MEDIA REACTION: SADDAM'S CAPTURE

UNCLAS KATHMANDU 002509 SIPDIS STATE FOR INR/R, R/MR, I/RW, I/REC; PA, SA/PPD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: OPRC KMDR NP SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION: SADDAM'S CAPTURE "Saddam s capture and after" Editorial in the centrist "Kathmandu Post" (E/D, 12/24) by senior journalist M.R. Josse: " The saga of Saddam Hussein s capture has all the ingredients of a parable handed down from one generation to the next. Indeed, the tale of a once-mighty ruler who evades a conquering army for months by hiding in a hole has an unmistakable Biblical ring to it " A LAMB, NOT LION " 'The butcher of Baghdad' who exhorted his followers to become martyrs in a jihad against the American infidel went to them as meekly as a lamb! Although he possessed a pistol and two AK-47s, he opted to save his skin " WHAT KIND OF TRIAL " International human rights groups, aware of the limitations in the experience of the Iraqi judiciary, call for international judges to have a role in the trial. Yet, anything other than an Iraqi trial will greatly erode its credibility and effectiveness, attributes absolutely vital for real progress towards meaningful self- rule for Iraqis " BUSH: BOON OR BANE? " Bush s re-election prospects have been enhanced considerably by Saddam being nabbed [It] needs also to be factored into calculation is the unexpected, success which Bush (and his faithful ally Tony Blair) has demonstrated in getting Libya s strongman Moamer Kadhafi to renounce all weapons of mass destruction, following nine months of secret negotiations between Tripoli, SIPDIS Washington and London. Clearly, Bush is not altogether the duffer he is often made out to be." MALINOWSKI