hussein's former lieutenants appeared nervous and some were hostile as they were told they would be charged on Thursday, Chalabi said.

Majeed appeared especially rattled. "He looked very scared. He was shaking," Chalabi told Reuters.

U.S. and Iraqi officials familiar with aspects of Hussein's interrogation, which was conducted by the CIA and the FBI, said the former president did not provide extensive information, prompting the White House and the Pentagon to agree to the request for a transfer of legal custody. The officials said some of Hussein's aides had been more cooperative. Although transcripts of their interrogation sessions cannot be admitted as evidence at the tribunal, they can be used to help investigators assemble evidence and locate witnesses.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A16706-2004Jun30?language=printer