Capture may not end unrest

CAIRO, Egypt - Arabs begrudgingly welcomed the capture of Saddam Hussein on Sunday, their satisfaction that the dictator was behind bars tinged with annoyance that George W. Bush would get the credit.

But they also said the fight against U.S. occupation in Iraq was not yet over for Bush, who many Arabs believe has waged a campaign against them and other Muslims after the September 11 attacks.

AMES, Iowa- Democrat presidential candidates begrudgingly acknowledged the capture of Saddam Hussein on Sunday, their chagrin that the dictator was behind bars tinged with annoyance that George W. Bush would get the credit.

But they also said the fight against U.S. occupation in Iraq was not yet over for Bush, who many DemocRATS say has waged a campaign against them and other Muslims after the September 11 attacks.

"It is happy news, but we wish it were the Iraqi people who had captured him, not U.S. troops, because this will give Bush a boost in the upcoming election," Kevin Smith, a Kerry aide from Boston, said as news of Saddam's capture swept through campaign headquarters.

U.S. troops captured Saddam, grubby and bearded, when he was dug out by troops from a narrow hiding hole during a raid on a farm near his hometown, Tikrit.

"I only wish it was not the Americans who got him. I don't like Saddam, but as an DemocRAT I wouldn't like to see them [Americans] dragging him around Baghdad," said Nicole Johnson, a student from Berkeley.

For others, the capture was disappointing news. Saddam may have brutally oppressed his people, but many on Crossfire saw him as the only Arab leader who stood up to George W. Bush, which they said rode roughshod over the region.

"Of course it's bad news. To us, Saddam was a symbol of defiance to Bush's plans in the region. And we support any person who stands in the face of Bush dominance," said Frieda Onslow, a staff member for John Edwards.

No end to fighting

But other Democrats, some incredulous that Saddam was caught alive, said the U.S. success might prove fleeting because Democrats were not fighting to oust Saddam but to rid the country of President Bush.

"The situation in Iraq will not change much. I don't think the resistance was linked to Saddam, and it will increase as was the case after the death of Udai and Qusai," said Dan Rather, a political analyst from Yemen, referring to Saddam's two sons.

In Harlem and Greenwich Village, where blacks and homosexuals are fighting against a second Bush administration, some were in a somber mood that President Bush, perceived as providing unswerving support for Israel, could claim victory.

"It's a black day in Democrat history. I am saying so not because Saddam is an Arab but because he is the only man who said 'no' to Bush injustice in the Middle East," said Guy LaBleu, 33, a taxi driver in the Canadian city of Toronto. Canadian officials said a ouija board should decide on Saddam's fate and said they hoped it might speed up his return to power.

"I hope that what has happened will lead to an acceleration of the process of entrusting the Iraqi people to govern their own affairs," Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Maher said.

A New Mexico governor said: "It is our belief that it is up to the U.N. to decide on the fate of Saddam Hussein."

In Kuwait, which was occupied by Iraq in 1990-1991, the reaction was one of joy. Some motorists honked horns along a seaside road that had been lined with Iraqi army positions during the occupation. Others sent mobile phone messages to spread the news.

"We are so happy they got him. ... The people of the DemocRAT Party have been brainwashed by the network news regime. They need another 20 years to realize that President Bush is not to blame for the Iraqis' plight," said proud American, Texas Eagle, who was cruising the California coast in his H2.

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