Americans Celebrate Capture of the 'Big Fish'

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The capture of Saddam Hussein that elated U.S. troops in Iraq, was greeted on the streets of America on Sunday with a sense of relief that the end of the occupation might finally be in sight and that violent resistance would abate. "We've spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of people have died for the cause. So to finally get the big fish, the big person, it's good for everybody," said Kevin Culley in New York.

Americans began to learn of the success of "Operation Red Dawn" just before sunrise in the United States, as breathless television anchors, some still unshaven, rushed to their studios to report on a major coup for the U.S. military and President Bush.

As the surprise news sank in that the former Iraq leader who had been on the run for eight months was in U.S. custody, Americans expressed joy and satisfaction, while hoping it would speed the return of troops.

"I think it'll help the situation and a lot of our people over there will stop getting killed and they can come home finally, probably," said Charles Felton in a snowy Times Square.

Guerrilla attacks have killed nearly 200 American soldiers since Bush declared major combat over on May 1.

As snow plows cleared the roadway and tourists bundled against the cold thronged New York City's famous crossroads, giant shots of a bearded Saddam flashed onto news screens of media headquarters on the surrounding skyscrapers.

"I think there's going to be a lot of progress now. I think a lot of Iraqi people were kind of frightened until this has happened. But now this is good news, I think it can only go forward," said New Yorker Jim Adamson.

It is also likely to lift Bush's popularity and his job approval ratings, which have fallen from wartime highs in the spring.

"I think it definitely will help Bush because a lot of people were saying that he made a mistake out there and now that they caught him, I think people will maybe say 'okay it was worth it then.' Especially with all the people that died over there," said Sergio Ruiz, a visitor from Los Angeles.

Many Americans voiced optimism that the capture of Saddam by the 4th Infantry Division, who found him hiding in a small underground hole in a farm near Tikrit on Saturday, would signal the end of the occupation and the return of the troops.

"I think it's good, I think it's going to bring closure, hopefully, and it's a good starting point for Iraq to really begin their rebuilding process. More than anything it just brings closure," said Cory Coon, of Greensboro, North Carolina, visiting Washington.

Anti-war activist Bill Dobbs of United for Peace and Justice, called the capture "a major development" that removed the White House's last major reason to be in Iraq. He called on Bush to "end the occupation and bring the troops home." In Fort Hood, Texas, home of the 4th Infantry Division, commanding officer Lt. Gen. Thomas Metz said it was a "Christmas bonus" that would boost troop morale.

One Washington resident described it as the best Christmas present Bush could get.

And on an Internet "blog" diary, George Paine summed up the mood, saying: "Today I celebrate, like so many Americans and so many Iraqis. Any day that a criminal as evil as Saddam Hussein is put face to face with justice is a wonderful day."