Iraqi Officials Wage Political War in U.S. (Chalabi)

[Barrett808]

Iraqi Officials Wage Political War in U.S.
By Paul Richter Times Staff Writer

WASHINGTON — While ordinary Iraqis argue in dusty streets over the shape of their country's new order, leaders of their provisional government are battling for power where it already exists — in Washington.

Led by Ahmad Chalabi, one of the best-connected and most controversial Iraqi officials here, members of the Iraqi Governing Council are using lobbyists, political advisors and public relations firms to strengthen their ties with U.S. policymakers and reach the broader American and international audience.

The idea is to get Americans to help create the Iraq these leaders want, to help position them for leadership roles and to outflank their equally ambitious rivals.

Some say the politicking has gone too far. Almost from the day they were appointed, members of the Governing Council had drawn complaints from U.S. officials that they were spending too much time abroad and not enough on duties in Baghdad.

"They're all campaigning to be president," one U.S. official groused last fall.

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