Report: U.S. doubted execution 'justice'

BAGHDAD, Dec. 31 (UPI) -- U.S. officials questioned the political wisdom and the justice of expediting the execution of Saddam Hussein, officials in Baghdad told The New York Times.

Citing Iraqi and American officials, the newspaper said U.S. officials advised Iraqis to use caution in carrying out the execution, but the decision was made in ways that required Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki to override constitutional and religious principals that might have afforded Saddam a more dignified demise.

U.S. concerns were underscored by events at the hanging, the Times said. Video recordings show several of those present in the room where Saddam was hanged Saturday morning mocked and taunted him.

Amid yells of "The tyrant has fallen! May God curse him!" and "Go to hell!" a voice, described by the newspaper as "official-sounding," can be heard saying, "Please no! The man is being executed."

U.S. officials in Iraq have not said much publicly about the matter, apparently for fear of recriminations from Washington, where the Bush administration has taken a hands-off stance, saying the timing was up to Iraq, the newspaper said.

U.S. officials are frustrated that the Maliki government fails to see how its behavior is "driving the country toward an abyss," the Times said.