Execution Of Saddam Hussein Could Only Inflame Iraqi Violence

With sensitive negotiations at a last ditch attempt to form a political unity government among Shiite, Sunni and Kurdish parliament moderates hung-up by the lack of support by Shiite partisan Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, and greatly increased sectaian violence, the planned execution of Saddam Hussein could further inflame the endless cycle of Sunni and Shiite sectarian violence.

By any objective standard, Saddam Hussein was a cruel, dishonest and corrupt leader directly responsible for so many deaths. But with the political situation so tense in Iraq, it would be far better to offer Saddam Hussein the mercy that he denied so many others at this point. It would be far better for him to quietly rot away in a prison cell and not remain a factor in the Iraq tensions, rather than become a new flash point for more sectarian violence.

The execution of Saddam Hussein with the next 30 days will only inspire Sunni extremists to commit more violence against Shiites, and the Shiites will only respond with more violence against Sunni citizens.

At this time, it is far better that the people of Iraq learn a lesson of mercy than learn a lesson of justice.