President George W. Bush said Monday that a way will be developed to put ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein on trial, expressing hope that the trial could stand international scrutiny.  

"He will be detained. We will work with the Iraqis to develop a way to try him that will stand international scrutiny, I guess is the best way to put it," Bush said at a press conference held in the White House, one day after the announcement of Saddam's capture.

"The Iraqis need to be very much involved. ... And we'll work with the Iraqis to develop a process," he added.

"And of course we want it to be fair, and of course we want the world to say, you know, he got a fair trial. Because whatever justice is meted out needs to stand international scrutiny," Bush said.

When pressed on whether Saddam will be executed, Bush declined to give a direct reply. "I've got my own personal views of how he ought to be treated, but I'm not an Iraqi citizen. It's going to be up to the Iraqis to make those decisions," he said.

Asked whether Saddam's capture will accelerate the timetable for US troops withdrawal from Iraq, Bush vowed that the US forces will remain in the oil-rich country until mission is completed.

"We will stay the course until the job is done," he said. "And the temptation is to try to get the president or somebody to put a timetable on the definition of getting the job done. We're just going to stay the course."

"The level of the troops in Iraq will depend upon the security situation on the ground, and that those decisions be made by our commanders," Bush added.

The president also cautioned that the work ahead remains difficult for the US-led coalition troops in Iraq despite the capture of Saddam on Saturday.

"The terrorists in Iraq remain dangerous. The work of our coalition remains difficult and will require further sacrifice," Bush said.

"Yet it should now be clear to all: Iraq is on the path to freedom," he quickly added. "And a free Iraq will serve the peace and security of America and the world," he said.

Work for coalition remains difficult in Iraq, says Bush

President George W. Bush said Monday that the US-led coalition still faces difficult work in Iraq despite the capture of ousted Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

"The terrorists in Iraq remain dangerous. The work of our coalition remains difficult and will require further sacrifice," Bush said at a press conference in the White House.

"Yet it should now be clear to all: Iraq is on the path to freedom," he quickly added. "And a free Iraq will serve the peace and security of America and the world," Bush said.

(Xinhua News Agency December 16, 2003)