How should Saddam's capture be handled?

Saddam's capture is "just a matter of time" as more Iraqis are giving information about his whereabouts since the death of his sons, says America's top soldier, General Richard Myers.

The killings of five US soldiers looking for Saddam Hussein cannot be linked to the killings of Uday and Qusay, says US Central Command.

But displaying the dead brothers caused great offence to some by contravening Muslim burial traditions, and Uday and Qusay's deaths may now be turned into symbols of Iraqi resistance.

If Saddam is apprehended, how should it be handled? Should he be treated in the same way as his sons, or should he be arrested? If he is killed, could it end the Iraqi resistance and save the lives of coalition soldiers?

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The following comments reflect the balance of views we have received:

It is better to know the state of mind of such a tyrant Ed Gilman, USA

Saddam should never be killed. It is better to know the state of mind of such a tyrant as Saddam. His people need to see him alive and being prosecuted - to see and hear him speak, and be executed by the laws of his own making. Because if he is killed like his sons, more Iraqis will never believe that he is dead. Tyrants like Saddam, Taylor, Sankoh, and others should all be put on trial.
Ed Gilman, USA

Why should the world worry what happens to Mr. Saddam Hussein. What to become of him is an internal political or judicial affair of the independent Republic of Iraq of which he is a citizen. The Americans or others have no right to go around with the competition `Who wants to be the Saddam Slayer'.
Sham, India

Saddam needs to be brought to justice! If he were to be killed off like his sons, then I am afraid that he would get off easy. Putting him to trial, and jailing him for life would not make him into a martyr.
Rami Saaloukeh, Canada

Only his death can free the Iraqi people Pauline, London

Uday and Qusay are two human weapons of mass destruction now put beyond use. Saddam is a third. Only his death can free the Iraqi people from his reign of terror.
Pauline, London

Take him alive; we can't allow ourselves to lower our standards. If when closing down on him he takes his own life, then so be it, but keeping him alive and in prison would serve as a better warning to others.
Gary Coates, England

Try him "in absentia" in The Hague and carry out the sentence when he's caught. I'm sure a firing squad could quickly be found.
John R Smith, UK

The Iraqi people should try Saddam Ala, UK

The Iraqi people should try Saddam. The Iraqi Governing Council has already created a court of justice. So, let the Iraqis have a chance to express their rights and represent the hundreds of thousands of victims who were killed by Saddam the butcher and his killers.
Ala, UK

Who made you the judge who decides somebody else's fate?
Sattar, pakistan

Saddam should be eliminated in the same way as his sons were Tony Williams, Hong kong

Saddam should be eliminated in the same way as his sons were, or as any dictator in the mould of Mussolini, Hitler, Ceausescu would deserve. However, Saddam's death will not end the Iraqi resistance in the short term.
Tony Williams, Hong kong

I think the entire war was a huge and tragic mistake. The only good that can come out of it now is Saddam's death. All the bleeding-hearts who say we are not civilized if we fail to capture him alive are dreaming. Saddam will shoot himself before he becomes America's prisoner, and I say let him do it. It's just too bad so many others had to die to make one man's death reality.
Jeremy, USA

If possible, Saddam should be captured alive which of course is going to be a difficult task for the coalition force. Yes, killing or capturing Saddam will end the Iraqi resistance and save the lives of many coalition soldiers.
Walter Tavares, Canada

The sooner he is captured or killed, the sooner the Iraqi people can start a new life John Bennett, England

Why does Saddam talk to his people about faith in God? The man is a evil tyrant; both he and his sons killed thousands of their own innocent people. The sooner he is captured or killed, the sooner the Iraqi people can start a new life.
John Bennett, England

He should be tried by the Iraqis he tortured, and then put to death.
Jihad Johnny, USA

Let the Iraqi families who have lost loved ones to this evil man, deal with him. Justice will be served.
Debbie, USA

The people of Iraq should have the last say on what to do with Saddam Phyllisia Jackson Irshad, United States

The people of Iraq should have the last say on what to do with Saddam. After all, they are the ones who have suffered all these years under his leadership. Take a poll of the people in Iraq and get their opinions and let them know we are behind them one hundred per cent. We also need to try and establish leaderships in each community in Iraq. The country belongs to the Iraqi people and we need to remember that and not let Saddam and his legacy be remembered as just a side show.
Phyllisia Jackson Irshad, United States

Being a humanitarian aid worker in Iraq right now if you ask me personally I will put the refugees crises, electricity problems, providing safe drinking water [and most of the cases access to water itself], medical facilities in hospital, building up the public works departments, taking care of the wages issues etc. as the TOP MOST priority for the civilians to focus on. Saddam's brutal regime is gone no doubt about it and military is capable enough to get hold of him, same as his sons. Guys in front are doing a highly commendable job and we have a faith in them!!!
Frankie, India

To kill him would only serve to enshrine his legacy as the one who stood up to the Americans Shabber Abbas, USA

Saddam Hussein defied the fundamentals of human rights and terrorized his people. However, to kill him after having won the war would only serve to enshrine his legacy as the one who stood up to the Americans. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the UN and the American forces to arrest him alive and bring him to justice for his role in terrorizing innocent Iranians, Kuwaitis, and most importantly his own Iraqis.
Shabber Abbas, USA

