[SamAdams76]

I've been thinking. If Saddam was killed on the first night and the U.S. military knows and the Iraqi high command knows, then why would both of them want to keep it a secret?

Well the Iraqi high command would want to keep it a secret probably because if the Iraqi people knew that the brutal dictator was dead, why the people would probably riot in the streets (out of joy) and rip them to pieces. Hell, the Iraqi high command probably fears the U.S. military less than they fear their own people once they find out that Saddam is gone. So they continue to attempt to pretend Saddam is still alive so that they can surrender directly to U.S. troops and come under their protection.

The U.S. would want to keep this a secret because they also want to keep civil unrest in Baghdad to a minimum until they can secure the area. As well, they would prefer to negotiate a surrender with the Iraqi high command so that they can take them into custody and extract important information from them - such as where the WMD are located and other such information.

Anyway, those are the reasons I came up with regarding why both sides might want to keep a lid on this for now (if Saddam is indeed dead, as I believe that he may well be.)

[dfwgator]

I agree 100% with your assessment.

[Consort]

I won't believe he's dead until I see the living proof.

[Cold Heat]

Sounds reasonable to me.

[Dolphy]

I agree with you, the US wants to lead the establishment of a new government. They can't do that if there is chaos on the streets, they need to be in position.

[PianoMan]

We had a very similar conversation at work. The Iraqi High Command wants to secure their welfare so they're not torn apart by the mob. And the US want to take care of all they need to take care of around the country - Al Qaeda Cells, WMD labs, etc., before they declare the conflict over. So it could very possibly be all over but kept on the DL since it's a win-win for both parties.

[stlnative]

You forgot that the US may want to keep it quiet, so that we are able to complete the mission with whatever force we need to use without the world going ape-poop over it if they know Saddam is dead. We have to get out the higher military in Baghdad and around it.

[null and void]

I've been thinking. If Saddam was killed on the first night and the U.S. military knows and the Iraqi high command knows, then why would both of them want to keep it a secret?

Well the Iraqi high command would want to keep it a secret probably because if the Iraqi people knew that the brutal dictator was dead, why the people would probably riot in the streets (out of joy) and rip them to pieces. Hell, the Iraqi high command probably fears the U.S. military less than they fear their own people once they find out that Saddam is gone. So they continue to attempt to pretend Saddam is still alive so that they can surrender directly to U.S. troops and come under their protection.

The U.S. would want to keep this a secret because they also want to keep civil unrest in Baghdad to a minimum until they can secure the area. As well, they would prefer to negotiate a surrender with the Iraqi high command so that they can take them into custody and extract important information from them - such as where the WMD are located and other such information.

Anyway, those are the reasons I came up with regarding why both sides might want to keep a lid on this for now (if Saddam is indeed dead, as I believe that he may well be.)

Hmmmm. Makes sense to me!

[P.O.E.]

negotiate a surrender with the Iraqi high command so that they can take them into custody and extract important information from them - such as where the WMD are located

Finding WMD will be the blockbuster news item. I imagine this is very high on the priority list. I hope they find them soon, this would put the final nail in the anti-war arguments.