Effete Olde Europe is horrified at the thought that Saddam Hussein may be executed: Germans, French Object to Saddam Execution.

Germany and France, two of the most vocal anti-war opponents, strongly stated their opposition — without exception — to the death penalty and called on Iraqi authorities to ensure Saddam a fair trial.

In Berlin, the government’s top human rights official, Claudia Roth, criticized Baghdad’s move to reinstate capital punishment, which was suspended during the U.S. occupation.

“To start out this way does not send a good signal,” Roth told The Associated Press. “I think it would have been a signal of democratic strength had they not reinstated the death penalty in Iraq.”

France called on Iraqi justice officials to hold a trial that conforms to principles of international law, and the government reiterated its opposition to the execution of convicts.

The 25-member European Union intends to let Iraq know of its opposition to the death penalty, said Emma Udwin, external relations spokeswoman for the European Commission.

But the European countries that suffered under Communist dictatorships for decades have a somewhat more enlightened view:

Latvian Foreign Ministry spokesman Rets Plesums said that whatever happens to Saddam after his trial is a matter of concern for Iraq — not the Baltic state.

“We are hoping that the new Iraqi courts will conduct the trial as fairly as possible, but I don’t think our government will offer an opinion about what happens to Saddam Hussein,” he said. “It’s not our business.”

Latvia, a recent newcomer also to NATO, ardently backed the U.S.-led invasion and contributed more than 100 soldiers to the coalition after fighting ended last year.

Poland, another supporter of the war, offered a similar view. Poland just decided to extend its troop deployment of 2,400 soldiers in Iraq until Dec. 31.

“Our reaction is obvious. This is a sovereign decision of an independent court and of the Iraqis themselves,” said Boguslaw Majewski, spokesman for Poland’s Foreign Ministry.

Roman Kuzniar, a political scientist at the Warsaw University, said the list of crimes committed by Saddam Hussein “would justify the death penalty.”