Saddam should be captured alive to tell us where those WMD are which coalition forces thought he had them. You wonder why we had to kill even his sons when we could have easily captured them, surrounded in a house by over few hundreds well armed army forces, wouldn't that helped us to find out the WMD? But then again, maybe we do believe that there are no WMD and it was just an excuse to invade the country and now we have to kill the dictator to win the heart & minds of Iraq population.
Khodam Rostami, USA

I believe Saddam Hussein should be treated the same as any other enemy soldier. However, personally, I hope he is not taken alive. If taken alive he will be turned over to lawyers and by the time they're through it will have cost the taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars; journalists will champion his cause; the Pope will attempt to intervene; and in the end he will get little more than a reprimand and be out on probation in 12 years.
Steve Jones, USA

As Mr. Milosevic, Mr. Hussein will probably stand a marathon trial for war crimes, "should" he be captured alive. As Mr. Milosevic, he will probably deny everything, plead insanity and ring up an enormous bill in health care, in an attempt to prolong the trial. After time, the world will become disinterested in this man and he will just fade away in prison, leaving behind death and destruction on the one hand and a long winded, pointless war trial on the other.
Florance, France

I don't believe there is anyone who would deny that execution is the proper punishment for Saddam Hussein Justin, USA

Well, I don't believe there is anyone who would deny that execution is the proper punishment for Saddam Hussein. However, some are adamant about there being a trial to make him "answer" for his crimes. If the outcome is of a trial is definitely going to be execution, why bother with the pretence of a trial in the first place? Because it makes us look like a democratic society? Why does he deserve better treatment that what he dished out to his own people? The most important thing is finding Saddam. It doesn't really matter if he's alive or not.
Justin, USA

If Saddam can be captured alive he definitely SHOULD NOT go anywhere near a European or international court. He'd probably only get a few weeks of community service as his sentence. Ideally Saddam should be tried by the Iraqi people. But he probably will go down shooting just like his sons since the US troops aren't going to unnecessarily risk their lives just so he can appear in a courtroom.
Tom, USA

If and when Saddam is captured, the UN should organize a live TV debate between Saddam, George Bush and Tony Blair and it should be broadcast worldwide. Readers should remember that Saddam offered to engage in a dialogue with the coalition leaders prior to the US led invasion of Iraq. After the debate, Saddam can be punished for the crimes he has committed in the region while Bush and Tony Blair can be put behind bars for waging an illegal war. This would apply closure to the whole Gulf War chapter and help in healing wounds on both sides of the divide.
M.T.Ansari, Canada

Saddam will be caught soon Hamid Alkifaey, UK

Saddam will be caught soon. If he resists, he should be killed. If not, he should be captured and put on trial so that he will answer for the 2 million Iraqis who have been killed during his years in power. As far as I am aware, there is nothing in Islam that contravenes displaying bodies for identification purposes. Uday and Qusay and their father killed at least 3 million Muslims. Muslim sympathies should be with the Iraqi victims of Saddam and his sons, not with the criminals.
Hamid Alkifaey, UK

There is no difference between Saddam and Milosevic of Yugoslavia both are criminals and Saddam should face the same fate.
Kamal Salih, Sudan

How we treat our enemies determines what kind of people we are.
Andrew, UK

US should now concentrate on the welfare of the ordinary Iraqi people Shah, Pakistan

Killing or capturing Saddam should not be a major issue now. US objectives of regime change have been achieved; WMD was an excuse for invasion. US should now concentrate on the welfare of the ordinary Iraqi people who have been suffering for over a decade both from sanctions and Saddam's regime.
Shah, Pakistan

I expect that the US will make sure that Saddam is not taken alive. The way they shot up the cars that drove by the house they raided in Baghdad a few days ago indicates a shoot first approach, similar to how they killed Saddam's sons.
Joe Brennan, Ireland

Saddam must and will be caught Tom Pearson, Great Britain

Saddam must and will be caught. What an atrocity it would be to let his evil be left unpunished.
Tom Pearson, Great Britain

After reading the posts it occurred to me that I could probably guess the ones which came from people who supported the war and those who did not! I would hazard a guess that no matter what he will not be taken alive. The members of the coalition will not allow it. Too much to lose!
Bob, USA

To kill him is to ignore the concept of justice Laurence Cunnigham, Australia

He should be arrested and tried in an international court. To kill him is to ignore the concept of justice and the need for people to see justice being served. If we don't apply this basic tenant of "civilised" society, what does it tell our children?
Laurence Cunnigham, Australia

Don't waste our time or energy on being "fair" with this type of person. Evil should never be allowed to live or receive any form of "justice".
Karole Ball, Canada

Saddam should be taken alive if possible. It is unlikely that he will give up without a fight. If he resists he should be taken out. His death will not end the resistance but a quick (two years) and effective rebuilding of their institutions will.
Trevor Mathurin, USA

The Iraqi people celebrated when the brothers were killed and will do likewise when Saddam is dead. The Iraqi people are overwhelmingly grateful for being liberated and are not rising up to oust the Coalition forces.
Jim Riedmann, USA

In reply to Mr. Jim Riedmann, USA: I want to say as an Iraqi I do not feel grateful to the Americans for removing Saddam's regime because they put him in power in the first place and watched in silence as he killed all those innocents
Hadil Bakir, UK

The US got rid of the Taleban in Afghanistan, and let Bin Laden escape. They got rid of the Ba'ath party in Iraq and have not yet got Saddam. So if this is the correct strategy for the war on terror, why is it worse now than ever before? The Americans have a lot to learn about fighting a war on terror; they should take some advice from the UK on whether occupation works (Ireland and India).
Colin Heyes, UK citizen in Germany

