President Bush Calls Saddam a 'Disgusting Tyrant'

ByABC News
December 15, 2003, 3:13 PM

W A S H I N G T O N, Dec. 16 -- Fresh from the success of capturing Saddam Hussein, President Bush told Diane Sawyer in an exclusive interview that the Iraqi leader should face the "ultimate penalty" for his legacy of violence in Iraq.

Bush told Sawyer, "He is a torturer, a murderer, and they had rape rooms, and this is a disgusting tyrant who deserves justice, the ultimate justice. But that will be decided not by the president of the United States, but by the citizens of Iraq in one form or another."

Bush added that Iraqis are "capable of conducting the trial themselves."

Saying he's glad that the Saddam chapter in Iraqi history "is over now," Bush added, "the world is better off because we got rid of him."

Watch Diane Sawyer's exclusive interview with President Bush on a special edition of Primetime at 8 p.m. ET.

Bush said the capture of the elusive Iraqi leader did not mark a sense of finality for him. "The only thing that's final about it is that the Iraqi people don't have to worry about Saddam ever again. But there's no finality for me. There's a lot more to be done in Iraq." However, he felt this was a "joyous moment for the Iraqi people."

The United States should continue to play a leading role in the war on terror, which is the ultimate challenge of the 21st century, said Bush. "My job is to do everything I can to protect America and Americans," he said.

The United States must achieve objectives in the war on terror, while also honoring the memories of those who have died by terror's rule. Bush told Sawyer he made a pledge at Ground Zero in New York City to never forget the lessons of freedom and his solemn duty to protect the country.

When asked if there is any price that was too high to pay for freedom in Iraq, Bush responded the United States and its coalition partners should not stop until they reach their objectives. "The way to dishonor fallen soldiers is to quit too early," he said.