Death of a dictator

So Saddam Hussein is dead, hanged by his own countrymen. The scenes of rejoicing among the Shias, in Basra and Baghdad, could not have been faked. It was an Iraqi court that found him guilty of crimes against humanity and sentenced him to death.

But I do wish the Americans had not been involved. For that is how it will be remembered -- a tyrant hanged in a country protected by foreign powers. Iraq may have a popularly elected government and its own judiciary and security forces, but training those security forces, trying to maintain law and order are American and British troops who continue to fight terrorists and insurgents. No Iraqi court could have sentenced Saddam to death unless US-led forces had invaded the country and hunted him down.

President George W Bush said bringing Saddam Hussein to justice marked an important milestone in Iraq's progress to democracy. He should ask himself instead what has it achieved for America. More Americans have died in Iraq than the 2,973 killed in the 9/11 tragedy and Iraqis are no safer today than under Saddam Hussein.