CNN Reporter: Saddam’s Execution an ‘Act of Sheer Revenge’

Reporting for the Tuesday edition of CNN’s "Newsroom," correspondent Arwa Damon labeled Saddam Hussein’s execution "an act of sheer revenge" and predicted it would have only negative consequences. Damon now joins NBC reporter Richard Engel who last week also described the death of the tyrant as "revenge." Additionally, Ms. Damon characterized the grainy cell phone footage of Hussein’s death as "chilling" and noted that onlookers "taunted" Saddam. The CNN reporter suggested that the execution of the former Iraqi leader would further split the country apart:

Arwa Damon: "With Shia chants defining Saddam Hussein's last moments, it turns his execution into an act of sheer revenge and risks driving even moderate Sunnis further away from the Shia-led government that they already have little faith in to begin with. And so, rather than uniting Iraqis, it appears that Saddam's death is really only further dividing them."

Earlier in the segment, which aired at 1:15pm on January 2, Damon recounted the hardships that Hussein underwent prior to his execution:

Damon: "But then this cell phone video appeared on the internet, uncensored images fully portraying the chilling scene at the gallows, showing Saddam being taunted in his final moments by cries of 'Muqtada, Muqtada, Muqtada,' a reference to Muqtada al Sadr, the radical Shia cleric whose Mahdi Militia is believed to be behind much of the sectarian violence. The images confirming Sunni fears that the execution of Saddam by Iraq's Shia-led government was a sectarian affair. A U.S. warning to Iraq's government that it avoid giving the perception of a rush to judgment fell on deaf ears. With an aide to Iraq's prime minister saying that Nouri al Maliki was determined to put Saddam to death before the end of the year. The government said it has launched an investigation as to how the cell phones were snuck into the gallows and footage was shot, obviously in plain view of the authorities who were present. Munqith Faroon, perplexed and disturbed by what happened, was one of the 14 people present in that room.

Munqith Faroon: [Through translator] "We were searched one by one before going into the room. They had a box to place phones in. How these phones were snuck in, I don't know."

A transcript of the segment follows:

1/2/07

1:15pm

Don Lemon: "There is outrage among Iraqi Sunnis over the execution of Saddam Hussein and it was expected. But now comes cell phone video that's fanning those flames. CNN's Arwa Damon is live in Baghdad wit the very latest for us. Arwa?"

Arwa Damon: "Don, good afternoon. We are seeing the celebrations following Saddam's death winding down. At the same time, we are seeing demonstrations in support of Iraq's former leader gaining momentum. At the modest grave site of Iraq's once terrifying leader tears flow freely. Grief which turned to outrage with the all too familiar chants of--"

[footage of Iraqis screaming in Arabic.]

Damon: "’With our blood and our souls, we will sacrifice, for you, Saddam.’ In front of the glistening golden dome of the al Askari mosque in Samara, one of the holiest Shia shrine, the image of Saddam Hussein displayed by angry Sunni demonstrators. Crowds here carried a mock coffin and photos of their former leader. Parading through the courtyard of the shrine still showing scars left by a bombing back in February. An attack by Sunni extremists that catapulted sectarian violence to a new level. In the days after Saddam's death, outrage is only increasing as more details of what really happened in that execution chamber come to light. The day of the execution, Iraq's National security Adviser, who was present as Saddam tumbled to his death, told CNN-"

Mowaffak al-Rubaie: "There was absolutely no humiliation to Saddam when he was alive and after he, he was executed."

Damon: "But then this cell phone video appeared on the internet, uncensored images, fully portraying the chilling scene at the gallows, showing Saddam being taunted in his final moments by cries of 'Muqtada, Muqtada, Muqtada,' a reference to Muqtada al Sadr, the radical Shia cleric whose Mahdi Militia is believed to be behind much of the sectarian violence. The images confirming Sunni fears that the execution of Saddam by Iraq's Shia-led government was a sectarian affair. A U.S. warning to Iraq's government that it avoid giving the perception of a rush to judgment fell on deaf ears. With an aide to Iraq's prime minister saying that Nouri al Maliki was determined to put Saddam to death before the end of the year. The government said it has launched an investigation as to how the cell phones were snuck into the gallows and footage was shot, obviously in plain view of the authorities who were present. Munqith Faroon, perplexed and disturbed by what happened, was one of the 14 people present in that room.

Munqith Faroon: [Through translator] "We were searched one by one before going into the room. They had a box to place phones in. How these phones were snuck in, I don't know."

Damon: "A mistake the government is already paying for. With Shia chants defining Saddam Hussein's last moments, it turns his execution into an act of sheer revenge and risks driving even moderate Sunnis further away from the Shia-led government they already have little faith in to begin with. And so rather than uniting Iraqis, it appears that Saddam's death is really only further dividing them. Don."