Saddam must be caught alive Yasmin, Zurich

Saddam must be caught alive to face all his crimes and pay for all the horrible things he has done to so many people. He is a coward and as all cowards he will make sure he is not caught alive.
Yasmin, Zurich

Both the US Marines and the Royal Marines must do their best and God will do the rest to catch Saddam Hussein alive, and he be handed to the international court of justice to answer for his deeds.
Mainole Mogwera, Botswana

Killing Saddam will do nothing to stop the attacks on US forces. The Iraqi attackers hate their invaders, whether Saddam is dead or alive. Also, assassination is illegal under international law, not that that will stop the US.
Ian, UK

Killing Saddam will do nothing to halt the growing attacks being perpetrated daily upon the American forces. The bottom line is that Islamic extremism was reined in by Saddam. With his removal it is now able to manifest itself unchecked; the difference being, however, that Saddam is no longer the target but the perceived allies of Israel and occupiers. Until the Americans start to appreciate the many colours of Islamic fervour they will always help to stimulate the very ideologies they profess to be tackling.
Rob, UK

Saddam should be put into a cell in Guantanamo with the other terrorists Dave Smith, USA

Saddam should be put into a cell in Guantanamo with the other terrorists. We should then throw away the key to that cell. He should not be turned over to the Iraqis as he'd be lynched and/or stoned to death rather quickly. He should not be turned over to the so-called World Court in the Hague. They'd probably turn him loose if he'd promise to continue making Anti-American statements to the press.
Dave Smith, USA

If possible Saddam should be arrested and tried at the Hague for crimes against humanity. Assassination is illegal under international law, as the UK learnt decades ago in Northern Ireland. Unfortunately, the heavy handed approach that the US armed forces seem to be taking in Iraq will only infuriate the Iraqis. Whilst there may have been some doubt early on, I think it is becoming clear that the Iraqi resistance is not linked to ex-Ba'athists, but a reaction to US occupation.
Evan Fowler, Hong Kong

The public display of Uday and Qusay Hussein, flying in the face of traditional US policy, was a desperate political move attempting to reduce ongoing US casualties in Iraq. To the Bush administration the actual deaths are of mere secondary significance to the political damage they are causing. The capture, as opposed to the killing of the elder Hussein would be a political liability. I think the Bush administration would prefer him to be verifiably dead.
Joseph Martin, USA

Keeping him for interrogation and imprisonment isn't a good idea Jaren Jagaraj, USA

This whole "hunt for Saddam" is idiocy. There is no getting around the fact that Hussein is an intelligent person, and any intelligent person in his position would get the hell out of Iraq. He would have no chance, with the United State's hordes of well-trained soldiers hunting him down. Assuming he's still in Iraq, once we find him, we should kill him. Keeping him for interrogation and imprisonment isn't a good idea. Terrorists would demand the release of Hussein, time after time. Try thinking of a USA constantly plagued by terrorist efforts. If he is the evil man western media has painted him to be, he deserves to die. He did what he thought was be best for his country, but to many Americans it seems so wrong.
Jaren Jagaraj, USA

Saddam's death matters most; of course adequate proof has to be provided. Hostile attacks on US troops will decrease to a greater extent. History reveals what happens when the leader is gone! Many of the Iraqis embrace US efforts, particularly in the Kurdish northern region. If caught alive, bringing Saddam to justice through international tribunal court would be a joke as seen in Milosevic's case [perhaps law will still choose this option]. He must be treated the way he treated his own Iraqi people - electrocuted, beaten and tortured to the highest degree by his own people. He should be kept alive and the whole life he should regret for what he did. A lesson for others to learn... I won't even mind if media broadcasts all that!
Frankie, India

Saddam should be shot at sight. There will stand lots of issues once he gets captured to the coalition soldiers. Countries like the France and Russia will come up with some new issues to defend Saddam because they had been doing well with the Saddam led Iraq in the past.
suraj, Nepal

He should be forced to listen to the 'Barney' theme song.
Matt Whitby, Hampshire, UK

Hunting him should not remain a priority gtn, Rwanda

Saddam is as good as dead! Hunting him should not remain a priority. The future of the Iraqi people is what matters - the UN should organise for a democratic election. Iraqi people as well as coalition forces should not continue to risk their hunting a helpless dictator. Sooner or later Iraqis will capture him and take him to the court of law. That's what should be the word's focus.
gtn, Rwanda

Many people (most notably the American government) seem to be assuming that all the resistance they are encountering is the result of Saddam loyalists trying to bring their deposed leader back. This is highly unlikely. Removing Saddam simply gave an opportunity to many other groups who are prepared to use violence to get their way. And it's also undoubtedly true that many Iraqis who were glad to see the end of Saddam also want the Americans out. Capturing or killing him will not bring the 'resistance' to an end.
Alan, UK

The latest Saddam tape, if it is genuine, confirms, for all Iraqis, that Uday and Qusay are dead. Since Saddam, after his death, will not be able to confirm it in a similar message it will be essential to have a body, dead or alive, to present as evidence to the Iraqi people. Proof of the final end of Saddam is an essential first step towards a new and peaceful future for Iraqis.
JohnM, LyneMeads,UK

Saddam Hussein the ruthless Dictator must be captured and handed over to the International Court of Justice for fair trial; for his many atrocities he committed whilst in power. He must surely face the wrath of the law. Ways and means on how to capture him alive should be found so that he is captured alive.
A. Kalukango, Zambia

