It seemed so simple, right? Capture Iraq despot Saddam Hussein and, since he wasn’t killed in the process, put him on trial for interminable and unspeakable crimes against humanity.

Wrong!

It was bound to happen. No sooner was the despicable dictator taken into custody by American troops than a tug of war began over where to try him, how to do it and who should be in charge. At first, the logical solution seemed to be turning Saddam over to his own government, against whose people he had committed so much murder and mayhem. There were those who feared the Iraqis, some of whom might be guilty of complicity in the atrocities, might go too easy on the defendant. What about some world court, such as The Hague?

Now American Pentagon lawyers have decided Hussein has been a prisoner of war since he was captured Dec. 13. The legal status remains under review, but the tip of the “accountability” iceberg has only begun to show. Iraq will get involved, the United States has legal issues to consider, and world organizations have their own views on what should be done. There is a reasonable chance that Saddam may die in captivity (he seems too cowardly to kill himself) before he ever faces a tribunal.

Whether Saddam is a prisoner of war may the key to how he is treated in captivity and put on trial. The Geneva Convention on treatment of prisoners of war forbids any kind of coercion in POW interrogations. As of now, American authorities say Saddam and all Iraqi captives are being treated in compliance with the Geneva Conventions.

At one point during the capture, an American soldier considered dropping a hand grenade into the “spider hole” where Saddam was found — not knowing what resistance they might face. That might have been an ideal short-term solution, but it would have led to a never-ending series of myths and legends traded on, at benefit, by Hussein supporters. Even his enemies might have had doubts about his demise.

So in the final analysis, capture was better so the killer-ruler could be seen as the desperate soul he is. At present, we are told, Saddam is being held and interrogated by the Central Intelligence Agency. Iraqi officials say he is being kept in the Baghdad area, undoubtedly in comfortable conditions he does not deserve.

Many believe it will be years before this issue is resolved, providing Saddam is able to dodge various assassins who are sure to be after him. It is frustrating to see a mass murderer being treated with so much more consideration than he ever showed his countrymen.