TN CM, Jaya, leaders of political parties condemn execution

Chennai, Dec 30 (UNI) Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, former Chief Minsiter J Jayalalithaa and leaders of various political parties today condemned the execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain, while the Left parties and Muslim organisations staged protest demonstrations and burnt American flags.

Flaying the US for not showing magnanimity to the fallen leader, Mr Karunanidhi, in a statement described the execution as ''judgment in haste and injustice committed in anger.'' The US could have been magnanimous like Alexander the Great, who showed mercy to King Porus, he noted.

''Even Emperor Ashoka had reformed and turned a Budhist only after taking away a large number of lives in the Kalinga war, '' he said adding Saddam could have been allowed to repent and reform in his life.

Ms Jayalalithaa, coming down heavily on the US President George Bush, said the execution was an ''outrageous act, meticulously and successfully perpetrated to the full satisfaction of the US President.'' As news of the execution broke out this morning, supporters of Saddam, including members of Tamil Nadu Muslim Munnetra Kazhagam (TMMK) burnt American flags and an effigy of Mr Bush at various points in the state and courted arrest.

In the city, more than 1,000 activists of the Left parties, TMMK, Democratic Youth Federation, Students Federation of India and Islamic Jananayaka Party were arrested when they attempted to picket the American Consulate, defying prohibitory orders.

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