How important is finding Saddam?

A reward of $25m is being offered by the US authorities in Iraq for information leading to the capture of Saddam Hussein, or proof of his death.

Similar rewards of $15m are available for his two sons, Uday and Qusay.

The top US official in Iraq, Paul Bremer, said until the fate of the most wanted man in Iraq was confirmed, their names would continue to cast a shadow of fear over the country.

Do you think the capture of Saddam will bring stability to Iraq? How important is it to find the former leader?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

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

He is a sideline. The most important elements were (and are) the restoration of liberty and the infrastructure of the country. The suffering of human beings over-shadows the capture of Saddam.
William Beckman, USA

It is critically important. Two tape recorded messages have been released that appear to be from him. A growing and expanding guerilla campaign is in full progress. What more could be said?
Will Smith, USA

His being at liberty detracts from the possibility of Iraq's moving on David, UK

Saddam represents a focal point for groups with a vested interest in the restoration of the previous regime. His being at liberty detracts from the possibility of Iraq's moving on. But this situation is only weeks old. It's too soon to be making cast iron judgements about Iraq's likely fate, WMD, or Saddam.
David, UK

And just what will the US do when they catch Saddam? Send him to Guantanamo Bay where he can be denied all the rights which a democracy should be expected to provide? They can't find the weapons of mass destruction when they claimed to have clear intelligence about their existence. What hope do they have of finding Saddam? As usual, America blunders in with no thought of the consequences and it's a shame that Britain chose to join them.
Rob Griffiths, UK

He and his loyalists are an institution that and cannot be wiped out overnight Mutiu Animashawun, Nigeria/USA

To find and display Saddam in custody will save the coalition forces from attacks. He and his loyalists are an institution that and cannot be wiped out overnight. Saddam must be caught to show, among many things, that America and the allies mean business.
Mutiu Animashawun, Nigeria/USA

As usual, the Americans are obsessed with the idea that their enemy is a single individual. It's always like that - Escobar, Bin Laden, and now Saddam. Only when they kill the latest "source of all evil" do the Americans realise that, in fact, the situation is more difficult than it appears, that hundreds of new leaders emerge to replace the one who has just been destroyed - unless the root causes of the situation are addressed. In Iraq, the root cause seems to be that most Iraqis just don't want Americans in their country, in their houses, or anywhere near them.
Irfan Kortschak, Indonesia

Finding Saddam will not solve Iraq's problems Simon, Netherlands

What evidence do we have that the killings of US soldiers are done by Saddam loyalists? For that matter, why would anyone feel loyal to Saddam today? Surely no one with any sense can seriously believe he will ever come back to power? Finding Saddam will not solve Iraq's problems, it will not squash the resistance. What his capture would provide is a chance for the US to claim a much needed success in Iraq and distract attention from the terrible mess the occupation has landed in.
Simon, Netherlands

Yes it is important to find Saddam, however it is much more important to restore the basic supplies to the Iraqi people. The Americans can mount a war but can't mount a peace. I have seen several newsreels where the Iraqi population have been treated with contempt just because too many queued for a job! I think it may be too late for the after-Saddam peace now and the Americans are paying for it in at least one life a day. Same old American story, just a different "show".
Roland Brade, England

Saddam and his sons must be caught alive! The American troops must take great measures to assure this. If Saddam and his sons die in a blaze of gunfire or their fate remains in this resolved state they will be carved in history as martyrs, I don't think the Americans want that. When Saddam and his sons are captured the Americans just need to let them walk down the Parade road in Baghdad, then the Iraqis will show the world what they really think of them.
Selim Khalil, Cairo, Egypt

Stop wasting time on finding Saddam. Restore electricity, water and security for the citizens of Iraq. The longer this debacle lasts, the more dangerous it is for US troops. The population will soon wish that Saddam was back in power. At least they had food and water.
Eddie Leong, Singapore

I don't think it's that important. The occupying Americans forces must bring order.
Shabir Ahmed, Pakistan

The focus is on finding Saddam to the exclusion of what's happening to the people of Iraq Falah, Baghdad, Iraq

The focus is on finding Saddam to the exclusion of what's happening to the people of Iraq. No water, no electricity, no jobs, no money to feed their children, no medicine, no security, no hope and future. Shouldn't that be more important than finding Saddam?
Falah, Baghdad, Iraq

