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OIC fears rise in violence

P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE: Malaysia, which chairs the Organisation of Islamic Conference (OIC), on Saturday voiced concern that the execution might "intensify the conflict" in Iraq.

The reactions from Governments across East Asia remained largely subdued, because of such concerns or opposition to capital punishment. However, long-time U.S. allies Australia and Japan expressed continued support for the `Government' in Iraq.

While there was no collective OIC statement, Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak said: "It seems the new Iraqi Government has used its right to carry out the death sentence. In principle, we respect what is done by a Government elected by the people. But there are two concerns. One is the process implemented in the court. The other is whether the death sentence that was carried out will intensify the conflict in Iraq."

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe said he "hopes Iraq will [now] turn into a stable country." Japan "will continue supporting" Iraq. Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said Mr. Hussein's "death marks an important step in ... pursuing a process of reconciliation [in Iraq] now and in the future."

In line with Australia's views against death penalty, Mr. Downer said the execution, nevertheless, "is a significant moment in Iraq's history."

Mr. Hussein was "brought to justice following a process of fair trial and appeal, something he denied to countless thousands of victims of his regime."

Australia still has troops in Iraq under the overall U.S. auspices, while Japan, which recently pulled out its non-combat troops from Iraq on completion of their relief mission, continues to extend non-lethal air-logistics support to the forces led by Washington and the United Nations there.

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