Bush changes tone -- but not tactics

  December 20, 2005

GEORGE W. BUSH is a man of many expressions, and what the nation saw on Sunday evening was the face of strategic conciliation. Embattled on multiple fronts, the president struck a humbler, more unifying tone than in his previous nationally televised stay-the-course speeches. Abandoning his usual combativeness, he acknowledged some mistakes, reached out to critics, and asked for the nation's patience as he deals with Iraq.

BAGHDAD, Iraq -

Saddam Hussein launched into an extended outburst at his trial Wednesday, alleging he had been "beaten and tortured by Americans" while in detention after a witness testified that his agents had tortured people by ripping off their skin. The trial's chief prosecutor said that if American-led multinational forces were abusing the former Iraqi leader, he would be transferred to the custody of Iraqi troops.

Deaths

• January 1 - Nawfal Abdel Hussein, council leader in Baquba
• January 2 - Ali Herdan, council member
• January 2 - Colonel Abdel Karim Riyadh, police chief of Jebala
• January 4 - Ali Al-Haidri, governor of Baghdad province
• January 5 - Khalifa Hussein, police chief of Baquba and electoral commission officer
• January 6 - Abdel Karim, police chief of Sadr City
• January 8 - Abboud Khalaf al-Lahibi, deputy secretary-general of the National Front for Iraqi tribes
• January 9 - Colonel Mohamed Mudhafir al-Badri, acting police chief of Samarra
• January 9 - Midhat Jassim Abdul Hassan, official in Iraqi National Accord party
• January 10 - Brigadier Amer, Baghdad deputy police chief
• January 13 - Mouayad Sami, Communist Party member of Diyala council
• January 16 - Younes Idris Al-Hiyali, Mosul Law Council member
• January 17 - Shaker Jabbar Sahl, Shia election candidate
• January 18 - Alaa Hamid, election candidate
• January 25 - Judge Qais Hashim Shameri
• February 12 - Taha al-Amiri, Judge in Basra
• March 4 - Nicola Calipari, Italian secret agent