Saddam should go on trial in Iraq, says Straw

The British Foreign Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, has reiterated his government's desire to see former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein stand trial in his own country.

Speaking in Dublin today following separate meetings with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Cowen, Mr Straw said the deposed dictator, who was captured by US forces last weekend, should be dealt with by his own people.

"We believe the decisions about the future of Saddam Hussein should rest primarily with the Iraqi people," Mr Straw said. "If the Iraqis make a decision to put him on trial, that trial will be free, will be fair, will be subject to all the human rights he always denied to his own victims.

"Can I also make it clear that under international law, the statute of the International Criminal Court, there is a presumption that sovereign nations should ensure that war criminals should be arraigned for trial within their own domestic courts and tribunals." Only when such a court is not available should an international trial be set up, he added.

When asked if he approved of the death penalty being meted out to Saddam, he said the British government is opposed to the death penalty "in all circumstances".

He said parliament had abolished the death penalty in Britain and was opposed to its use in other countries.

"However, it is also a reality that the death penalty exists and is used by other countries, including being actively used by two of the five permanent members of the UN."