He did not live like a human and should not be treated as such Victor Scicluna, Malta

Normally he should face trial like any other Criminal, but this could turn him into a hero so, perhaps a quick execution, some pictures, then burn the this mass murderer. He did not live like a human and should not be treated as such.
Victor Scicluna, Malta

Finding or killing Saddam is not only the answer to the people of world. That will give more eruption of violence in Iraq. First, find the reason (weapons of mass destruction) that to led to war. Convince us why it was a threat to American people & to the world.
Yogi, Pokhara

Yes it's inevitable a trial will end with execution, but doesn't holding a trial show that we are a democratic system, that we are above this dictator and trying to set an example to others.
Sarah Woolley, UK

If Saddam is captured alive he should be handed over to the Iraqis for justice, their justice. The International Court is a joke as Milosevic has shown. Let the families of the people he has murdered deal with him. In the more likely scenario that he is killed, I do not see the attacks on the troops subsiding. But that will not deter the Coalition. America will stay in Iraq for as long as is needed to develop a lasting democratic state. There is no other option. And to the British and Polish troops in Iraq - America thanks you and we will not forget the support you are giving in these times of terror.
Nate, USA

If there is one thing Saddam values more than anything else, it is his personal survival Miguel, Mexico

Saddam can only be taken in alive if he does not resist arrest by coalition soldiers. History has shown he will always resist, but it has also shown that if there is one thing Saddam values more than anything else in the world, it is his personal survival. It'll be interesting to see what he chooses at the moment of truth: life or death.
Miguel, Mexico/USA

One must keep in mind that the ultimate goal of the western power in the Middle East is to neutralize Muslim extremism. Capturing Saddam dead or alive is just one among so many steps in the process. The choice of to kill or to bring him in the court of justice will not repay the damages he has caused. The western power must remain in Iraq for as long as it takes to achieve the ultimate goal.
Ray, USA

Saddam's capture should, obviously, be handled by the Iraqis. The American soldiers want desperately to come home, the Iraqis want them to leave and most of the rest of the word sees their presence in Iraq as totally illegal and shameful. The mess they (and of course Saddam before them) have made should be cleaned up with the assistance of UN and with US funding. In fact I believe that things will start to move this way with only a few more guerrilla attacks.
Richard , Canada

If at all possible Saddam should be brought in alive, but like his sons, he is sure to offer resistance and make it impossible to do so. As for the negative comments about the US and their involvement in Iraq, I would just pray that if we in the US ever had to live under an evil tyrant such as Saddam, that some caring nation would do all they could to intervene on our part.
Dee, US

Dee, US: If I lived under a regime like Saddam's in the 80's I also would hope that a 'freedom' loving nation would rid us of the tyrannical leader rather than support him. I would also hope that that 'freedom' loving country would desist from imposing sanctions that harmed the general population far more than they hurt the tyrant in charge.
Steve, England

Even if Saddam is killed it would not end the resistance Kola Odetola, UK

Whether Saddam is captured or killed is a red herring. The real issue conveniently being side stepped and obscured by politicians and the media is the clear resentment of the Iraqi people at their occupation by 200,000 soldiers who do not speak their language, do not share their religion, do not understand their culture and do not even look like them. Saddam might have been brutal, but has it ever occurred to the westerners (most of whom cannot even stand the sight of helpless illegal immigrants) that the people of Iraq might have preferred a local tyrant to a colonial raj? Even if Saddam is killed it would not end the resistance. The Iraqi people are fighting for their land not for the political corpse of a former dictator being hounded by his former puppet masters
Kola Odetola, UK

Saddam must be captured not killed. It was a mistake to kill Uday and Qusay. The Iraqi people want these criminals to be brought to justice. Although many say death is the ultimate price, these three brutal rulers must be dealt with, the way the Iraqi people want.
Alastair, UK

Many people in this discussion have stated that the US won't capture Saddam alive because the information he might provide would prove embarrassing to the United States. While this may be true, several European governments would also suffer public revelations that would be highly embarrassing. Those weren't American tanks, guns, and armour that the Iraqi army used to suppress it's own people and threaten it's neighbours for several decades. They were Russian. The Mirage jets and attack helicopters were French. The birth of Iraq's nuclear program came from France. And while America shamefully provided Saddam with the know-how and initial stocks of pathogens for some of his Chem/Bio weapons, it was German firms who sold him large quantities of advanced scientific equipment and instruments that allowed him to mass-produce these weapons. There is plenty of blame to go around in regards to Iraq, but there are others whose hands are far dirtier than the United States. It must just be coincidence that the dirtiest hands belong to those who most strongly opposed removing Saddam from power.
Scott Gebhardt, USA

To send him to the International Criminal court would be a failure of justice Mike, Japan

Saddam. To send him to the International Criminal court would be a failure of justice in my opinion. The last thing the victims of his regime need to hear is justification from his own mouth for the genocide and murders he ordered. That's about all anyone has heard from the Milosevic trial.
Mike, Japan

Does it matter if Saddam lives or die? His regime of tyrants is over. Why we in the west like to see a "The End" in every situation. Life in Iraq is unbearable for many innocent human beings. Lets focus our attention and energy to make life better. In pursuit of Saddam and his regime, we are hurting a whole lot of innocents. Is it worth it?? Think about it!
Ahmad Khan, USA

