US sought to delay Saddam execution-Iraqi source

(The spin begins)

BAGHDAD, Jan 1 (Reuters) - The U.S. ambassador in Baghdad urged Iraq's prime minister to delay the execution of Saddam Hussein by two weeks but relented in the face of concerted pressure, a senior Iraqi official told Reuters on Monday.

Saddam's fellow Sunni Arabs held angry public mourning rituals following Saturday's hanging and the government is investigating how Shi'ite guards taunted and filmed the former president on the gallows. A no-holds-barred Internet video of the execution has inflamed already fiery sectarian passions.

"The Americans wanted to delay the execution by 15 days because they weren't keen on having him executed straight away," said the senior Iraqi official, who was involved in the events leading to Saddam's death and spoke on condition of anonymity.

"But during the day (on Friday) the prime minister's office provided all the documents they asked for and the Americans changed their minds when they saw the prime minister was very insistent. Then it was just a case of finalising the details."

A U.S. embassy spokesman declined immediate comment.

LinkHere

Oops. Gee, Bushco misread public opinion again.