World Reacts to Saddam Hussein Execution
Following the news that former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, has been executed, church leaders have joined world leaders in reacting to the landmark news.
by Daniel Blake
Posted: Saturday, December 30, 2006, 14:12 (GMT)
Following the news that former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, has been executed in northern Baghdad today, the world's leading figures and organisations have reacted in various ways to the news.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett
Saddam Hussein has been held to account for some of his crimes against the Iraqi people, Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said following the former Iraqi president's execution on Saturday.
"I welcome the fact that Saddam Hussein has been tried by an Iraqi court for at least some of the appalling crimes he committed against the Iraqi people. He has now been held to account," she said in a statement.
However, Saddam's execution has put the British government in a difficult position however because of its opposition to the death penalty.
"The British government does not support the use of the death penalty, in Iraq or anywhere else," Beckett said.
"We advocate an end to the death penalty worldwide, regardless of the individual or the crime. We have made our position very clear to the Iraqi authorities, but we respect their decision as that of a sovereign nation," she said.
"Iraq continues to face huge challenges. But now it has a democratically elected government which represents all communities and is committed to fostering reconciliation. We will continue to work with this government and with the Iraqi people to build security and prosperity for the future," she added.
US President George Bush
The US head was quick to commend the execution, saying: "Today Saddam Hussein was executed after receiving a fair trial - the kind of justice he denied the victims of his brutal regime.
"Saddam Hussein's execution comes at the end of a difficult year for the Iraqi people and for our troops. Bringing [him] to justice will not end the violence in Iraq, but it is an important milestone on Iraq's course to becoming a democracy that can govern, sustain, and defend itself, and be an ally in the war on terror.
"Many difficult choices and further sacrifices lie ahead. Yet the safety and security of the American people require that we not relent in ensuring that Iraq's young democracy continues to progress."
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The comments below are readers' personal opinions and are in no way intended to reflect the editorial opinion of Christian Today.
Added: Wednesday, January 3, 2007, 22:04 (GMT)
What happened to the teachings of Christ,regarding,in particular,forgiveness and reconciliation?Christ's stance on the subject of capital punishment was distinctly anti death penalty-"let he who is without sin cast the first stone..." Also "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away...","Vengeance is mine Sayeth the Lord..." It is up to God NOT man ,to pass final judgement and to end life.
Claire Wilcox, Portsmouth,UK
Added: Saturday, December 30, 2006, 23:05 (GMT)
Regarding the right or wrong of the death penalty, I believe that it is solidly rooted in the priniciples of justice expoused in the Bible. The Old Testement is clear on the subject. Christ taught compassion and humility in our interpersonal dealings, but he never advocated doing away with capital punishment which was the law and custom in His day. The Apostle Paul stated that "the magistrate does not bear the sword in vain?" when discussing one's duty to obey civil authority. Why do we suppose it is in only in the wisdom of the last 100 years or so that this well established standard is under attack? Has mankind suddenly learned something that humans couldn't figure out for the millennia before? Anyone who takes another's life in a premediated manner should be under the realization that the penalty for doing so is the forfeture of his/her on life. To do otherwise is to cheapen the value of human life and to put at risk the lives of potential victims. Would-be perpertrators would think twice before committing such crimes if they knew their fate was a swift and certain appointment with the executioner. The old English adage that "Nothing concentrates the mind better than to know one will be hung in a fortnight." is difficult to deny.
David Biles, Tomball, TX, USA
Added: Saturday, December 30, 2006, 16:44 (GMT)
Just 2 More dictators Left.... Then The world Is A BETTER Place for EVERYONE......
Jason Lee, Unknown
