Karunanidhi condemns Saddam's execution

Chennai, Dec 30 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi today condemned the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, saying ''it was a judgement in haste and injustice committed in anger.'' In a statement here, the Chief Minister said the US could have been more magnanimous on the ousted leader and avoid incurring the wrath of the masses, instead of displaying its belligerence.

The execution, which should have been averted, made Saddam a warrior, Mr Karunanidhi said.

One could argue that there were heaps of bodies during Saddam's regime, but history has it that Emperor Ashoka reformed himself and turned into a Buddhist only after killing large number of people in the Kalinga war, he observed.

''We still have the Ashoka Symbol in our National Flag,'' he pointed out.

Mr Karunanidhi said the US could have followed the example of Alexander the Great who showed magnanimity to King Porus after defeating him in a war.

Reiterating his opposition to the death penalty, he noted it only prevents victims from repenting and reforming their lives.

''This applies not only to the common people, but to dictators and Saddam too,'' he added.

UNI WS AJ PB BD1938