I personally condemn the hunting of individuals by an illegal occupying force. There is no international mandate or agreement that allows this. The occupation is illegal. Who gave America the authority to apprehend Saddam or any other leader of a sovereign state? There is an attempt, in this question, "How should Saddam's capture be handled?" an attempt at legitimizing this hunting of those the greatest perpetrators of crimes against humanity deem as criminals. Who is hunting Blair and Bush for all the crimes against humanity committed by them?
Dora Brown, United States

To Dora Brown: So Bush and Blair have torture chambers then? What crimes to humanity have they committed apart from being poor politicians? The difference is that we elected them. The Iraqi people did not have the freedom to vote for Saddam, they were made to. Our resolve must stay strong to ensure that another dictatorship is not created. Saddam, dead or alive, means nothing. What's important is we give support and help to the Iraqi people to rebuild a country run by them and ensure they have the ability to vote out a leader.
Stuart, UK

I hope Saddam resists arrest and is killed. It would spare the world a pointless media circus Tim Cole, USA

I hope Saddam resists arrest and is killed. It would spare the world a pointless media circus. If he is killed, it will end some of the resistance, save some lives, but it would not stop non-Iraqis, non-Baathists, such as Al Queda from entering the country to do violence to the occupying forces. For them, the death of Saddam means would mean little.
Tim Cole, USA

Saying that the elimination of a free Saddam would have no implications for the wider situation is extremely short-sighted. We need look no further that the flood of information following the death of his two sons than to see that Iraqis would feel substantially safer building a new Iraq were Saddam no longer a threat. I sincerely hope we catch him alive, although I am wary of the quality of the "justice" a court proceeding in Iraq, conducted by individuals who more than likely have lost a family member under the Hussein regime, could provide. Also, I have reservations about the ability of the ICC to act decisively. Maybe we could try him in American courts, which have a tradition of due process and precedent in trying those accused of foreign misdeeds.
Tristan, USA

To Tristan/USA: The "tradition of due process" in the USA has been clearly abolished by your current president. Anyone your president deems to be a terrorist can be shut away for an indefinite time without seeing a lawyer or be subject to due process. The USA has already said good-bye to "precedents" such as the Nuremberg Trials. The way they act shames any country calling itself democratic and civilised! The "victors" will indeed be judged by how they treat their prisoners.
Ani, Italy

I think that he should be brought to justice by the people. He should stand trial and the people should have an opportunity to see justice done. As sorry as I am to say this but I don't believe that it will go that way though. I believe that someone will kill him if he is found, he will not be brought back alive because there are too many bloodthirsty people out there. I think that we look as bad as Saddam right now with the way we treat those poor people.
Eddie Sloan, United States

I would like for Saddam to be made to live like the Iraqi women he has oppressed for so long Julie, USA

I would hope that Saddam would be captured alive so that he could be made to endure the same inhumane treatment that he has inflicted on so may Iraqi people. I would like for Saddam to be made to live like the Iraqi women he has oppressed for so long. He should endure the abuse and fear that he has caused so many. And after his death, his body should be viewed by the public, who choose to view it, until his corpse rots.
Julie, USA

Saddam will, like his sons, choose not to be taken alive. I would prefer to see him tried by the Iraqi people, but what legal punishment could be given to a man that caused so much death and misery? Some argue that killing Saddam will make him into a symbol of resistance; a martyr. I'm afraid the Islamic world has really lost its way if it chooses to revere a brutal mass murderer of Muslims. Where is the outrage over his crimes? Where is the self respect?
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

As an American I couldn't care less if Saddam is taken alive or dead. I will say that his life is not worth the loss of one single American or British soldier. In other words if the coward doesn't come out of hiding with his hand up then by all means take him out feet first. I would also say to anyone who believes that the almost daily loss of coalition forces will somehow result in a hasty departure of our forces from Iraq are truly ignorant in regard to our resolve. It would be unthinkable to allow those who have sacrificed so much to have died in vain.
Mike, USA

Taken alive would shore up the Americans slipping credibility Paul, France

Taken alive would shore up the Americans slipping credibility. Even though the Pentagon and White House claim he is the force behind the resistance, its clear to the rest of the world that the US wasn't invited in and are not invited to stay.
Paul, France

Why the fuss over Saddam being taken alive? It's his choice. He will certainly choose to fight and he will be killed. As far as Saddam being viewed as a martyr or a symbol of resistance, one has to question the sanity of people who would revere one of history's worst mass murderers of Muslims. How can people respect the Muslim world if they don't respect themselves?
Shawn, Washington, DC, USA

If possible, he should be captured and tried by the Iraqi people. They are the ones who suffered the most under his reign. It would send a clear message about the capabilities of Iraq to forge its own future.
M. Dybala, U.S.A.

Your question implies that if Saddam is encountered it will be in circumstances where the US can choose and control the outcome. This seems highly unlikely; his sons opened fire knowing that this must end in their death; Saddam is unlikely to be found asleep and is most unlikely to surrender.
Faustino, Australia

American Forces should not be expected to incur losses to capture him alive D. Gyepes, U.S.

In a best case scenario, Saddam would be caught without violent resistance and would then be tried for his crimes against the Iraqi people, his neighbours and others. However, if he fights, as his sons did, American Forces should not be expected to incur losses to capture him alive. If he doesn't give up peacefully, lethal force should be used.
D. Gyepes, U.S.

