TORONTO, May 21, 2003 -- Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf, the former Iraqi Minister of Information, having been called to the bar of the Law Society of Upper Canada is now a practising lawyer. Unknown to his former boss, Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, al-Sahaf had been working toward his Canadian law degree for some time.
Brian B. Lawless, the law society's head legal recruiter, said he welcomes the addition to his team.
"We are always looking for new lawyers who can honestly believe what they are saying," he said, "especially in the face of evidence that clearly proves them wrong."
Al-Sahaf said he was happy to be accepted and declared in advance, "All of my clients -- past, present and future -- are innocent! There is no proof now, as there never will be, of any wrongdoing by my clients!"
Al-Sahaf credits U.S. lead attorney Robert Shapiro, best known for defending accused murderer O.J. Simpson, for inspiring him to become a lawyer.
When asked why he chose Canada, al-Sahaf said: "Where else in the world would I be able to have my mentor also be the leader of the country?"