There should be no haste to execute Saddam: warns Primakov Moscow,

Nov 16 (UNI) Former Russian Prime Minister Yevgeny Primakov has warned Iraq against making any haste to execute Saddam Hussein, saying it will further "destabilise" the situation in the coutry.

''It seems to me that it would be wiser not to rush, especially bearing in mind that the court ruling's hastiness was prompted to a large extent by the mid-term Congressional elections in the US,'' Mr Primakov told Interfax news agency.

''The elections are behind and now this issue does not seem that pressing to the American public opinion,'' he added.

Mr Primakov, a West Asia expert, stressed that Saddam's execution will not stabilise the situation in Iraq.

''I disagree with the experts, mainly the Americans, who believe that Iraq is on the verge of a civil war. What 'verge' are we talking about while, according even to the US estimates, 650,000 people have been killed in the country since the US started the operation?'' he asked.

''You have to admit that the clashes between the Shiites and the Sunnis have grown into a real civil war,'' the former Prime Minister said pointing out the Shiites have had the experience of a regime leaning on the Sunnis, ''but there have not been religious-motivated clashes between the Shiites and the Sunnis since time immemorial.'' He said the Sunnis were given priority to the Shiites in government appointments and had more power under Saddam. So they will interpret Saddam's execution as a blow to their interests, he added.

''This would further fuel disagreement between the Shiites and the Sunnis, because the Shiites will basically support both the death penalty and Saddam Hussein's actual execution,'' Mr Primakov added.

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