I am a student of foreign relations and I know how important is to find Saddam. I hope that he will be found, but I don't think will not resolve everything.
Paula Manea, Romania

Finding Saddam Hussein is important for the US. Of course they can't find any WMD in Iraq so far, Osama bin Laden is still absconding, and everyone is accusing them of looting Iraqi oil. They badly need to find Saddam.
Sachin Vats, Bahrain

Saddam's death is important to the Bush administration Don Kirngle, US

Saddam's death is important to the Bush administration. This whole war has turned into getting Saddam for what he did 10-20 years ago.
Don Kirngle, US

I think finding Saddam is paramount. I believe the attacks on US and British soldiers will continue and intensify unless and until he is found.
Larry Thornton, USA

Saddam's capture has nothing to do with the current anarchy in Iraq. The occupying authority should prove their worth.
Mohammad Ismail, Iraq

Saddam gives hope to Baathist loyalists and proof of his death would mean an end to most of the attacks Colin Keesee, USA

Finding Saddam is much more important than WMD. The WMD are strictly political now and since everyone has already made up their minds about the war those weapons will do little to change people's minds when they are found. Saddam gives hope to Baathist loyalists and proof of his death would mean an end to most of the attacks. Most importantly, we must remain calm and rational and realise that installing a democracy and restoring an infrastructure take years not weeks and we must not abandon the Iraqi people.
Colin Keesee, USA

It is a priority of the first order! If you want to stop a reaction, you must remove the main cause. Until this individual is physically removed from all and any potential source of power, there will never be any stability in that region.
Eritch van Rustomssen, Canada

Now is the time to be rid of the ghost of Saddam. If we don't he will haunt Iraq forever.
Douglas Rose, Dallas, USA

I fear Saddam's capture won't make much of a difference Lee Middleton, USA

The $25 million hints of desperation. And even if Saddam was caught or found dead there are the sons and no doubt many Saddam "wannabes" around whom resistance could coalesce. This war is not going well and I fear Saddam's capture won't make much of a difference. Baathism will probably live on with or without him -- look at Argentina and the Peronistas.
Lee Middleton, USA

Does anyone else see the irony of the US offering a bounty on Saddam Hussein, yet at the same time actively undermining the International Criminal Court?
Stuart Woodward, UK

The people there have lived in fear of him for far too long Shanna, UK

It should be completely obvious that Saddam had WMD; he had used them countless times on nearby countries and on his own people. The fact is that the US has found mobile weapon factories, centrifuges, and so on. Saddam killed women and children, stole from his country and should most definitely be captured!

The people there have lived in fear of him for far too long and they deserve the kind of freedom that we enjoy and take for granted every day. I think President Bush made all the right decisions and the US should be commended for trying to help a country in such obvious need. They were never after the oil and anyone who believes so should pay more attention to the way things really are!
Shanna, UK

Wanted dead or alive. Thank you George Bush, for returning the greatest nation in the world to the law of the Wild West.
Michael Harris, Cork, Ireland

Stability? No. For it is impossible to imagine that any ancient, proud nation, despite its internal religious and tribal differences, would tolerate the occupation by a totally foreign nation, especially since it has begun to sell off economic opportunities and the country's assets to huge American corporations. The outrage is inevitable with or without Saddam.
Henry Dorst, Canada

It is important for the survival of the Bush administration. They are in dire need of results and finding Saddam has a symbolic value. So far, after several years of the war on terrorism, Osama, WMD and other evils, the world has yet to see results.
Stiafen, Denmark

Saddam's many supporters harbour hopes of a comeback while their former leader is at large Mick Illman, UK

I believe that capturing Saddam and his sons is central to establishing a stable and lasting peace in Iraq. Until these men are in custody their former regime cannot be considered to have been defeated, only dispersed. No doubt Saddam's many supporters will continue to harbour hopes of a comeback all the while their former leader is at large and as they become more organised will carry out ever more audacious attacks on coalition forces. The Iraqi people will not feel 'liberated' until they see for themselves that their oppressor is indeed history.
Mick Illman, UK

