US refuses to rule out bin Laden execution

United States Attorney General John Ashcroft today refused to rule out the possibility that Osama bin Laden could be executed if he is captured and sent to America.

Mr Ashcroft was commenting on reports that British Defence Secretary Geoff Hoon had made it clear that if British troops were to capture bin Laden, he would only be handed over to the Americans if they provided assurances that he would not face the death penalty.

Mr Ashcroft, speaking at the US Embassy in London following discussions with British Home Secretary David Blunkett, was asked whether he was willing to give a guarantee that terrorist suspects who were extradited to the US would not face capital punishment.

Mr Ashcroft said: ‘‘It is clear that the United States, most of the states in the United States and the federal government of the United States, have laws, the violation of which provides death eligibility in terms of the sentencing.

‘‘We deal with this on a case-by-case basis.

‘‘Individuals and nations with which we have dealt regarding extraditions have dealt on a case-by-case basis and I think that is the best way to go forward.’’

Mr Ashcroft was asked whether European states appeared to be ‘‘soft’’ in respect of taking new anti-terrorist powers compared with the United States.

Mr Ashcroft said: ‘‘I do not stand in judgment of other nations about what they are doing.

‘‘I understand that as mature sovereigns (states), they need to make assessments of their own.’’

But he added: ‘‘I urge for the safety and security of freedom-loving people everywhere that assessments be made in the light of the nature of terrorism, the kind of international terrorism which has taken so many lives and impaired the capacity of people to operate in freedom.’’