I Suggest Sarin

The Iraqis reinstitute capital punishment when it comes to Saddam:

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Saddam Hussein appeared before an Iraqi judge on Wednesday when Iraq's new sovereign government took the first step toward putting him on trial -- with a possible death penalty -- for decades of killing and torture.

"Today at 10:15 a.m. (2:15 a.m. EDT) the Republic of Iraq assumed legal custody of Saddam Hussein," said a short statement from interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi's office.

The deposed leader and 11 of his lieutenants were turned over to face Iraqi justice nearly 15 months after U.S.-led forces overthrew him. They will stay under U.S. military guard.

"Saddam said 'Good morning' and asked if he could ask some questions," said Salem Chalabi, the U.S.-trained lawyer leading the work of a tribunal set up to try the former president.

"He was told he should wait until tomorrow," Chalabi told Reuters after attending the formalities in which Saddam and his former lieutenants were turned over to Iraqi justice.

...In Washington, the White House said it was up to Iraqis to decide on the death penalty.

"That's going to be a decision that will be made by the Iraqi people through their special tribunal," said White House spokesman Scott McClellan.

French lawyer Emmanuel Ludot, one of a 20-strong team appointed by Saddam's wife to represent him, said the former president would refuse to acknowledge any court or any judge.

Emphasis mine. The French are a tad upset though:

FRANCE today reiterated its opposition to the death penalty "under any circumstances" after the new Iraqi government took legal custody of former president Saddam Hussein and said it would reinstate capital punishment.

Paris also called for Saddam, who was captured by US forces in December, to be given a fair trial in compliance with international law.

"It is now up to the Iraqi people to judge Saddam Hussein, in a trial that must abide by the rules of international law," said French foreign ministry spokeswoman Cecile Pozzo di Borgo

Shut up, Pierre. Your relatives invented the guillotine for crying out loud. These people suffered for decades under this tyrant and have the right to decide for themselves.