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Politics : Just the Facts, Ma'am: A Compendium of Liberal Fiction -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: calgal who wrote (2759)	12/15/2003 2:08:06 AM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 90947

Americans Celebrate Capture of the 'Big Fish' Sun Dec 14, 6:10 PM ET NEW YORK (Reuters) - The capture of Saddam Hussein (news - web sites) that elated U.S. troops in Iraq (news - web sites), was greeted on the streets of America on Sunday with a sense of relief that the end of the occupation might finally be in sight and that violent resistance would abate. Reuters Photo Latest headlines: · Chamber Beneath Mud Hut Leads to Hussein AP - 8 minutes ago · Saddam's Fall: From Palaces to Filthy Pit AP - 9 minutes ago · Officials Lay Out Plan to Question Saddam AP - 13 minutes ago Special Coverage "We've spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of people have died for the cause. So to finally get the big fish, the big person, it's good for everybody," said Kevin Culley in New York. Americans began to learn of the success of "Operation Red Dawn" just before sunrise in the United States, as breathless television anchors, some still unshaven, rushed to their studios to report on a major coup for the U.S. military and President Bush (news - web sites). As the surprise news sank in that the former Iraq leader who had been on the run for eight months was in U.S. custody, Americans expressed joy and satisfaction, while hoping it would speed the return of troops. "I think it'll help the situation and a lot of our people over there will stop getting killed and they can come home finally, probably," said Charles Felton in a snowy Times Square. Guerrilla attacks have killed nearly 200 American soldiers since Bush declared major combat over on May 1. As snow plows cleared the roadway and tourists bundled against the cold thronged New York City's famous crossroads, giant shots of a bearded Saddam flashed onto news screens of media headquarters on the surrounding skyscrapers. "I think there's going to be a lot of progress now. I think a lot of Iraqi people were kind of frightened until this has happened. But now this is good news, I think it can only go forward," said New Yorker Jim Adamson. It is also likely to lift Bush's popularity and his job approval ratings, which have fallen from wartime highs in the spring. "I think it definitely will help Bush because a lot of people were saying that he made a mistake out there and now that they caught him, I think people will maybe say 'okay it was worth it then.' Especially with all the people that died over there," said Sergio Ruiz, a visitor from Los Angeles. Many Americans voiced optimism that the capture of Saddam by the 4th Infantry Division, who found him hiding in a small underground hole in a farm near Tikrit on Saturday, would signal the end of the occupation and the return of the troops. "I think it's good, I think it's going to bring closure, hopefully, and it's a good starting point for Iraq to really begin their rebuilding process. More than anything it just brings closure," said Cory Coon, of Greensboro, North Carolina, visiting Washington. Anti-war activist Bill Dobbs of United for Peace and Justice, called the capture "a major development" that removed the White House's last major reason to be in Iraq. He called on Bush to "end the occupation and bring the troops home." In Fort Hood, Texas, home of the 4th Infantry Division, commanding officer Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz said it was a "Christmas bonus" that would boost troop morale. One Washington resident described it as the best Christmas present Bush could get. And on an Internet "blog" diary, George Paine summed up the mood, saying: "Today I celebrate, like so many Americans and so many Iraqis. Any day that a criminal as evil as Saddam Hussein is put face to face with justice is a wonderful day."

To: calgal who wrote (2759)	12/15/2003 2:08:16 AM
From: calgal	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 90947

Lawmakers: Saddam Capture May Help U.S. Aid Quest Sun Dec 14, 3:28 PM ET By Donna Smith WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s capture could help sway world opinion to be more supportive of the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq (news - web sites) and give a boost to U.S. efforts to draw more international financial aid for reconstruction, U.S. lawmakers said on Sunday. Reuters Photo AFP Slideshow: Iraq Latest headlines: · Chamber Beneath Mud Hut Leads to Hussein AP - 9 minutes ago · Saddam's Fall: From Palaces to Filthy Pit AP - 9 minutes ago · Officials Lay Out Plan to Question Saddam AP - 14 minutes ago Special Coverage News of Saddam's capture in Iraq came as U.S. envoy James Baker prepared to leave this week on a mission to Europe to seek relief for Iraq's crushing $120 billion in debt. "That diplomacy has some momentum at this point," Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Richard Lugar, an Indiana Republican said on ABC's "This Week." Sen. John McCain, an Arizona Republican who has urged President Bush (news - web sites) to beef up U.S. troops in Iraq, said a public trial of Saddam that exposed atrocities under his regime could help sway world opinion to be more supportive of the U.S.-led invasion that toppled the former Iraqi leader. "I hope once the trial begins and the exposition of the extent of this despot's crimes are known to our European friends and people around the world, it will further justify our actions in Iraq," McCain said on ABC. South Carolina Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham said on Fox News that it was "imperative" the international community forgive every dime of Iraq's debt. "We don't need congratulations, we need partners. Now is the chance to come contribute instead of complain," Graham said. Baker, a trusted friend of Bush, is expected to encounter some anger in Europe over the U.S. handling of the war and a recent Washington announcement that countries that did not support the U.S. invasion -- France, Germany and Russia -- would be excluded from $18.6 billion in U.S.-funded construction contracts for Iraq. Pennsylvania Republican Sen. Arlen Specter said that Baker could use the possibility of lucrative contracts to win support for debt relief, even though they opposed the war. "There would be some money for the French, the Germans, the Russians," Specter said on CNN. "They do not deserve it." Democrats said Saddam's capture presented a fresh opportunity for Bush to internationalize the occupation and reconstruction of Iraq. Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, the top Democrat on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said rebuilding Iraq will take billions of dollars and thousands of troops and the Bush administration should use Saddam's capture to renew efforts to build more international support. Democratic presidential hopeful Howard Dean (news - web sites) said Bush should use Saddam's capture to reach out to other countries to help with the reconstruction and contribute troops so the United States could reduce its forces in Iraq. "This is a real opportunity to internationalize the effort in Iraq," said Dean, who is considered the front runner for the Democratic nomination to challenge Bush in next year's presidential elections.