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Capture raises questions about the future of Iraq

More nations celebrated the capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein yesterday but the jubilation was tinged with questions about the way forward in Iraq, and many called on the US to quickly end its occupation of the country.

Even France, Russia, Germany and the world's most populous Muslim nation, Indonesia, all fierce opponents of the US-led war to oust Saddam, lauded his arrest by American forces who seized him on Saturday without firing a shot.

"This is a major event which should strongly contribute to the democratization and the stabilization of Iraq and allow the Iraqis to once more be masters of their destiny in a sovereign Iraq," said French President Jacques Chirac.

Congratulations heaped on US President George W. Bush for the stunning coup thrilled the US leader, who said Saddam would now face the justice he "denied to millions" but that his capture did not mean the end of violence in the chaotic country.

China said the arrest would help bring stability to Iraq.

"We hope that the latest development of the situation in Iraq is conducive to the Iraqi people taking their destiny into their own hands, and to realizing peace and stability in Iraq," the official news agency, Xinhua, quoted Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Jianchao (劉建超), as saying.

German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder saluted Bush by telegram and urged greater efforts to mend the shattered state.

"Saddam Hussein caused horrible suffering to his people and the region. I hope the capture will help the international community's effort to rebuild and stabilize Iraq," he wrote.

Britain, Spain, Poland, Australia and other countries that backed the war and sent troops to Iraq hailed the capture.

"Until he was finally killed or captured, there was always the fear he would come back. This will lift an enormous psychological burden off the Iraqi people," Australian Prime Minister John Howard said.

South Korea welcomed the news, which came hours after its government made a final decision to send 3,000 troops to Iraq.

"Our government hopes it will help eradicate terrorism in Iraq in the future and bring about political stability and better living conditions for the Iraqi people and accelerate post-war recovery, reconstruction and peace," South Korea's Foreign Ministry spokesman Shin Bong-kil said in a statement.

A spokesman for UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan said the arrest could give fresh impetus to efforts to pacify Iraq.

In Washington, a US State Department spokesman said Secretary of State Colin Powell received congratulatory telephone calls from more than a dozen foreign ministers and diplomats.

Powell told his counterparts that Saddam's capture was a major political and psychological milestone, but reminded them there was a lot of tough work ahead and that he welcomed the efforts of the international community to help Iraqis, the spokesman said.

Saddam's arrest is a boon for Bush after attacks on US forces and their allies that have increased over the months since the former Iraqi leader's ousting on April 9.

Bush's staunchest ally, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, was one of the first to confirm the arrest.

"Let this be more than a moment for simply rejoicing. Let it be a moment to reach out and reconcile," he said.

Iran joined in the call for the fallen dictator to pay for what he had done.

"Saddam should be prosecuted because of the crimes he has committed against the Iraqi and Iranian people," Vice President Mohammad Ali Abtahi said.
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