Chalabi is on the lam

* ap:

"Ahmad Chalabi, a former Pentagon favorite who was once Iraq's deputy prime minister, urged the United States to open talks with Iran, saying Saturday that it could help reduce sectarian violence in Iraq and allow U.S. forces to withdraw.
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He cited the rise in American deaths and sectarian violence, and the fact that the main grounds for the invasion turned out to be false. But, he said, "it is indisputable that Saddam was an evil force and that he had links to terrorist organizations."

In a wide-ranging interview at his home in central London, Chalabi - a moderate secularist Shiite - criticized secret talks between Iraq's Sunni Arab-led insurgency and U.S. officials, saying they would not help stabilize Iraq's fragile government, reduce violence or pave the way for U.S. forces to leave Iraq.
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"Iran and Turkey, both powerful neighbors of Iraq, must be involved in the process to help Iraq's security situation improve and its democratic process and economy develop," Chalabi said.
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In addition, Chalabi was convicted in absentia in 1992 by a Jordanian military court of embezzlement, fraud and breach of trust after a bank he ran collapsed with about $300 million in missing deposits. Chalabi, who denies wrongdoing, was sentenced to 22 years in prison in Jordan but has yet to serve a day.
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During the interview, Chalabi sided with U.S. analysts who have suggested that the United States should encourage a reconciliation conference, bringing in not only Iraqis but also countries such as Iran and Turkey."

wow. nice of AP to mention the fact that chalabi is a convicted felon. that usually doesn't make it's way into reports. remember the time that GWB met with the King of Jordan, and the King had to edumucate GWB about the fact that Chalabi is on the lam? hysterical.