The British Prime Minister, Mr Tony Blair, yesterday joined US President Mr George Bush in insisting that the Iraqi people determine the fate of Saddam Hussein, writes Frank Millar in London
The British government made it clear it would accept the outcome of any Iraqi trial, even if that meant Saddam's execution.
In a statement to MPs about the former dictator's capture, Mr Blair said he was confident the survivors of his rule could mount a fair trial. "This is something which in my view should be determined by the Iraqi government and the Iraqi people."
Earlier Mr Blair's official spokesman and the Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, signalled their understanding that this could well mean the death penalty. The spokesman said: "It was the Iraqi people that Saddam Hussein tyrannised so systematically for so long, so our view is that it is fair and just that institutions representing them have the opportunity to try him in Iraq."
Pressed about the UK's position to the death penalty, the spokesman continued: "Our desire and the desire of the United States administration is that his fate should rest with the Iraqi people. If he is tried by institutions representing them, we would obviously have to abide by their rules. Our position on the death penalty is that we do not support it. Were that to be the outcome, that would be something we would have to accept."
This tough approach was also reflected by Mr Straw, who made it clear he was not holding his breath "for any confessional statement" from Saddam.
While the Liberal Democrat leader in the House of Lords, Baroness Shirley Williams, suggested any trial might be under the auspices of the United Nations, Mr Straw played down speculation that Saddam might be brought before the International Criminal Court. The court's statute, he said, specifically stated that where possible war criminals should be tried in local courts.
"Decisions have yet to be taken, but it is very likely that the Iraqis will express a strong preference that any trial should take place within Iraq and under a new Iraqi system of justice."
Asked what he thought would be an appropriate punishment, Mr Straw replied: "The position of the British government and parliament on the death penalty is very clear - we have abolished the death penalty here and oppose its use in other countries. However, it is an obvious reality that the death penalty exists and is used by other countries, including two of the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council. In the end the appropriate punishment is a matter for the sovereign governments and their courts."
Mr Blair told the Commons: "The celebrations on the streets of Baghdad, Basra and all over Iraq show once and for all how delighted the Iraqi people are that Saddam's rule is now history." Referring to yesterday's car bombings there, Mr Blair said: "As we have seen again, the terrorists and Saddam's sympathisers will continue and, though small in number and support, their terrorist tactics will still require vigilance, dedication and determination. But the hope of a new Iraq is now clear and evident to all and the final victory will be theirs, the Iraqi people's."