NEW ZEALAND JOINS CHORUS OF NATIONS OPPOSED TO EXECUTING SADDAM

Prime Minister Helen Clark of New Zealand said that Saddam Hussein should not be hanged despite the "horrific acts" he has committed, joining a chorus of opposition to his death sentence. During a visit to London, Clark told British television channel ITV that her country could not accept the sentence imposed on Saddam on November 5.
"It is very clear to me that the death penalty is inappropriate in any case," Clark said on ITV.
Saddam was sentenced to hang by the Iraqi High Tribunal, which found him guilty of crimes against humanity in the case of 148 Shiite Muslim civilians who were killed in revenge for a 1982 attempt on his life.
"Under no circumstances do I accept that taking a life in retribution, if you like, for other lives having been taken is right," Clark said.
"I accept that Saddam Hussein has committed immense criminal acts, horrific acts but I cannot accept the death penalty under any circumstances and neither can New Zealand. That is our position."