Saddam trial date dismissed as 'posturing'

Iraqi authorities have set October 19 as the date for the start of the trial of Saddam Hussein, an official said. A Western diplomat discounted the report as "posturing".

The official, who spoke yesterday on condition of anonymity because he is not authorised to make the formal announcement, said authorities wanted the trial to start soon after Iraqis finish the referendum on the new constitution October 15.