Let's get real here. If the US military didn't care about the people of Iraq, it could have dropped a nuclear bomb in the middle of Baghdad months ago and let bygones be bygones. Clearly, the US military is taking great steps to help the Iraqi people while hunting for those who repressed (to put it very nicely) the Iraqi people for three decades, at a price which is very high to the US military. If Saddam is seen, let the US military handle it however it thinks is best.
Jon Jannicola, New York, USA

To bring some sense to this war and some truth to the fore Saddam needs to be brought in alive. The crimes he is alleged to have committed and should be tried for is against the people of Iraq - they and ONLY they should have the absolute right to try him in an open Court, before his people and hopefully be seen to be following the Laws of a civilised country. They were denied this privilege by the calculated deaths of his sons. No more trigger happy hysterical American 'justice'. No more insults to Muslim burial traditions. No more excuses for martyrdom, revenge attacks and new fledgling terrorists. Peace and Justice is what the Iraqi people want - if no one else they deserve that at least.
Andre, UK

International court? What's happening with Milosevic at the moment? I haven't heard anything for months.
Paul Weaver, Greece

Saddam's capture is irrelevant to the civil unrest Bob Jacobson, USA

Saddam's capture is irrelevant to the civil unrest and discontent abundant within Iraq. Further, it isn't Saddam who's turned Iraq into a "terrorist magnet," as one U.S. official put it. So far, no one has admitted loyalty to Saddam as a reason for the continuous insurrection. The whole issue of Saddam's status and what should happen next is a huge red herring.
Bob Jacobson, USA

A man is innocent until he has been proved guilty before a court in a fair trial. The bombing of a restaurant early in the invasion of Iraq just because Saddam Hussein was thought to be there was illegal and monstrous, killing many innocent people including an infant. Such acts cannot be justified and are just as much acts of terrorism as those which Bush and Co. seek to justify their illegal acts. Saddam should be apprehended and brought before an international court.
A. Frost, European

Hussein is not worth the death of one coalition soldier. If to take him alive means undue danger, then kill him by any means possible. Ideally alive, and then throw him to the crowds to do as they see fit. He should face Iraqi justice, not coalition.
Chris White, Germany

Saddam should be apprehended and be brought to justice by an international court. But I doubt if this would be aloud to happen there are a lot of embarrassing questions that should be highlighted and answered. Such as who helped him to power? Who provided him with the technologies, arms and chemicals? Who were his allies when he used the chemicals on his own people? Was he used as a tool to keep Arabs divided? I am sure there are many more questions that can be added to the list.
Harry, Australia

They could capture him with gas but I bet he is captured with bullets Raymond, NZ

Just like his sons, Saddam will not come out of Iraq alive. Even if he tries to give himself up it will appear that he didn't and will be killed. Why? Because he was a close ally to the US in the past and would be an embarrassment to Bush if he ended up in trial. They could capture him with gas but I bet he is captured with bullets. "Dead men tell no tales"
Raymond, NZ

Saddam will not be taken alive. It is far more likely he will blow his brains out rather than be taken alive. Then the Iraqi people should see his remains so they know they are free of him at last.
Simon W, England

I say send in the British SAS and capture him alive. We have the best elite troops in the world far superior to trigger happy American troops. Killing him would be too easy a punishment for him. Bring him out and parade him in front of the world and remind him of all the thousands of people he has maimed, tortured, abused and killed so horrifically. He should be handed over to the Iraqi government so that they may grant out the appropriate punishment for him.
Haider, UK

Saddam should be killed rather than putting him into trial Perdana J Daud, Las Vegas

In my humble opinion, Saddam should be killed rather than putting him into trial on the International Court in the Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity. What he have done for his country and especially his own people is too much for the world and GOD to forgive him. How many innocent people have died during his reign as a president of Iraq?
Perdana J Daud (Nicholas), Las Vegas, NV. U.S

Saddam's capture or elimination is insignificant in this equation. What the occupying forces need to realise, is that Iraqis are a patriotic and independent people. Whether they are ruled by a tyrant or x,y or z. They'd like to rebuild their country and take it in the direction that they want and not on terms of outsiders. The longer the US and UK forces are around, they will encounter ever increasing hostilities. If the UK was occupied by a stronger country and they deposed a tyrant and then said that the UN had a virtually non-existent role and that they would stay indefinitely, I would not be surprised if that relief of a deposed leader would quickly transform into resentment amongst the people.
Wahid Feroz, United Kingdom

Saddam is much more valuable to the US alive. Anyone who thinks the US wants him dead is a bit too eager to vilify the US. As to what will be done with him, do any of you honestly believe the US will have any confidence at all in a world body after the inaction the UN displayed in the face of this threat? I think not. If he is taken alive, he will be tried, but not by any toothless, politically-minded world court.
Jeff, USA

Saddam Hussein should be arrested and then brought to justice. His trial should take place in Iraq, to give a chance for his own people to judge him, and make of his trial an example for the other Arabic tyrants who poison our lives
Nawal, Lebanon

We want to see Saddam captured alive if possible, or see him actually dead so that we will be satisfied. And for all those who support Saddam from Egypt to Saudi Arabia, we say mind you own business. It seems to me that those people have not seen or are denying the existence of mass graves. We say thank you to the nations that have helped the Iraqi people be free from Saddam.
Ali Al-Hathaf, Iraq/UK

Saddam should be judged by an international tribunal Pascal Jacquemain, UK

I disagree with Simon Mallett, UK. Iraqi justice is in need of reform. After all, most if not all of the justice system was put in place by the Baath party. If the Iraqis were to judge him, especially if the death penalty is sought, the possibility of a fair trial will be remote. Saddam should be judged by an international tribunal which should have a remit to interrogate anybody, including former heads of state.
Pascal Jacquemain, UK (French)