Saddam was the soul of that hideous regime which for so long tormented the Iraqis. It is now crucial to get the man dead or alive to finally erase him and his crimes from the memory of the people. Otherwise his ghost will continue to torment and paralyse everything and everyone.
Jose Cosme, Canada

I think it's very important we find Saddam due to the fact he could either team up with terrorists, he could use his money to regain power either in Iraq or in neighbouring countries, he could become involved with other bad apples and increase the risk of more conflict. I also think it's important because he needs to be punished and put to shame for what awful acts he has committed.
Robbie Thomson, England

I don't believe finding Saddam is important because even if he does manage to lead a resistance force against the coalition forces it would be quite obvious on what the outcome would be. After all he claimed to be winning the war and then the next week Iraq's capital was invaded. I think the time and effort being put into hunting this man and the so-called WMD should be put back into the war-torn country and help return peace and stability to it.
Ray, Essex, UK

The capture of Saddam is irrelevant to the ongoing turmoil in Iraq Mo, UK

The capture of Saddam is irrelevant to the ongoing turmoil in Iraq. This is because the resistance in Iraq is not solely Baathist in nature but a genuine national resistance movement, as can be seen in the number of Shia Muslim, as well as Sunni attacks. The resistance will never surrender until the last US soldier will leave Iraq. The Iraqis must keep up the fight against the new imperialists.
Mo, UK

Finding Saddam Hussein is important but does not change the fact that the USA armed him and supported him in the 80's then bombed the Iraqis with barbaric sanctions in the 90's.We do not trust them and will not forget what they did to us. Nice try to satisfy the Iraqis though.
Y.Ubaidi, Iraq/UK

No amount of money will motivate a people like the Iraqi people to strike back at a man who has bullied/tortured/murdered them for so long. It is up to the Iraqi people themselves, they must act as one people - to find Saddam and it is also up to them to deal the justice to Saddam he has so far avoided.
Bob, USA

To me, as evil as Saddam is, the most crucial action to be taken is not even his capture and imprisonment. The crucial turning point now for Iraq is for the UK and US coalition forces to restore order to a country that is rapidly becoming lawless, with vigilante killings, kidnappings, brutal rapes and murders. Attacks on soldiers are also happening through this lawlessness. The coalition forces and any interim government needs to be robust in restoring law and order; This is required of them and compulsory under United Nations and Geneva Protocol. How many more innocents, both in Iraq and in forces both sides have to die before a stable government is established?
Laura Hunter, UK

Finding Saddam and the rebuilding of the Iraqi infrastructure are not necessarily mutually exclusive Oliver A, England

I believe that finding Saddam and the rebuilding of the Iraqi infrastructure are not necessarily mutually exclusive. The different agencies involved with finding Saddam and with the rebuilding of Iraq can, I am sure, work concurrently. My main concern with the reward for finding Saddam and his sons - where is the money coming from? During the conflict large amounts of US Dollars were found hidden around Iraq, and I wonder whether this is funding the search and reward (or other purposes).
Oliver A, England

Finding Saddam should be a secondary objective to rebuilding infrastructure and trust in Iraq. He is powerless and as a fugitive, (and if he is still alive) knows that if he raises his head anywhere in the world, he is going to find the US thundering down on him.
Richard, UK

Yes, we need to find Saddam. Then we need to turn him over to the families of those he tortured and murdered. I also think we should investigate the roles of the France, Germany, and Russia in keeping Saddam in power. Which companies and government officials were from these countries were complicit in Saddam's crimes? Then we should prosecute them as well.
Bob, USA

Finding Saddam should be low on their list of priorities. The coalition forces should begin a measured withdrawal from Iraq or a long term guerrilla war will become inevitable. The US will then use this as an excuse to remain in the country indefinitely. This will never bring peace to Iraq, the middle East or the wider world.
Al Ferguson, UK

Finding Saddam is just as important as finding the WMD Paul, Tampa, USA

Finding Saddam is just as important as finding the WMD. Although we're having better success finding the WMD. A gas centrifuge is only used for one thing, and it's not for making pudding. The rest of the weapons will be found, in time. So will Saddam. He can't hide like the coward that he is forever. The important thing is that he is no longer in power. Finding the body is secondary. A $25m bounty will make it harder for him to hide.
Paul, Tampa, FL. USA

