Posted on 12/09/2001 7:55:25 AM PST by colette_g
Hoon Against Osama Execution
Britain will hand Osama bin Laden over for trial in the US - but only if he does not face the death penalty, Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon has indicated.
Mr Hoon said he believed the US was the correct place to try the prime suspect in the September 11 bombings, if he was captured by British troops.
But he said that extradition to the USA would require "certain undertakings" from the American authorities.
As a signatory to the European Convention on Human Rights, Britain does not extradite suspects to countries which use the death penalty.
Execution
It can only do so if assurances are given they will not face execution.
Asked what would happen to bin Laden if he fell into the hands of UK troops, Mr Hoon said: "I believe that it would be very important to respect the international legislation relevant to those circumstances.
"We do extradite people to countries with the death penalty, obviously subject to certain undertakings.
"I see no reason in principle why that shouldn't happen."
Last Modified: 14:36 UK, Sunday December 09, 2001
Its just sickening that there is anybody in the civilized world who could even entertain the thought that Osama bin Laden should be spared. I'd like to see Hoon explain to the survivors of the victims just why bin Laden shouldn't be executed.
The Brits have found a way to have their European Convention on Human Rights Cake and eat it to. These press releases are for the benefit of Euro-Socialists so that they can soothe their bleeding hearts.
Our British allies will do what needs to be done and they will do it in a way that will totally respect Osama bin Laden's human rights as a world citizen. Wink. Wink.
That's their story and they're bloody well stickin' to it.
Seriously, it's time we let these Europeans know in clear terms that refusing to turn over terrorists will result in extreme long-term damage to relations with them. If they need to change their laws, do it. Maybe we should pass a law that forbids issuing visas to citizens of countries that refuse to extradite wanted terrorists.
So9
If the Brits won't extradite him, let them try him and let them have to deal with the "release Osama" hostage takers. No reason we would have to do so.
Better still, of course, is to shoot him while escaping. A couple shots to the guts, then benign neglect as he slowly bleeds to death.
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