BBC NEWS | Middle East | US 'concealing' Saddam's secrets

BBC NEWS | Middle East | US 'concealing' Saddam's secrets:

"Iraq's justice minister has accused the US of concealing information about deposed president Saddam Hussein that could be damaging to 'many countries'.

Abdel Hussein Shandal said it seemed there were 'lots of secrets' that the Americans wanted to hide.

Saddam Hussein is set to go on trial in Iraq over alleged crimes against humanity, but no date has been set.

Mr Shandal spoke to the AP news agency on the eve of a major conference. US officials did not immediately comment.

'There should be transparency and there should be frankness, but there are secrets that, if revealed, won't be in the interest of many countries,' Mr Shandal said.

'Who was helping Saddam all those years?'

US concerns

Saddam Hussein is officially in Iraqi custody but is being guarded by US troops at a secret location."