How important? Very important! Saddam Hussein is an evil man and should be captured, taken back to US. Treat him the way he treated his people and sentence him to death.
Martin Little, Wiltshire

Why does the US not offer a $25m reward for information leading to the discovery of weapons of mass destruction? Finding the weapons is, at least, as important as finding Saddam.
Bob Davis, UK

It may not bring stability to Iraq, but closing the chapter on Saddam and his sons will snuff out any hopes former Baathists may harbour of returning to power. On the PR side, taking Saddam out of the picture will boost the Americans and the declining confidence that the war was a risk worth taking. Also interested parties around the world will have tangible evidence that dictators ultimately pay the price of their sins.
Chris, US

He must be held responsible for his actions Karen, UK

It's vital. First, the allied forces said they would do this and that this was part of the reason for invading Iraq. Second, he must be held responsible for his actions. The more we let people like him get away with it, the more the new generation will believe they can too
Karen, UK

I think it's important for the Iraqi people that he is captured. I'm sure the many people who suffered at his hands will be greatly reassured to know he is no longer a threat. However for the Allied forces, I don't think it makes a huge difference in practice. I think the opposition to the Allied occupation and the attacks will continue regardless of whether he is captured or not. The Allies will have to stay in Iraq in large numbers for a long time if they want to fulfil their objective of securing the oil supply.
Alan, UK

It's extremely important that Saddam is found. He is a dangerous man with a lot of money. How long before he builds up his own terrorist network, or uses his money to fund another?
Dee, UK

Why don't we put all our effort into rebuilding Iraq and helping the Iraqi people instead of concentrating on Saddam? He'll pay for what he did, let God deal with that.
David Hilton, Hudds, UK

I think the reward is outrageous Dan, Ireland

They'd better find Saddam, not least because this is starting to reflect very badly on the Bush administration. But I think the reward is outrageous - if this is really about "Operation Iraqi Freedom" they should spend the money helping the Iraqi people.
Dan, Ireland

It's not as vital to find him as it is to find who is harbouring him. I believe that someone, somewhere in a position of relative power knows where he is.
Douglas, United Kingdom

It certainly would be preferable to find Saddam and his sons. Although, I do not believe it is necessary. The fact that he has lost power and control of his country is enough. But, I think everyone would sleep better at night if they were apprehended or killed.
Mr Sandy Clark, San Francisco, USA

Take him out quietly Pete, Jersey

Treat him with the same respect he showed to others. Take him out quietly without celebration; let the world forget him.
Pete, Jersey

They put a bounty on Bin Laden's head, and that didn't work. What makes them think that a bounty on the head of Saddam would do any better?
Malcolm Rees, Swansea, UK

So, the USA has failed to find Saddam, and the bemused authorities are now offering the job to bounty hunters. I wonder how much they will offer to anyone who can find weapons of mass destruction?
C. Hunter, England

Let him face justice Adrian M Lee, England

I think that closure is important. In this scenario Saddam will always act as a rallying point to the extremists in Iraq unless his death can be proven or he is put on trial and imprisoned. Why should he just be able to walk away from the thousands of murders he is responsible for? Let him face justice.; not for him but for the relatives of those he killed.
Adrian M Lee, England

I think finding Saddam is fully irrelevant for the peace and stability in/for Iraq. It is an effort to hide the failures of planning for this mission, the arrogance of might, that led into the invasion but was stupid enough not to see any further than the barrel of a gun. The solution to the peace and stability is too complicated to even try to explain to the US chiefs.
Miklos Nomad, Hungary

I will not feel safe nor free until he is captured Nabil, U

It is very important that Saddam and sons are found because as an Iraqi like all other Iraqis I will not feel safe nor free until he is captured. We all lived in fear and this will remain until he is captured.
Nabil, UK

So George Bush's speech on the hopeful capture of Saddam will say "drawing on the courage of our founding fathers.....etc" this means having now invaded someone else's land they will beat, bully, break promises and crush their opponents until they get their own way. Saddam and his thugs should probably be made accountable for his crimes, but what about Bush?
J, UK

