The weekend capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein is a “huge psychological boost for the people of Iraq,” according to Iowa Congressman Tom Latham. The Republican from Alexander says it’s also a testament to the hard work the members of the U.S. military are doing in Iraq. Latham says he’s “very pleased” and it’s “a great thing to finally lift the cloud Saddam’s held over that country and I think this really will accelerate the opportunity for peace in Iraq. Strategically, he really wasn’t important but psychologically, he is extremely important that we have him in custody.” Latham says they told him on a recent visit to Iraq that they were certain Hussein was alive and it would just be a matter of time before he’d be captured. Latham and several other members of Congress visited Iraq in early November. The next step is putting Saddam on trial for his crimes, and Latham hopes the deposed leader will stay right where he is. Latham wants to see the Iraqi people put Saddam on trial, as he’s “brutally murdered over 400-thousand Iraqis” and “the Iraqis themselves should have an opportunity to bring him to justice.” Iowa Congressman Jim Nussle issued this statement on the capture of Hussein. He says his regime is long gone, but symbolically for the war in Iraq, and symbolically for the war against global terrorism, this is a huge victory. Nussle thank the troops and said we should be proud of the people who have been working so hard to bring peace to that area, that region. Nussle says the capture will help the efforts for peace in Iraq.He says this achievement removes one of the largest obstacles in the path toward a stable and peaceful Iraq. Nussle says there’s work left to do, and he says it must continue and stay on course.
