NATCHEZ &045; News of the capture of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein was encouraging to Natchez residents who turned out for Sunday’s Christmas parade.

Willie Thomas said he understood why it took nine months for U. S. troops to locate the infamous dictator.

&uot;He was in his own country, buried underground. That’s why it was so hard to catch him,&uot; said Thomas, who works for the Natchez Department of Public Works.

But the capture made the wait worthwhile for Thomas.

&uot;It’s better late than never,&uot; he said.

Many Americans believe U.S. leaders should have acted to remove Saddam from power during the first Gulf War in 1991.

Seattle native Gary Gaham retired from the U.S. Navy in 1999 and moved to Natchez in 2001. Gaham was aboard a guided missile frigate in the Persian Gulf during the first Gulf War.

&uot;We were mad that we didn’t finish it then. That was the mood aboard the ship,&uot; Gaham recalled.

But Gaham said having Sadaam in captivity should have a positive effect on the people of Iraq &045; and for our troops who continue to police the rebuilding effort there.

&uot;It’s definitely going to help their morale. I think things will get better now,&uot; Gaham said.

Others were more cautious about whether Saddam’s capture will help bring stability to Iraq.

Natchez resident Billy Parker noted the political ramifications of the capture.

&uot;It’s not going to hurt Bush’s chances for re-election. But whether it helps in Iraq or not, we’ll just have to wait and see,&uot; Parker said.