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Iraqi Defense Minister Vows to Arrest Chalabi
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=B1EB9E:2AB91D3

Ahmad Chalabi has accused minister of involvement in controversial
transfer of $300 million in cash from Baghdad to Lebanon, reportedly
to purchase weapons, military equipment for Iraqi government forces
battling insurgents Iraq's defense minister says he intends to arrest
Iraqi National Congress leader Ahmad Chalabi for defamation, in a
widening dispute about corruption allegations involving senior figures
in the interim government.

Mr. Chalabi, one of Iraq's most prominent political figures, has
raised questions about Defense Minister Hazim al-Shalan's involvement
in a controversial transfer of $300 million in cash from Baghdad to
Lebanon, reportedly to purchase weapons and military equipment for
Iraqi government forces battling insurgents.

Mr. al-Shalan and the Iraqi National Congress leader both are seeking
National Assembly seats in Iraq's elections on January 30, and Mr.
Chalabi is considered a contender for the post of prime minister.

The New York Times newspaper reports the irregular $300 million
transfer is the source of widespread speculation among Iraqis and
Western officials in Baghdad. The newspaper quotes Iraq's national
security adviser Mowaffak al-Rubaie as saying official corruption in
Iraq "is worse now than in the Saddam Hussein era."

Minister al-Shalan denounced Mr. Chalabi Friday in an interview with
al-Jazeera, the Arab television that his own government has banned
from operating in Iraq since August. He did not detail his complaints,
but said he would have the INC leader arrested after the Eid al-Adha
Muslim holiday, which ends Sunday, and deported to Jordan. Mr. Chalabi
was convicted in absentia by a Jordanian court in 1992 of embezzling
funds from a bank he founded there.

Mr. Chalabi has not responded to the defense minister's charges. He is
said to be in southern Iraq involved in his political campaign.


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