CATEGORY:COMMENTARY ------------------------ By Lloyd Noel Inside Grenada correspondent Tuesday January 09,2007 AS WE LOOK back at Creation, whether from the symbolic or the realistic viewpoint - and obviously looking through the eyes of Christian believers - there comes a time when we are driven to question the Maker, in all His Omnipotence, about that Being called man that He created in His own image and likeness. It has been said and written, that in creating Man - that unknown and merciful Creator, endowed him with an individual, independent and self-controlled conscience, so that he can freely decide by any reasonable standard, the conflict of principles, good from evil, and to do unto others as he would like them to do unto him. And I suppose that at various times and stages in our lives, we all like to feel that we are fully entitled to those endowments as free men and women - especially so in the Western World where we cherish those rights and freedoms of conscience. I must admit, however, that in all humility and with due regard and respect for the powers-that-be in Washington D.C. in the U.S.A. - when I heard the daunting news on that Friday night two weeks ago, that Saddam Hussein was going to be Executed that night in Baghdad - the time came for me to ask the Almighty Creator, why He did not install some form of restriction or limitation in man’s conscientiousness, to take over such decisions in moments like those. I have no doubt whatsoever, that a different decision would have saved the lives of thousands of human beings - not only those of Iraq or American descent, but Worldwide, as a consequence thereof. And I am equally convinced of the view, for whatever it is worth, that that foolhardy decision will not, and cannot, achieve the aims and objectives of those who took that reckless risk with human lives. There is really no need to rehash all that went before, in the buildup to the invasion about Three and a half (3½) years ago - by the U.S. and British and one or two other national armies, under the command of George W. Bush, the U.S. President. The claim by the U.S. Intelligence, that Saddam had a stockpile of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), and or that the Terrorists who attacked New York and Washington D.C. on that unforgettable day in September, 2001 - that they had originated from Iraq, and that was the excuse for going into Saddam’s Country. The excuse was soon shown to be without foundation, and that the President had other motives for attacking Iraq. But in the aftermath of “Nine Eleven” - even those who opposed the attack were prepared to give the President the benefit of the doubt. So the troops went in and Saddam was toppled and eventually captured, after his two sons were killed in crossfire. But the troops stayed put, and rather than their numbers decreasing, they were increased as the occupation took root and began to grow. Despite all the protests against remaining in Iraq - the U.S. Government persisted with its policy, while thousands of Iraqis were slaughtered and hundreds of U.S. troops were killed and thousands injured - many for the rest of their lives. Then the trial of Saddam began in Baghdad, for the deaths of a hundred plus of his people sometime in 1982 or thereabouts. Whatever the merits, or fairness, or otherwise of the said trial, the mayhem in Iraq continued, and the U.S. stayed put and the loss of lives increased. The people of the U.S.A. got the opportunity in November, 2006, and in no un-certain terms, through the Ballot boxes; they told the President that enough was more than enough. The majority in the two Houses of Representatives changed hands, and in the aftermath the Secretary of Defense resigned, or was fired from the post, and a new one took over the hot seat to try and turn things around. But instead of taking the cue from the Electorates, and really trying to make amends for the New Year - the powers-that-be did the opposite and sanctioned the indecent haste of having Saddam executed on the 23rd December, 2006. How those in authority in Washington D.C., could remotely imagine that such action would reduce the tension in Iraq, or help in bringing the U.S. troops home sooner than if Saddam remained alive for some months yet - beat my simple mind. And it would be adding insult to injury, for any one in the “White House” or elsewhere - to even attempt to say that it is the authorities in Baghdad who took that precipitate action. As a direct consequence of that decision, it seems to me that that ill-advised action - would heighten the tension and the criminal action of the Terrorists elements, not just in Iraq but Worldwide. And it is in that context that our people in the Americas, and particularly in the CARICOM Region, on the eve almost of the up-coming Cricket World Cup, have to be doubly concerned, and alert, and ever more vigilant - from now right up to the 29th April, 2007, when the games are fully over. In fact, I am of the view - for whatever it is worth - that the U.S. Government action is so irresponsible in the prevailing conditions, that they should readily agree to provide serious additional funding, and top-level security and Intelligence personnel in the Region, in readiness and anticipation of any eventuality in the four months ahead, for starters. I do hope that our people in charge of CWC 2007, would already have seen the adverse possibilities