Why Would We Do This?

By Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Federal customs agents say a pearl-handled AK-47 that belonged to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein and was in the hands of the U.S. Army is being sent back to Iraq.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement says the automatic rifle is chrome-plated and has a photo of Hussein near the sight.

ICE spokesman Lou Martinez says the return of the rifle was recently requested by the Iraqi government and ICE traced it to Fort Lewis near Tacoma.Peter J. Smith, special agent in charge of the ICE office of investigations in New York, called the AK-47 "a priceless symbol of Iraqi history."

Martinez said Friday that the Army, which had planned to put the weapon in a museum, cooperated fully with its return.

My question is why would ever consider returning weapons to a country where we had to send our brave military men and women to overthrow this barbarian? It doesn't make any sense to me at all. I fully understand why our military would like to keep it to symbolize the work and the lives lost in order to see Hussein overthrown...but really, give it back? Sheesh....