SADDAM ON TRIAL

Providing justice can be difficult under the best circumstances. The fact that the trial against former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein continues despite the killing of lawyers and plots against judges is remarkable. The fact that Mr. Hussein, after initial outbursts during his court appearances, participates in the proceedings is one sign that Iraq is on its way to establishing a democratic government and court system despite daily attempts to stop the progress.

Even Mr. Hussein’s rants offer perspective on how much the country has changed. During Monday’s brief court appearance, the former ruler complained that he had to walk up four flights of stairs due to a malfunctioning elevator and that American guards treated him roughly. He should consider the alternative. Under his form of justice, he would have been tortured and killed by now. Many Shiites and Kurds, groups that were oppressed by Mr. Hussein want the leader executed. Walking up the stairs and being handcuffed doesn’t seem so bad by comparison.

It is also telling that Mr. Hussein’s defense team gave up a short-lived boycott of the court proceedings after protracted negotiations, led by American officials. The ruler’s attorneys were rightly concerned since two defense lawyers have been killed since the trial started in October. Part of the agreement was beefed up security for the defense team.

A day before Monday’s court proceedings, Iraqi officials announced they had uncovered a plot to kill the judge who prepared the indictment against Mr. Hussein. Eight Sunni Arabs were ar-rested in Kirkuk. They were carrying instructions from a former Hussein top deputy ordering them to kill the judge, a Kirkuk police colonel said.

The judge, Raed Juhi, acknowledged the danger of assassination but vowed to “practice my profession in a way that serves my country and satisfies my conscience.”

The trial against Saddam Hussein was adjourned for a week to allow two of his co-defendants to meet with new lawyers. The trial will resume just 10 days before parliamentary elections, prompting concerns that the new government will seek political gain by airing the alleged crimes of the former regime just before the vote.

It is not a political ploy, however, for Mr. Hussein to be tried for crimes against Iraqis in Iraq by a panel of Iraqi judges. The current trial, which involves the massacre of people in Dujail after an assassination attempt against Mr. Hussein, shows the Iraqi people that they have control over events within their borders.

This is a hopeful sign that a functioning government is emerging despite attempts to fracture and discredit it.