that can result from the execution in Baghdad - and taken the Bull by the horns into the State Department, and eventually into the White House itself, to forcefully and un-relentingly put their case for urgent and adequate protection - against very probable Terrorist activities in the said months. In the wider and more general context, surrounding the whole issue touching and concerning the death penalty itself - my personal position remains the same, and that is, that I fail to see how the execution of Saddam Hussein in 2006, in anyway compensates for the deaths of the hundred plus persons he was convicted of killing himself, or ordering their killings in 1982 or thereabouts. It is my considered opinion, that keeping Saddam in prison for an indefinite period would have been far more beneficial to the people of Iraq, and far more humiliating as punishment to him, rather than his execution which would undoubtedly make him a Martyr in the eyes of his countrymen/women. And what is of even greater concern to the American troops in Iraq - is that the hatred and bitterness, and the openings for taking revenge against them for their Government’s action in handing over Saddam to be killed, will be increased a hundred fold with no let up in the foreseeable future. I could never understand nor accept, how it could be wrong for someone to willfully kill another person - whether in the course of a fight, in the furtherance of another illegal act, or in a time of war or such like - but it is, or becomes right for the State to turn around and kill that killer, under the guise of so-called justice, as punishment for the first killing. If it is accepted that - “Thou shall not Kill;” then it seems very hypocritical and highly contradictory to me - to preach the one and practice the other. And as for the American people, who have their sons, and husbands, and fathers, and whatever other relations they may have in Iraq - for them to accept, that the life of anyone of their loved ones, who are all in the firing line, or the range of the explosive devices, is now an open target in exchange for that of Saddam Hussein of all people; that must in itself conjure up in-describable dislike and disdain for the President and his advisers. It is as though, they having forcefully, and in a no nonsense mood, and a show of open defiance and disgust of the President’s policy of staying on in Iraq, they voted his party out of control of the Two Houses of Representatives. And in return, he has taken this irreversible decision to show them who is really the Boss, and who is in control. And now the entire free World must sit and wait in their respective corners - merely to tot up how many more Iraqis are killed, and how many more U.S. troops are slaughtered and seriously wounded, and how many more Billions of U.S. dollars are being spent - in a worthless show of misplaced and mis-guided strength that cannot win anything. And as for our already over-burdened and stressed out Caribbean mini-States, that are spending far more than they will ever earn in the next ten to twenty years - from the up-coming CWC 2007 investment - we are now faced with an additional headache. We have to find the resources to put Systems in place, firstly to re-assure potential visitors, that it is still safe to come to our relatively peaceful shores and enjoy Cricket West Indian Style; and secondly, to in fact and in reality, make sure those Systems do work in the Nine Venues where matches are scheduled. Nothing should, or can be left to chance in this un-expected, and in all the circumstances, un-necessary new ball game that has been thrust upon us.And in the same vein of CWC 2007, and in the face of the relatively short time remaining before the curtains come down on March 11th at Trelawny in Jamaica - the Carib Cup Series Match, between Windward Islands and Guyana,that was scheduled for Thursday 4th January at our new National Stadium, had to be moved from the Queens Park venue to Tanteen - at the last minute almost. Not much was said about the late move, except that the new facility was not quite ready. We have been getting a lot of ole talk, about how superior our Stadium was in comparison with others in the Region and even Worldwide - and all that is very nice and a plus for the Chinese builders. But out of an abundance of caution, I wish to remind those in control, that the Cricket would not be played in the Building - but on the field and pitch in the middle. The pitch was newly laid and it needs serious testing under genuine playing conditions, to ensure that it measures up to the World Class standards that the Cricket World Cup demands. Bowling a few overs, for the benefit of the Inspectors and the press reporters, are not the same thing as a serious game for high stakes.We are already in at the deep end - so all stops must be pulled out, to make as sure as it is possible that all that can be done, have been done.We cannot afford a repeat of the West Indies versus England fiasco, in Jamaica a few years ago - so a stitch in time may very well save nine. To achieve the best World Cup ever staged - we need maximum security (especially after Saddam), proper Pitches and well built Stadium buildings, tremendous good will from all concerned - and above all else, the hands-on input of the Almighty - not just for CWC 2007, but indefinitely, if we are going to truly benefit from this very trying experience.