The European Union is opposed "by principle" to the...

The European Union is opposed "by principle" to the death penalty for former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, a spokesman for the European Commission said.
"The position of the European Union against capital punishment is very clear," said Diego Ojeda, a spokesman for EU external relations commissioner Chris Patten. "It's a position of principle, whatever the circumstances, the gravity of the crimes committed," said the spokesman for the commission, the EU's executive branch.
"The most important thing is that he is judged by an independent and credible court, to answer for the 30 years of tyranny and all the crimes he has committed," he said.
The previous day, US President George W. Bush said that Saddam should face "the ultimate penalty."