IraqSlogger's Eason Jordan says that in his CNN interview yesterday, Ayad Allawi dissembled about whether he knew the exact amount and details of the lobbying contract. One sign: his signature on the contract:

When asked by Blitzer to confirm whether he was paying Washington lobbyists $300,000 to work on his behalf -- a story first reported by IraqSlogger -- Allawi said "I think those numbers are accurate" but said he was unsure of the exact amount being paid to the Republican lobbying firm because "I am not party to the exact amount."

The latter part of that statement is false because Allawi himself signed the August 20 contract with the Washington lobbying firm of Barbour Griffith & Rogers (BGR) -- a contract that spells out that Allawi is to pay BGR $300,000 over the next six months.

IraqSlogger obtained that BGR-Allawi contract and reported on it exclusively August 23.

Allawi said he hired the firm "because of the crucial role of the United States," adding: "We are asking this firm to help us to advocate our views, the views of the nationalistic Iraqis, the nonsectarian Iraqis."

The BGR point man on the Allawi contract is Robert Blackwill, who served in 2004 as President Bush's presidential envoy to Iraq.

While the BGR-Allawi contract calls for Allawi to make $50,000-a-month payments over six months, Allawi said the money wasn't his own but instead was coming from an Iraqi supporter of Allawi's Iraqi National Accord political party.

Allawi refused to identify the financial supporter by name.

Allawi said he'd return to Iraq in the days ahead to press his "fight for our country."

On the question of who's paying, a top contender is likely Hazem Shaalan. Some suggest he is a vehicle for Saudi/UAE money.

Posted by Laura at August 27, 2007 09:40 AM