I do like waking up to tasty news. Seems we've raided Chalabi's digs and the HQ of his Iraqi National Congress. Tuesday, we cut off his allowance. He is so not getting a Christmas present this year.
U.S. soldiers and Iraqi police surrounded the residence of Iraqi politician Ahmad Chalabi (search) on Thursday, and an aide said the troops raided the house ostensibly to search for fugitives.
The aide, Haidar Musawi (search), accused the Americans of trying to pressure Chalabi, a longtime Pentagon favorite who has become openly critical of U.S. plans for how much power to transfer to the Iraqis on June 30.
He said the Americans also raided offices of Chalabi's Iraqi National Congress.
"The aim is to put political pressure," Musawi told The Associated Press. "Why is this happening at a time when the government is being formed?"
There was no comment from the U.S. military press office. Police sealed off the residence in the city's fashionable Mansour district and would not allow reporters to approach. At least two Humvees could be seen, with a dozen U.S. troops milling about.
Several armed Westerners were also seen, wearing flak vests and using SUVs without license tags — vehicles associated here with U.S. security.
Some people could be seen loading boxes into vehicles, and neighbors said some members of Chalabi's entourage were taken away.
Update:
An AP story has an anonymous source saying Chalabi was interfering in the investigation of the UN Food-for-Oil scandal.
(Via FR.)
Update II:
The VOA choice of a Chalabi pic is a hoot. Looky whose pic is in the place of honor behind him.