He should be tried by Iraqis in an Iraqi court. They suffered; they should have the opportunity to punish.
Simon Mallett, UK

He should be captured alive and put on trial in public, Don't kill him please. We suffered a lot; we want to know the whereabouts of 175,000 people whom he took away.
Norky, Iraqi - Kurdish

Any trial in Iraq or The Hague will become a circus James, UK

Justice would best be served with Saddam being dispatched as quickly as possible. Any trial in Iraq or The Hague will become a circus and a waste of money on a tyrant who shouldn't even be given the chance to excuse his actions.
James, UK

Yes, whenever possible, people should be taken alive. What message we send to our children if we're out trying to blast everyone away? Of course, if people fight back and a battle ensues, things can happen.
Kristin Blanchette, USA

He is a symbol of the evils that plague this world and must be brought justice Ian McCleary, UK

Saddam has committed atrocious crimes against humanity itself, he is a symbol of the evils that plague this world and must be brought justice. The military forces must hunt him down and finish what they started; to relax the search for him now would send out the wrong signals to those who must understand that barbaric regimes are a thing of the past.

Personally I would like to see Saddam killed by coalition forces but only in an act of defence. If he surrenders or is captured alive he should be brought to trial by the Iraqi people. Death or physical punishment cannot be considered; the Iraqi people must see that even after the crimes this evil man has committed, we do not have the right to take another life.
Ian McCleary, UK

If at all possible, Saddam Hussein should be caught alive and put on trial in Iraq. He should be forced to face the orphans, the widows, the maimed and tortured victims of his regime. Then the Iraqis should decide what's his fitting punishment.
Richard Pinard, Czech Republic

Let the people of Iraq choose his fate.
Lucy, UK

Sometimes you have to do the hard thing, the right thing and the only thing Tom, USA

If Saddam surrenders, then hew will be taken alive. But everyone knows he will fight to the end and the USA will have no choice but to kill him. Some of those posting here make it sound like we want him dead. That's not the case, but sometimes you have to do the hard thing, the right thing and the only thing. By the way, how is the Milosevic trial going?? Good thing he was captured alive. The trial will last so long; he will die before the trial ends.
Tom, USA

What is he accused of doing that he should be captured? Have the Iranians, Kuwaitis or Israelis who have suffered from his attacks issued an arrest warrant? In reality, we are not dealing with justice but with the victor doing whatever he wants. Saddam deserves death, but what did he do to America that they should execute it?
Israel Dalven, Israel

The question of whether he should be brought in alive or dead is one for the uncivilised cowboys from old John Wayne western movies, not one for the second millennium.
Ben, UK

It is Ben, UK who is uncivilized because he would DO NOTHING to stop the unbelievable mass-murder and mass torture and gassing of even more innocents perpetrated by Hussein. Bens' idea of 'peace' and 'civilization' is to do nothing substantial at all to stop evil tyrants. That is not 'peace'. That is, rather, intellectually deluded aquiesence to evil.
Phil, Colorado, USA

I can't believe the forces have no strategies for capturing him alive David O, UK

The US are already talking up the possibility that he will be killed when found. How convenient this would be for Rumsfeld and those in the administration that sold him arms in the first place. Frankly, unless he does commit suicide, I can't believe the US or UK forces have no strategies available for capturing him alive. Although The Hague is perhaps the most suitable place to try him, I think Guantanamo Bay is more likely!
David O, UK

Bottom line: The US does not intend to take Saddam Hussein alive. What? And let him be tried by an International Court which the US insists has no jurisdiction over its own? Never!
Ike, UK

Why is bringing in Saddam such a big issue? The concern should be for the millions of Iraqis suffering under US occupation, which is intending to stay for a very long time in their country. Saddam is finished anyway, so the US and Britain should try and sort out the mess they created in Iraq first, before they are chased away by the daily killings of their troops.

Only reason I can think of for putting such importance on what happens to Saddam, is to distract the American people's attention from the increasing death toll among their sons and daughters stationed in Iraq.
Shereen Abdelsalam, Egypt

Saddam is irrelevant, the resistance fighters are not pro-Saddam but are rather Islamist fighters from all parts of the Muslim world. If Saddam is killed you have done the resistance a favour because they have been trying to get rid of him for years!
Abdul, Saudi Arabia/UK

Abdul, Saudi Arabia/UK: It is only a matter of time before we get to Saddam. I am sure that the majority of those fighting are doing it either out of fear of Saddam or money. Why would Islamists want to help him out anyway? He has killed many Muslims. Hopefully, once we are done with him, we can stop buying oil from our so-called ally and maybe the UN will even impose sanctions on Saudi Arabia for its role in international terrorism.
Jim, USA

It would be counter-productive for Saddam to be killed instead of captured Sonia Martinez, USA

I think it would be best to capture Saddam Hussein alive and deliver him to the International Court in the Hague to face charges of crimes against humanity. This could get a little sticky as we all know that he received funding, and arms from the US. Would that mean ex-presidents Reagan and Bush who were aware of his actions be tried as co-defendants?

