With understandable skepticism, my blogfather Jeff discusses this report from Debka that Saddam Hussein was being held prisoner by Iraqis seeking to claim the reward money:

Saddam was seized, possibly with the connivance of his own men, and held in that hole in Adwar for three weeks or more, which would have accounted for his appearance and condition. Meanwhile, his captors bargained for the $25 m prize the Americans promised for information leading to his capture alive or dead. The negotiations were mediated by Jalal Talabani's Kurdish PUK militia.

These circumstances would explain the ex-ruler's docility ­ described by Lt.Gen. Ricardo Sanchez as "resignation"­ in the face of his capture by US forces. He must have regarded them as his rescuers and would have greeted them with relief.

And they'd certainly get the reward anyway. Why go through this charade of allowing the Americans to appear to capture him?

And why would American soldiers participate in such a charade?

Surely someone would talk.

As Benjamin Franklin said, "Three can keep a secret -- if two of them are dead."

As to Saddam Hussein's docility, I think this is a more likely explanation.

ANOTHER THOUGHT: And since when are "prisoners" given:

I'll move there right now and surrender!