President Hails Capture, Says Saddam Will Face Justice

The president said in remarks directed to the Iraqi people, ”You will not have to fear the rule of Saddam Hussein ever again.”

The president added Saddam’s capture “marks the end of the road for him and all who killed and bullied in his name.”

Despite the successful capture of the former Iraqi despot, the president also warned that Saddam’s capture “does not mean the end of violence in Iraq. We still face terrorists who would rather go on killing the innocent than accept the rise of liberty in the heart of the Middle East.”

Saddam was captured by U.S. forces around 8 p.m. local time Saturday in the village of Adwar, a few miles south of his hometown of Tikrit.

President Bush first heard the news of Saddam’s capture at around 3 p.m. Saturday when Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld called him at the Camp David presidential retreat in Maryland.

Rumsfeld prefaced the news with a warning that the first reports aren’t always accurate, said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

“This sounds like it’s going to be good news,” Mr. Bush said, according to the Associated Press, which cited McClellan’s version of the conversation. Rumsfeld then told the president that U.S. commanders in Iraq were reporting the capture of Saddam. “That is good news,” Bush replied.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., echoed President Bush’s remarks. Frist called the capture “a remarkable day for the world” and “probably the single most dramatic step in this war,” during an appearance on Fox News Sunday. Frist said the United States still faces the challenge of helping Iraq rebuild.

House Majority Leader Tom DeLay, R-Texas, said, “Today is a heroic day for the people of Iraq and the cause of human freedom. Saddam’s capture marks the ‘end of the beginning’ of the struggle for free Iraq.”

A number of the Democratic presidential candidates made statements regarding Saddam’s capture. Most congratulated U.S. forces and the Iraqi people while urging that the United States seek more international cooperation in Iraq.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., called the capture “a great day for U.S. forces, the Iraqi people and the world.”

Kerry also said U.S. difficulties in Iraq weren’t caused by Saddam alone and said the Bush administration “can and must launch a major effort to gain international support and win the peace.”

Former Ambassador Carol Moseley Braun said Saddam’s capture is good news but “does not change the fact that our troops remain in harm’s way and we are no closer to bringing them home.”

Rep. Richard Gephardt, D-Mo., made reference to his support of the congressional resolution that gave President Bush broad authority to wage war in Iraq.

“Today is a great day for our troops, the Coalition forces and the people of Iraq,” Gephardt said. “I supported this effort in Iraq without regard for the political consequences because it was the right thing to do. I still feel that way now and today is a major step toward stabilizing Iraq and building a new democracy.”

Gephardt added that Americans “need a president who has the credibility to unite the American people and our allies in an effort to make our nation and our world safe.”

Sen. Joe Lieberman, D-Conn., a staunch supporter of the war to oust Saddam, was effusive in his comments.

“Hallelujah, praise the Lord. This is something that I have been advocating and praying for for more than 12 years, since the Gulf War of 1991,” the presidential contender said. “Saddam Hussein was a homicidal maniac, a brutal dictator, who wanted to dominate the Arab world and was supporting terrorists.”

Lieberman said that Saddam should face the death penalty and should be tried before an Iraqi or U.S. military tribunal. Lieberman further urged that the United States seek more international cooperation for the rebuilding effort in Iraq.

Lieberman also criticized the Democratic front-runner, former Vermont Gov. Howard Dean, for his harsh criticism of President Bush and the war.

“This news also makes clear the choice the Democrats face next year,” said Lieberman. “If Howard Dean had his way, Saddam Hussein would still be in power today, not in prison, and the world would be a more dangerous place.”

For his part Dean congratulated U.S. troops and the Iraqi people and said the United States must move to find more international help with the rebuilding effort.

“This development provides an enormous opportunity to set a new course and take the American label off the war,” Dean said. “We must do everything possible to bring the U.N., NATO, and other members of the international community back into this effort.”

Retired Gen. Wesley Clark praised the abilities of U.S. forces.

“I could not be prouder of the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces for capturing this horrible despot. This is a testament to their courage and determination,” Clark said. “We’ve been due good news from Iraq, and the world is a safer and better place now that he is in custody.”

Sen. John Edward, D-N.C., also expressed pride in the work of U.S. forces and urged President Bush to seek more international cooperation in Iraq.

“We are all so proud of their efforts not just today, but every day as they work tirelessly to bring democracy to Iraq,” Edwards said. “I hope President Bush will use this opportunity to chart a course in Iraq that will bring in our allies in a meaningful way to achieve a democratic and peaceful Iraq.”