The Department of Foreign Affairs in a subdued statement on Sunday acknowledged — but ventured no opinion — on the capture of deposed Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein.
”The South African Government has noted developments regarding the capture of Saddam Hussein by the coalition forces”, the department said.
”The South African Government has since the launch of the war against Iraq avoided commenting on the operational details and developments thereof. The department added that the government would continue to support every effort undertaken by the international community, under the auspices of the UN, to bring about the dawn of peace, security, stability and democracy in Iraq.
”Critical in this regard, would be an early return of sovereignty to the people of Iraq,” the statement concluded.
In marked contrast, celebratory gunfire erupted in Baghdad and world leaders hailed the development, saying it could mark the beginning of a peaceful new future for Iraq.
”This is the minute we, and the whole world, have been waiting for: to see the arrest of this tyrant who has horrified his own people and many others in the world”, Kuwaiti Information Minister Mohammed Abulhassan said.
”Thank God that he has been captured alive, so he can be tried for the heinous crimes he has committed” against the Iraqi and Kuwaiti peoples, he added.
Hussein invaded Kuwait in 1990 and was ejected by a US-Saudi led coalition the next year.
Jordan, another of Iraq’s immediate neighbours, said ”a page has been turned”.
”The Jordanian government hopes that a page has been turned and that the Iraqi people will be able to assume their responsibilities as soon as possible and build their future according to their will”, government spokesperson Asma Khodr said in a statement.
Iran’s Vice President Mohammed Ali Abati also expressed satisfaction over the capture of Hussein, whom he described as a ”criminal” who committed many crimes against the Iranians.
”I am happy they have arrested a criminal, whoever it may be, and I am even more happy because it is a criminal who committed so many crimes against Iranians”, Abtahi said in the first official Iranian reaction to the news.
In Cairo, Egypt, Arab League Secretary General Amr Mussa called the detention of the Iraqi leader an ”important event” and that the Iraqi people should decide his fate.
Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar also said Hussein would have to answer for his crimes.
Italian Foreign Minister and chairman of the European Union Council Franco Frattini termed on Sunday the capture of Hussein a ”crucial turning point in the battle against guerrilla (warfare)”.
”The capture of the dictator is obviously a decisive blow to the deadly Iraqi guerrilla”, Frattini said.
Japan also welcomed the development.
”It is a big victorious step forward for the international community which has been striving for Iraq’s liberation, reconstruction and stability,” Chief Cabinet Secretary Yasuo Fukuda said in a statement.
Paul Bremer, head of the US administration in Iraq, said American troops captured Hussein in a raid near the ousted leader’s hometown of Tikrit on Saturday.
”I very much welcome the capture last night of Saddam Hussein,” Prime Minister Tony Blair said in a statement released by his office. ”This is very good news for the people of Iraq. It removes the shadow that has been hanging over them for too long of the nightmare of a return to the Saddam regime”.
The Australian government, which staunchly supported the war, also welcomed the
news.
”We’re absolutely thrilled that Saddam Hussein has been captured”, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said in a statement.
”And his capture has the potential to change the situation on the ground”. French President Jacques Chirac, one of the leading voices against the invasion of Iraq, was ”delighted” at the arrest, said his spokesperson Catherine Colonna.
In Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov said the capture would help strengthen security in the war-torn country. And in Washington DC, the White House said Hussein’s arrest would assure the Iraqi people that he was gone from power for good.
”The Iraqi people can finally be assured that Saddam Hussein will not be coming back — they can see it for themselves”, presidential press secretary Scott McClellan said.
US President George Bush said Hussein’s capture marked the end of ”a dark and painful era” in Iraq but cautioned that it does not mean the end of violence.
Bush said Saddam ”will face the justice he denied to millions.”
”It marks the end of the road for him and all who killed and bullied in his name,” Bush said in a nationally broadcast address from the Cabinet Room.
Meanwhile, democratic Alliance leader Tony Leon said Hussein’s detention represented a fine hour for freedom.
”It is further proof that dictators of the world can run but they cannot hide,” the DA leader said in a statement.
”Our thoughts and prayers are with the people of Iraq at this decisive moment in their history. We share their rejoicing that a dark chapter is closed, and their new democratic dispensation is at hand. I am sending a telegram of congratulations to US President George Bush.” – Sapa