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Reactions to Saddam's death sentence
5.11.2006
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BAGHDAD, November
5 - Iraq's government said Saddam Hussein had got
what he deserved when an Iraqi court sentenced him
to hang, but a senior Sunni Arab member of
parliament dismissed Sunday's verdict as political.
"The verdict is as expected," Ali al-Dabbagh,
spokesman for the Shi'ite-led coalition government,
said after the ousted president was sentenced to
death for crimes against humanity.
"This is the least that Saddam deserved because his
crimes were great. No further punishment was
possible."
A senior Sunni Arab parliamentarian, who asked not
be quoted by name for fear of sectarian reprisals,
said, however: "This is a political verdict from a
political court."
Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih, an ethnic Kurd,
told Reuters: "The court has proven to be
professional and just. Saddam was given the justice
he denied to the people of Iraq over 35 years.
"I hope the verdict will bring closure to this
tragic and brutal episode in Iraqi history. We must
never forget and we must always be vigilant never to
let tyranny rise here in Iraq ever again -- but it's
time to move on."
Iraqi President Jalal Talabani has said the trial of
his predecessor Saddam Hussein was "fair" but
refused to comment on the death sentence handed
down, according to an aide.
"The president thinks the court is independent and
the trial was fair, according to the law,"
Talabani's chief of staff, Kamran al-Karadaghi, told
AFP Sunday. |
Iraqi
President : Jalal Talabani, a Kurd
Photo: Military
Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister Barham Salih |
But Talabani, who is currently in France on a visit,
would not be making any statement about the death
sentence delivered against Saddam for crimes against
humanity, Karadaghi said.
"He would not comment because any comment might be
seen as an interference with the court" pending the
appeal period, which runs for a month, Karadaghi
said.
"Until now, the president never signed a death
sentence. Usually, a deputy is authorised to sign on
his behalf," the chief of staff said.
He stressed that Talabani felt he was unable to sign
such an order because he had previously put his name
to an international text against the death penalty
-- "and he says he cannot change his position".
Abdul Aziz al-Hakim, leader of the most powerful
Shi'ite Islamist bloc in the government, praised the
verdict but said now was the time for Iraqis to
unite:
"Saddam is gone ... His tyranny and injustice are
over forever," Hakim told his party's television
channel.
"What happened to him is a lesson for everyone --
all tyrants will get what they deserve at the hands
of those who suffer injustice," said Hakim, who
previously led the Badr Brigade militia, which
fought Saddam from exile in Iran.
"I call on all Iraqis to unite."
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Zalmay Khalilzad says Saddam
Hussein's conviction by an Iraqi court for crimes
against humanity is an "important milestone" for the
country.
Khalilzad says in a statement issued Sunday that
"closing the book" on Saddam gives Iraq an
opportunity to unite and build a better future. He
acknowledged that Iraq may face difficult times in
the coming weeks, in a reference to fears the
verdict will spark a sectarian backlash.
The U.S. ambassador praised the Iraqi judges and
attorneys who worked on the trial for showing
courage in the face of intimidation. He says the
trial demonstrates Iraq's determination to hold
Saddam and his co-defendants accountable for their
crimes.
The White House called the verdict handed down to
former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein on Sunday a
good day for Iraqis.
"It's a good day for the Iraqi people," White House
spokesman Tony Snow said.
Reuters | AFP | VOA
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