Bush: U.S. will work with Iraqis to try Saddam
President to former Iraqi dictator: 'Good riddance'
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President Bush brushed off questions about the political implications of Saddam's capture at Monday's news conference.
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President Bush talks about on Iraq at Monday press conference.
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WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Saddam Hussein will face a public trial for the "atrocities" he committed against the Iraqi people, President Bush said Monday, vowing the process would be carried out in consultation with Iraqis and would stand up to international scrutiny.
"There needs to be a public trial and all the atrocities need to come out and justice needs to be delivered," Bush said in a news conference, which focused primarily on the weekend capture of the former Iraqi dictator. "And I'm confident it will be done in a fair way."
Bush laughed when asked about Saddam's reported comment when he was captured by U.S. forces that he was willing to negotiate. Asked for his own greeting to Saddam, Bush responded:
"Good riddance. The world is better off without you, Mr. Saddam Hussein. And I find it very interesting that when the heat got on you dug yourself a hole and you crawled in it. And our brave troops, combined with good intelligence, found you. And you'll be brought to justice, something you did not afford the people you brutalized in your own country."
The president said he doubted Saddam would divulge information as a way of negotiating.
"He didn't tell the truth for over a decade. I just can't believe he's going to change his ways just because he happens to be captured. And I don't think we ought to trust his word."
Speaking at only the 11th news conference of his presidency, Bush brushed off questions about the political implications of Saddam's capture. The president is up for re-election in 2004, and several of the Democratic contenders -- particularly front runner Howard Dean -- have faulted the administration's policy on Iraq.
"There's going to be plenty of time for politics," Bush said. "And people can debate all they want."
Asked specifically about Dean's suggestion that Bush may have known in advance about the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, Bush called that an "absurd insinuation."
Bush has cast the capture of Saddam as part of the administration's broader war on terrorism.
With Saddam's capture, Bush said, "Iraqi citizens have lost a source of fear and they can now focus with confidence on the task of creating a hopeful and self-governing nation."
However, Bush warned, "The terrorists in Iraq remain dangerous. The work of our coalition remains difficult and will require further sacrifice. Yet it should now be clear to all: Iraq is on the path to freedom."
As he has before, Bush said the United States would not leave Iraq "until the job is done."
Asked for his thoughts on executing Saddam, Bush allowed that he had "personal views" on the matter.
"But my personal views aren't important in this matter. What matters is the views of the Iraqi citizens," he said.
Turning to domestic matters, Bush said he would press lawmakers when they return in January to work on a medical liability bill, legislation aimed at limiting class-action lawsuits and a sweeping energy bill.
