+++Brown admits mistakes to Iraq War inquiry+++

Saddam documents declassified

A few hat tips for this story. The Spectator, The Washington Post and The National Security Archive all report the declassification and release (via a Freedom of Information Act request) of the interrogation of one Mr Saddam Hussein, following his detention in 2004.

The documents provide a fascinating insight into the former dictators last months, weeks and days before his execution.

Saddam, the documents portray, was petrified of an ennobled Iran ready to attack Iraq at any given moment, especially if evidence of a weakened country was leaked to the world.

This, the papers suggests, was Saddam's justification for barring the UN weapons inspection teams, particularly in the wake of the Gulf War and later led by Hans Blix.

It also goes to note that there was no links with Al Qeada, merely 'opposing US policies' and not viewing the country with hostility. This was a key suggestion during the build up to the Iraq War. Indeed, with the redaction of certain elements the extend of this accusation can not be explored fully.

The comments on Saddam's in difference to the effects of his social and political 'management' also provide a fascinating insight, albeit a slightly sickly and obviously biased view of a man fearful for his life.

With the announcement in the UK of an independent Iraq War inquiry in private/public (delete as appropriate), as well as the declassification of documents and sources such as these, perhaps a more rounded picture of the "greatest foreign policy disaster of the twenty first century" (in the words of Nick Clegg) can begin to emerge.

Observer: Blair pushed for secret inquiry

The Observer this morning reports that former PM Tony Blair pushed for the much anticipated Iraq War inquiry to be held in private.

The paper alleges that Blair communicated through Sir Gus O Donnell, imploring Brown to keep the inquiry private, something Brown duly ceded to.

If the story is correct it demonstrates two aspects.

Firstly, Brown is now too weak. He fears the Blairite element and worries about angering the 'loyal', so to speak.

Secondly, and this is perhaps more telling, it suggests that Blair feels a degree of nerves not only for himself but for the people who surrounded him during the conflict. Remember, our current Justice, Foreign, Home, Defense and numerous other secretaries were all part of the Blair cabinet. As was our current Prime Minister.

Now why would he be so nervous for their futures?