The trial should be done by the people of Iraq Abdellatif Ahmed, Egypt

Saddam must be arrested with his family members and go for trial, most important that the trial should be done by the people of Iraq and not the Americans or British.
Abdellatif Ahmed, Egypt

The Pro War lobby have constantly hid behind - we are doing this for the Iraqi people. The only interest the US had was oil and the first action they took was to secure the oil wells. Why is it that the hospitals were not secured, the looters were not clamped down on, electricity and water are not running properly, but oil is almost ready to flow. The US had the money and resources to bomb the Iraqis but when it has come down to giving them a better life they have failed. The trust the people of this country put into our leader has been made a mockery off. Finding Saddam, is only a means of diverting the attention away from the mess that they have made.
S.Ahmad, UK

In reply to S Ahmad regarding his comments about America not looking after the needs of Iraqi people and instead looking after the oil... The oil is the Iraqi people's future. What else have the people of Iraq got to offer in terms of real trade other than oil? By securing the oil fields and stopping the retreating troops from lighting them and ruining the supplies, the Americans have managed to give the Iraqi people the best possible start in becoming a proper country with oil revenue that will build a decent infrastructure and allow them to be properly educated and housed.
Adam, England

The US has a quaint way of running after illusions. Once it was Vietnam, then Afghanistan then Iraq and then some other country. But terrorism continues. Why make the wrong persons heroes of the world? Bush's visit to Africa may be a new breakthrough - tackling the real issues through peace.
Buroshiva Dasgupta, Eritrea/India

Typical Cowboy approach from the US. Wanted "Dead or Alive". Can they not see this, along with the attempts to assassinate Saddam. Killing people without due trial is murder. People are not questioning the US allegations that these armed groups are terrorists. From their perspective they are fighting a legitimate guerrilla war against an armed invader. Were the partisans who fought against Germany in occupied Europe terrorists? The USA need to take a long deep look at itself. It is becoming the rogue state. Absolute power corrupts absolutely. If he is captured, then it is important he is tried by his own people, not the coalition. Further, one could ask if the US and the UK should be put on trail for propping up his regime for so long when it suited them.
Dr. Paul Mackey, UK

We made the mistake of trying to disarm a country that had no weapons of mass destruction and now we are scratching our heads trying to find a way of justifying our actions. We won't succeed in doing this even if we do find Saddam and put him to the sword.
Geoff Futter, Nottingham, England

He and his sons should be made to stand trial for their crimes Niki, UK

It is important in the sense of making sure that justice is done for the people of Iraq. He and his sons should be made to stand trial for their crimes. But I also think that his 'capture' will destabilise further the situation in Iraq and the Middle East as Saddam Hussein will be seen by most Arabs as a 'martyr'.
Niki, UK

I do not think finding Saddam is that important. Why $25million? I mean, this money could be use to embark upon massive infrastructural development in the whole of the country.
Chux, Leeds, UK

Please may they be spared anything that might be interpreted as a hero's death? Neil, England

It is vital, if alive, that they are incarcerated in miserable ignominy for the rest of their natural lives. Please may they be spared anything that might be interpreted as a hero's death? Napoleon's exile on St. Helena is the most appropriate historical precedent. Would-be tyrants beware of your fate!
Neil, England

It is very important for the Bush administration to find Saddam Hussein dead or alive because Saddam Hussein without might is more threatening than with his power and weapons!
Srinivasan Toft, Denmark

It is hugely important that they are found. After wars in Afghanistan and Iraq costing many lives and billions of dollars, they have no Bin Laden, no Saddam, no WMD. The people, particularly in Iraq, need something to show that Bush and Blair really aren't just empire-building.
Andy Clapham, UK

It's really quite funny how objectives change on a weekly basis Junaid Ali, UK

I don't think it was ever hugely important to the US/British governments to find him. However, since there is now a growing public unrest, and the fact that no WMD have been found (if there were any in the first place!), finding him has now become a priority. It's really quite funny how objectives change on a weekly basis.
Junaid Ali, UK

A comment here stated that "it's funny how objectives change on a weekly basis". Yes objectives have to change if the threats and opposition you are up against changes on weekly basis or as often. The only solution I can see at the moment which will bring an end to the violence in Iraq is that the US should speed up the rate of rebuilding Iraq.
Yomi, UK