Tariq Aziz is quoted by his lawyer as saying:

"I reiterate what I declared before in public. I am not prepared to be a witness against anyone, particularly President Saddam Hussein. May God protect him. I'll never say any thing that hurts my conscience and honor."

The lawyer for Aziz, Badia Aref Izzat, says Saddam is being tried with political intention, and claims that there are no fair trials for all the former Iraqi officials.

Saddam is expected to stand trial in September and will face 14 charges.

The main accusations include killing thousands of Kurds, suppressing a Shiite uprising and persecuting religious and political enemies.

Like Saddam, Aziz is answering charges of involvement in the suppressing of a 1991 Shiite uprising that erupted following the Gulf War.