Opinion - Letters to the Editor   

Saddam's execution

The execution of the deposed Iraqi President, Saddam Hussein, on the sacred day of Id in utter disregard of world opinion is the latest example of American arrogance. It is a hopeless attempt by Washington to cover up the failures of the Bush administration, the most glaring of which was its invasion of Iraq on the false pretext of unearthing weapons of mass destruction.

Wasim Kothiyil,
Kozhikode

* * *

Despite worldwide protests, the Shia-controlled Iraqi court, at the instance of the Bush administration, went ahead with the execution of Saddam Hussein, one time ruler of independent Iraq. What Mr. Bush failed to appreciate was that two wrongs do not make a right. The failure to find WMD cannot be offset by the execution.

A. Saratchandran Menon,
Palakkad

* * *

The U.S.-sponsored Iraq Government not only hanged Saddam without giving him a fair trial but also allowed the execution to be recorded and televised the world over. If the idea of telecasting the images was to browbeat other countries into submission, it misfired. It made Saddam a hero and will fuel the fight against American hegemony.

K.A. Kabeer Padoor,
Thrissur

* * *

Saddam has attained martyrdom, thanks to the great dictator of the world, George W. Bush. Those who approve of the execution endorse Mr. Bush's highhandedness and the liberty he assumed over the affairs in Iraq. They authorise the U.S. to do the same with other countries. Saddam's execution has a worthy lesson for all freedom loving nations — the U.S. is vindictive and will go to any extent to accomplish what it desires.

V.E. Venkataramani,
Chennai

* * *

Instead of apprehending and punishing Osama bin Laden who was behind the killing of American citizens, Mr. Bush chose to hang Saddam who had nothing to do with terrorism and hated Al-Qaeda.

C.P. Anandasubramanian,
Chennai

* * *

Agreed, Saddam was a dictator who perpetrated atrocities against his own countrymen. But at least everyone knew he was a dictator. He did not pretend that he was the choice of his people or that the laws he passed had the consent of the majority. On the other hand, the Americans think they are democratic. They are unaware that they live under a dictatorship.

Sandeep Ghiya,
Mumbai

* * *

Saddam Hussein was a dictator to the core. He invaded Iran. He invaded Kuwait. He wanted to destroy the Kurds. Iraq did not prosper under him; only he and his family did. The fairness of a trial in a crime, especially one that carries the death penalty, is always questioned. A ruler is judged by his deeds. Let us not get excited by the rhetoric of politicians or the media.

Bharat R. Sant,
Hyderabad

* * *

The very people who condemned Saddam for the invasion of Kuwait and umpteen deeds of cruelty have begun to project him as a symbol of Arab nationalism. They forget that he had no qualms about murdering his own sons-in-law. One who commits criminal acts is a criminal and ought to be treated as such. No amount of protests or condemnation of American involvement can exonerate Saddam Hussein.

P.N.P. Nambisan,
Perumbilave, Kerala

* * *

Whether Saddam Hussein deserved capital punishment or not depends on individual viewpoints. The real issue is why was he not transferred to the International Court of Justice to be tried for his crimes against humanity? Like Slobodan Milosevic, the Yugoslav President who was tried in The Hague for similar deeds against Bosnian Muslims, why was Saddam not given a chance to put forward his arguments in an international forum? Why was he handed over to those who the whole world knew would vengefully lynch him? Was it because Saddam did not belong to the race or religion Milosevic or Augusto Pinochet did?

Sham Sankar,
Thiruvananthapuram

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