Originally Posted By Darkbeer <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16384738/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16 384738/</a> >>Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein, sentenced to death for his role in 148 killings in 1982, will have his sentence carried out by Sunday, NBC News reported Thursday. According to a U.S. military officer who spoke on condition of anonymity, Saddam will be hanged before the start of the Eid religious holiday, which begins this Sunday. The hanging could take place as early as Friday, NBC’s Richard Engel reported. The U.S. military received a formal request from the Iraqi government to transfer Saddam to Iraqi authorities, NBC reported on Thursday, which is one of the final steps required before his execution. His sentence, handed down last month, ordered that he be hanged within 30 days. <<
Originally Posted By jonvn Well, I hope they let him live until New Years, because I'd feel terrible if he had to miss Dick Clark and New Year's Rockin' Eve.
Originally Posted By Darkbeer Is this being done to upstage President Ford's State Funeral Saturday night?
Originally Posted By Kar2oonMan I wonder if the execution will be televised in Iraq, or if it will happen like American executions, with only a handful of witnesses? If it is done behind closed doors, will Iraqis believe he is really dead? And if it isn't will there be protests or outbursts of any kind?
Originally Posted By gadzuux Reports are that there will be officials of the "iraqi government" present, as well as coalition representatives, but no media. I suspect that grisly photos of the corpse will be provided. It's barbaric, sure - but we're no better.
