"The key to success in operations like that is speed and secrecy," the deputy defense secretary told reporters shortly before returning to his tour of Iraq.

Commanders must act quickly and limit crosstalk so as not to tip off the suspects, Wolfowitz said.

"We've spent a lot of time over the last months, even year, in making sure, not only in Iraq, but throughout the global war on terrorism, that commanders have rules of engagement that allow them to act quickly and with minimal transmission of information where there's an opportunity like yesterday."

Wolfowitz was questioned about the battle US forces launched, using heavy weapons on a hideout in Mosul, northern Iraq, instead of surrounding the fortified house to capture sons Uday and Qusay alive in hopes of obtaining information from them and of trying them for their crimes.

The top US commander in Iraq, General Ricardo Sanchez, ducked similar questions from reporters earlier in the day, saying that commanders on the ground had made the decision.

Security experts said US officials may have feared that the men could have escaped.

Meanwhile Wolfowitz also said the Pentagon is considering whether or not to release photographs of the dead brothers which he suggested are graphic.

"We're still weighing the decision," he said.

He hinted the graphic photos might eventually be released, but said, "The main consideration on the other side in our minds is saving the lives of American men and women who are on the line.

A State Department official who declined to be named said the photos were "undoubtedly horrible, but we have to show them" to convince all the Iraqis that the two sons of the dictator are really dead."

Wolfowitz said the hesitation in releasing the photos of the bodies was "directly connected to security....The level of suspicion and paranoia is unbelievable," he said.

WAR.WIRE