MEDIA REACTION - SADDAM'S DEATH SENTENCE

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 002663

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR R/MR, I/PP, WHA/BSC, WHA/PDA, INR/IAA, PM

STATE FOR INL, INR/R/MR, NEA/IR

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KMDR KPAO OPRC PTER CI IR
SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - SADDAM'S DEATH SENTENCE



1. On December 29, conservative, influential newspaper-of-record "El
Mercurio" (circ. 129,000) carried an editorial entitled, "Saddam's
Execution." Quotes:
"Some believe that Saddam's execution will contribute to pacifying
Iraq because it will eliminate the cause for division. But others
believe his death will only exacerbate violence. The trial was
questionable in the way it was conducted and therefore executing the
sentence will only deepen the feeling of insult of the defeated
Sunnite factions....
European countries...believe it is possible to reach an agreement
with Saddam's supporters and commute the sentence . . . What is
clear at this point is that there are no easy solutions to the
conflict in Iraq and that U.S. policy is falling apart... Saddam
Hussein's execution will not resolve many problems, but it would be
inexplicable and weaken the government of Baghdad not to carry out
the Iraqi tribunal's sentence just because it makes the occupation
forces uncomfortable."

KELLY