In the fine Republican tradition that saw John Ashcroft installed as Attorney General after being defeated by a dead man in his run for the Senate, Chalabi after being trounced electorally has been named Iraq Oil Minister in an effort to placate Cheneyburton and decrease gasoline prices in Iraq.
The oil minister, Ibrahim Bahr al-Uloum, had been outspoken in his opposition to the decision earlier this month to triple the price of the most common type of gasoline while raising prices for diesel ninefold. He said that while some increases were needed, such large ones would put far too heavy a burden on Iraqis.
But upon returning from vacation outside Iraq this week, Mr. Uloum learned that Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari had ordered him to give up his post for the next 30 days, according to an Oil Ministry spokesman.
"When he came back he was astonished to find that the prime minister issued a letter ordering Dr. Ibrahim to stay 30 more days on holiday because of his disagreement and his threats to resign from office," said the spokesman, Asim Jihad.
Mr. Uloum has been replaced by Ahmad Chalabi, the deputy prime minister and onetime White House favorite who served as interim oil minister earlier this year. An aide to Mr. Chalabi said it was not clear how long he would stay in the post or whether Mr. Uloum would return.
It seems Cheneyburton has closed down refineries due to threats of attack, but now Chalabi's got a job, they don't have to worry about protection from their own contractors anymore.
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