Many Americans disapprove death penalty:Kelly

Patna, Jan 20 (UNI) The execution of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussain, which generated much heat internationally, was legal under Iraqi law but many Americans disapprove of it, Director and Public Affairs Officer, American Center Kolkata, Douglas G. Kelly said here today.

Mr Kelly told newspersons that many Americans disapproved death penalty and some states in USA did not promote it. But in some other states it was legal, he said.

Regarding execution of the former Iraqi dictator he said Saddam was a 'terrible dictator' but there are many who differ on what should have been done about the death penalty.

Mr Kelly, however, pointed out that the decision to execute Saddam Hussain was taken by Iraq where death penalty is legal.

Regarding death penalty he said it depended on where the crime was committed and whether or not such a penalty was possible. ''Life imprisonment is a final verdict in some states for terrible crimes like murder, whereas in other states it is death penalty,'' he said adding that Americans disagree with each other on the issue.

Mr Kelly further said most Americans were shocked when they heard about and saw the tape of Saddams execution and many people disapprove it as they felt it was a cruel activity.

Asked whether there would be a dictator in America he said Americans were free to vote and many people within the country were in disagreement with government policies. That the Democrats captured the senate in the House of Representatives in the November 2006 elections indicated that people were sending their votes against American policies, he opined.

UNI