Hussein’s Son Debuts in Iraq Parliament

Saddam Hussein’s eldest son, Odai, made his first appearance Sunday in Iraq’s National Assembly since his election in March and urged fellow legislators to take a more active role in government.

No reason has been given for Odai’s absence from the weekly parliamentary sessions since the new parliament convened in April, and he did not offer an explanation. Rumors of ill health have arisen periodically since Odai was seriously injured in a 1996 assassination attempt, but he appeared strong as he strode into the hall.

“We need to have a more active parliament to meet the needs of the people,” he told the assembly, standing to speak in a traditional black robe and a white head scarf.

After the session, Odai told reporters Iraq should become more democratic.

“We are not Americans. . . . We are Arabs with our old traditions and culture, but this fact should not stop us from allowing democracy in the country,” he said. “It is time we open up a little more, within our country’s traditions and culture, in a way that serves the whole society.”

But he still criticized the United States, its Vice President-elect Dick Cheney and U.S. secretary of State nominee Colin Powell.

Cheney and Powell are “well-known to the Iraqi people,” he said. Cheney was defense secretary for President-elect George W. Bush’s father during the 1991 Persian Gulf War, and Powell was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Together, they orchestrated the U.S.-led coalition that pushed Iraq out of Kuwait.

Iraq’s economy has been devastated by U.N. sanctions imposed shortly before the war, and American and British warplanes continue to patrol Iraqi skies.

The country’s National Assembly is dominated by the ruling Baath Party, which controls 165 seats and has alliances with 55 other lawmakers. There are also 30 lawmakers appointed by Saddam Hussein.

Real power, however, is held by the Revolutionary Command Council headed by Saddam Hussein.