A lot of people in this country, particularly Republicans, would vehemently disagree. I think it would establish a clear mandate by which American leaders would need to be more cautious with whom they choose to ally themselves and by extension, the country. It would be counter-productive for Saddam to be killed instead of captured.
Sonia Martinez, US

He should be taken alive. However, I sincerely doubt that the US is willing to take the chance of having Saddam telling about the great support he enjoyed from the US before the 1991 gulf war. He will most certainly be handled with the same care as his sons and "unfortunately" killed.

Either way, that will not end the violence in Iraq, as I seriously doubt that the current attacks against US/UK troops are performed by "Saddam loyalists". More likely by people upset by the fact that they and their families have been bombed and sanctioned for the last 12 years.
Mikael, Sweden

I my opinion Saddam at this point is to busy avoiding arrest to organize a resistance against the US occupation force. If he really is the symbol for resistance the US claims, killing him will only turn him to bigger symbol. In my opinion the US is trying to escalate his arrest to major victory because the desperately need one for political reasons.
L Papaioannou, Greece

If at all possible, he should be brought in alive. But I doubt that the coalition forces will be able to do that.
Jim, USA

Any operation to capture Saddam should be done covertly by elite forces such as the SAS rather than allow 200 trigger happy soldiers to spend six hours levelling a whole street with tanks and helicopters just to capture four men in a villa! It is the Americans' lack of understanding for the people and place in which they find themselves that leads to the continued killings of its troops. People do not want them there. Yes, they wanted Saddam even less but freedom can't be imposed on a people by ill-prepared armies.
James, UK

Bringing him alive will restore faith that American troops did their part Sheena, Kuwait

Saddam should be arrested if there is even a remote possibility for it. Bringing him alive in front of the people he tortured for so many years will restore their faith that the American troops did their part of being there (whether it is the truth or not). It will give them the satisfaction that this man didn't go so easily from earth after all that he did.
Sheena, Kuwait

Saddam was not much of a Muslim anyway, so offending the Muslims shouldn't be a problem. And Muslims of all people would know this. However the Arabs are doubtful and cynical of America, so keeping him alive would solve this constant problem.
Joel, Trinidad

Even if Saddam is killed, people of Iraq hate to see an occupying army controlling over them and deciding their future government. Especially the US army which is hated almost all over the world. More US injuries and death will come unless Mr Bush acts fast and asks for help from the UN.
Julian Cooney, US

He will probably fight to his death. And yes, coalition forces should display his body so that the Iraqi people know that he is dead.
Dan Shear, US

If Saddam has "cloned" so many doubles like himself, how can anyone be sure it is him even if he is found dead?
Eddie, Singapore

We all need to see his face after the war Maria, England

Saddam should be arrested and brought to an international court. We all need to see his face after the war. He has killed thousands and ruined thousands of lives including his own sons in laws. Don't kill him please. We want to see him crying and apologising for his deeds and all what he did to us. He looted our shops and his soldiers raped our women In the Gulf War in Kuwait. We were left with empty pockets before we left that country. No. No. We want to see this guy alive.
Maria, England

If he is killed it could not resolve or end the Iraqi resistance. The only thing which can is the organisation of a transitional government as soon as possible, representative of all tribes and ruled by one of independent Iraqi origin. That is only the solution, not a government ruled by America and Britain.
Awoumfo Andre, Cameroon

If the same individuals that were searching for Iraq's WMD are now searching for Saddam, then he'll never be caught. Those folks seem to have a definite problem finding things the Bush administration claims are all over the country, especially around Baghdad.
Joe Bosko, US

What incentive does he have to hand himself over? Anon, UK

What makes you think that Saddam Hussein will allow himself to be captured alive? What incentive does he have to hand himself over to coalition soldiers without a fight? The chance to spend the rest of his life in prison after a show trial? It is advantageous to capture him alive (a live Saddam is more convincing than a corpse) but the final decision rests with the man himself. If Saddam is cornered and shoots at coalition soldiers, the coalition soldiers will return fire.
Anon, UK

Saddam should be held in custody, well guarded, until an Iranian court has made a decision. It must be left to the Iranian people to seek justice in a way compatible with their own history and law.
Leon Kay, Canada

He should be captured alive and put on trial in public. That is the only way to "enlighten" his supporters. But the US administration seems to be afraid of what he could disclose about the Bushes and US ties. That may be why they killed his sons instead of using gas to capture them.
Ed, Canada

As for whether his capture will stop the attacks against US forces, the only thing that's going to stop that is jobs, an income, some stability and a sense of hope amongst the people. Having the majority of the people with no money and nothing to do, while occupying forces roam the streets, only makes for negative thoughts, conversation and action by the populace.
Mark M. Newdick, US/UK

It would be embarrassing to Western politicians and companies if he was to talk Omar, NYC USA

I would believe he will not be apprehended. If he was it would be very embarrassing to many Western politicians and companies if he was to talk. I am sure he has lots of information that is better left dead and quiet. Remember Mr Rumsfeld met with Saddam in the early 80s, I can only imagine the deals and secrets they discussed. Also note the WMD the US is looking for was made with Western technology and guidance, none of Saddam's toys were created in a vacuum.
Omar, NYC USA

Throughout the past 50 years of his life, Saddam has adapted to being a shrewd and skilful survivor. His capture, if and when it does happen, won't be as fast and easy as some might expect.
Muhannad, US

The 'apprehension' of Saddam is somewhat of a farce. Like so many dictators and renegade leaders that have been 'installed' in the world by the US government and then later 'removed', it would seem the US would learn to find better 'bed partners' instead of pretending this was not instigated by its self-serving interests gone bad.
Rocko, USA