Japanese publisher to sell Saddam Hussein's novel

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Tokyo (dpa) - A fictional story written by former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is expected to be offered for sale at Japanese bookstores next week, the book's publisher said Friday.

Saddam completed writing the novel, Devil's Dance, in March 2003, just before the United States invaded his country.

Japan's Tokuma Shoten Publishing Company said it will begin selling the book next Friday in a version translated from Arabic to Japanese. The selling price will be 1,500 yen (14 dollars).

The story is set near the Euphrates River and tells a story about a tribesmen's life more than 1,500 years ago. Hussein's daughter brought out the original text from under fire after the US attack, according to the publisher.

"I think the former president expected a loss (to the US-led coalition forces) and was writing this novel as a message aimed at raising morale among Iraqi people," said the translator, Itsuko Hirata, who suggested to the publisher that Saddam's book be printed in Japan.

The publisher is not backing up Saddam's views in any way, Koichi Chikaraishi at Tokuma Publishing told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa on Friday.

"We are not trying to speak for Hussein by publishing his book," Chikaraishi said. "But the story helps (us) understand the people of Iraq and how they think."

Saddam, who was detained by US forces in December 2003, is accused of crimes against humanity and is standing trial in Baghdad.