MEDIA REACTION - SADDAM'S EXECUTION

UNCLAS SANTIAGO 000020 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 IZ SUBJECT: MEDIA REACTION - SADDAM'S EXECUTION On January 4, conservative, afternoon "La Segunda" (circ. 33,000) carried an editorial entitled "Saddam Hussein's End." Quote: "The mistakes and excesses committed during the hanging of the ex Iraqi dictator may be why the execution of two of his collaborators...has been postponed until next Sunday.... President Bush's remarks referring to the death of Saddam Hussein as an important milestone in Iraq's path toward democracy underestimates the reactions of the Sunni minority who supported him.... The key to the future lies in the ability of Iraqis to achieve a common mission separate from that of the occupying military power or political practices imposed from outsiders.... Avoiding a broader conflict... requires the cooperation of moderate Islamic forces and understanding by foreign nations that besides guaranteeing peace, they should allow domestic political development to take place under normal conditions.... Thus, it is important that after his tragic ending, Saddam's image does not become a symbol of independence." YAMAUCHI