Iraq Report 26 December/05

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Merry Christmas!

TOP TOPICS

• Iraq's electoral commission said Saturday it would carry out a court decision to remove 90 people who were members Saddam Hussein's outlawed Baath party from the tickets of political parties and coalitions that participated in Dec. 15 elections.

Other Topics Today Include: Michael Yon on the elections, Bill Roggio updates from Iraq, John Mallon speaks, IMF stand-by arrangement, Reconstruction highlights, Iraqi death investigated, Pressure on Syria and Iran, Iraqi clerk death investigated, Iraqi Christmas, Zarqawi released - maybe, 4ID returns to Iraq

REPORTS FROM THE FIELD

• Michael Yon says, "Three times a charm."

• Check out the latest from Bill Roggio in Iraq.

• John Mallon, of Omaha, Nebraska, has something to say.

RECONSTRUCTION & THE ECONOMY

• The Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) today approved the institution's first-ever Stand-By Arrangement for Iraq, which is designed to support the nation's economic program over the next 15 months. The IMF arrangement, for an amount equivalent to SDR 475.4 million (about US$685 million), is being treated as precautionary by the Iraqi authorities.

IRAQI POLITICS

• Al-Arabiya satellite channel identified several high-profile detainees who were recently released from coalition custody. The report describes them as two former ministers of Saddam's government as well as an associate of Uday, Saddam's son.

THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE

• US Ambassador to Iraq, Zalmay Khalilzad says pressure is still on Syria and Iran to prevent insurgents from entering Iraq.

• The British Royal Court of Appeal has ordered a Royal Military Police investigation into the death, while in British custody, of Iraqi hotel clerk Baha Mousa.

ETCETERA

• Like a lot of Iraqi Christians, Wasseem Dawood has adjusted to the new ways of marking Christmas. Like always, he will visit relatives, eat rich foods and buy new clothes. But this year, he will keep watch outside his church with a Kalashnikov rifle. Read the rest >>>

• It is reported that al Zarqawi was captured and then inadvertently released from custody.

• The US Fourth Infantry Division will return to Iraq. This time, with a new mission.

• Do you have your GI Bracelet? Many military families fall into financial hardship when the breadwinner is injured or killed. The entire purchase price of the GI Bracelet is donated to support our troops and their families! Please join us to give back to these brave people in their time of need.

• The troops are still there. So is the Winds of Change.NET consolidated directory of ways you can support the troops: American, Australian, British, Canadian & Polish. Anyone out there with more information, contact us!

• Many American troops have taken it upon themselves to reconstruct schools and gather learning tools for the children of Iraq. Their efforts have been met with immense gratitude from the local Iraqis and their children. You can help too! Visit Operation Iraqi Children and get involved.

• Don't forget Chief Wiggles' Toys for Iraq drive!

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