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Iraqis Are Split Over Fate of Saddam

Posted on: Tuesday, 6 December 2005, 15:00 CST

By Leigh Dethman Deseret Morning News

NORTH ARABIAN GULF -- Iraqi sailors and marines are split on the proper punishment for Saddam Hussein.

The former Iraqi leader and seven co-defendants face a possible death sentence if found guilty in the 1982 massacre in Dujail, in which more than 140 Shiites were killed.

Even on the high seas, Saddam's trial is the main topic of conversation. Sailors aboard an Iraqi navy patrol boat planned their day so they could watch the trial on television in the ship's lounge.

Hours before the trial was set to resume Monday, several Iraqi sailors disagreed on how Saddam should be punished for his crimes. In their minds, he is already guilty without a final order from the court.

Lt. Mustafa, a 31-year-old navy officer from Basra who was one of several Iraqis who declined to give their full names for security reasons, said Iraqis are divided into two groups: those who want the death penalty and those who want Saddam to live and suffer the humiliation of seeing his own country flourish under democracy.

"For me, humiliation for Saddam is enough," Mustafa said.

Not Majed, a 24-year-old Iraqi marine from Basra. He wants Saddam to suffer the death penalty for his crimes. He wants revenge for his family.

During Saddam's regime, three of Majed's cousins were executed, he said.

Sinan, the commanding officer of an Iraqi patrol boat, agrees, as well as much of his crew. Like Majed's family, members of Sinan's family were killed during Saddam's regime.

"I hope to capsize him, kill him," the 26-year-old said of his former leader. "We have suffered a lot from the old government."

Monday's trial proceedings, which were watched on TV by the Iraqi sailors, were punctuated by vocal outbursts by Saddam and his half brother, Barazan. At one point, the pair chanted, "Long live Iraq, long live the Arab state."

Saddam at one point also spoke with disdain regarding the laws governing the court's actions. "This is a law made by America and does not reflect Iraqi sovereignty," he said.

Several Iraqi sailors and marines watching the trial said their country still needs the presence of U.S. troops. The training they are receiving from the American military is needed to keep peace and secure the country's economic future, Sinan said.

Additionally, the country is so unstable that Iraqi forces need the Americans' help, he said.

"The situation in Iraq now is not too good," Sinan said. "The coalition forces (should) assist us and stay in Iraq. It's better to stay now."

Contributing: Hamza Hendawi, Associated Press

E-mail: ldethman@desnews.com

Deseret Morning News reporter Leigh Dethman and photographer Keith Johnson are traveling in the Middle East with the Naval Expeditionary Logistics Support Force. They will visit Utah-based military personnel in Kuwait, Bahrain, Iraq and on various Navy vessels.

Source: Deseret News (Salt Lake City)

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