Rice Rejects Criticism Of Hussein Death Sentence

U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (left) with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani in October (epa) November 7, 2006 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has rejected criticism from the European Union and other countries of the death sentence handed down to former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein for crimes against humanity.

Rice said on U.S. television that the sentence was only for Iraqis to comment on. U.S. President George W. Bush earlier called the verdict a "milestone" in Iraq's development.

(Reuters, AFP)