Saddam's capture will aid reconstruction

To Talk of Many Things

The capture of Saddam Hussein Dec. 13, 2003, was an astounding event that altered the American reconstruction in Iraq and shocked the Iraqi people.

With Hussein now incarcerated, there should be considerably more Iraqis who aggressively will assist in reconstruction efforts because they no longer fear their former dictator enacting revenge for their collaboration with U.S. troops.

The rebuilding of the country requires more Iraqi assistance, and the United States is in a much better position to recruit that help now that the source of its fear is gone. The burden on the United States gradually will be lessened, and reconstruction slowly will become less difficult.

The Washington Post reported Dec. 15, 2003, that Hussein had been apprehended. The following morning, Paul Bremer, the American administrator of Iraq, uttered to an anxious press gathering, "Ladies and gentlemen, we got him. The tyrant is a prisoner."

Iraqi journalists and American soldiers shouted thunderously in elation. Their cheers were echoed across the country as the news spread. What astonished them even more was the film footage of the withered appearance of their former leader. Hussein was shown in a humbled state, a helpless prisoner with a scraggly beard and tattered clothing.

In order to comprehend the enormity of this revelation in the eyes of Iraqis, one needs to remember that, for the past 25 years, Hussein enforced the acceptance of his regime through extreme terror and brutality. The more he terrorized, the more the people came to believe that no man could conquer Hussein, and their fear served as the lifeblood of his reign.

That impression changed after hearing Hussein had surrendered without a fight and was rendered powerless in custody. This was the same man who had claimed to be heir to the ancient Arab conquerors — a contemporary incarnation of Saladin and Nebuchadnezzar.

This new realization among the Iraqis is what transforms the rebuilding of the country. Previously, U.S. forces were engaged in a struggle to convince fearful Iraqis that Hussein would not return. Now, the Iraqis know it to be true, and will be more apt to help repair their broken nation.

The United States cannot stabilize Iraq and create a viable government without active Iraqi participation, and Iraqis cannot participate effectively without a guarantee of security. While fear sustained a repressive dictatorship in Iraq, industry and courage among the people will be needed to engineer a democratic system.

As the Iraqis assume more and more responsibility for themselves, fewer American soldiers will be needed, and this means fewer casualties in the future. The hardships are not over, and there is no way of knowing how Iraq will turn out in the end, but Hussein's capture has given new hope for us and for Iraqis.

Johnathan Kelly is a junior political science major.