An Ending, a New Start

In the end, Saddam Hussein went out not with a roar but with a whisper. The pictures of a compliant and unkempt Hussein hardly seemed to be of the bully who had struck such fear in Iraq.

His long-awaited capture can mark a turning point in Iraqi history and another needed readjustment in U.S. policy in Iraq. The good work by U.S. troops in taking the former dictator alive offers the United States the opportunity to gracefully recalibrate its political position to gather more international support in rebuilding Iraq.

President Bush, rightly proud Sunday in a brief television address, said Hussein’s capture was “crucial” to establishing a free Iraq. Yet just last week, as the Bush administration was going with an open hand to France, Germany, Russia and Canada, seeking financial aid to rebuild Iraq, it was giving a slap to those same nations, telling them they couldn’t bid for lucrative contracts because they hadn’t supported the war. Hussein’s capture -- something that finally everyone can agree was great news -- can reopen the door for better cooperation.

The pictures of a humiliated Hussein will not end attacks on U.S. and allied soldiers. But the realization that the tyrant who reigned by terror for decades will not come back should encourage Iraqis to provide intelligence that will prevent sniping, bombing and suicide assaults on occupation forces and the Iraqis working with them. A calmer country would allow the return of foreign aid workers and United Nations officials forced to leave Iraq because of the lack of security.

Taking Hussein alive allows interrogation, although no one knows if he will speak the truth. He should be tried for his crimes against his people, which are legion and well documented. But any trial must be seen to be fair and not the work of a kangaroo court. Given the wreckage of Iraq’s judiciary, the proceedings should involve international jurists, as did the trials of leaders of the former Yugoslav federation and Rwanda.

Iraqis celebrated Hussein’s removal this year as an important event in their eventual rule of their country. TV viewers around the world rejoiced with them. Much work remains, from rescheduling debt to fixing oil pipelines to making city streets safe. Help from U.N. agencies and other countries would relieve the burden on Iraqis and the U.S. and make for a quicker, smoother transition to a free and democratic nation. All that has a much better chance of happening now if the Bush administration speaks with one voice and seizes the moment.