Joe:

That was pretty much my reaction as I expressed in the comments section of this post on Obsidian Wings. I was scolded for it. Roger Simon expressed a similar opinion:

Meanwhile, the Iraqi government has issued a denial. They say Allawi never carries a gun. I don't know the truth of this obviously. Not too many direct sources on the matter here in the Hollywood Hills. And there are about as many possibilities as there are pills in my Lipitor bottle -- and I have a three month supply. Allawi (or his allies) may even have instigated the rumor himself to give the PM "street cred."

Joe:
I have several problems with this report. As usual no one seems to get the facts straight but by all indications Paul McGeough is the lead on the story. These stories range from the impression of many on lookers to only two actually witnessing the events. In all cases the only common thread is the described event happened days prior to the exchange of power and only one unnamed witness which is the source. Personally I need some questions answered or I must write it off as myth / propaganda.

1 - Given Allawi’s position before and after the exchange of power it seems to me he would have been highly guarded no matter where he went or what he did. Why has only one source come forward?

2 - Given Allawi’s status I believe it is safe to say that his activity was also closely monitored by US personnel and mandate. Why have we heard nothing from those sources?

3 - If US sources had witnessed this activity why would they remain silent? After all this is before the exchange of power. Given the stakes on the table I would certainly think our sources would have spoken up.

For these reasons I'm more inclined to believe this is nothing but shall we say urban legend. Bottom line is validation as of yet is very weak to say the least.

USMC,

Agree, and there are strong elements here that fit the "Jenin pattern" of urban legend - vague stories, few specifics or times, A heard about... but witnesses or names hard to come by.

Tim Blair's post referenced above goes into more depth re: more of the possible inconsistencies.

I still say Zappa's advice to Alice Cooper is right on for Allawi if he wants to keep his popularity and support in Iraq high. The way the rumours are evolvong in Iraq (Allawi chopping up foreign jihadis with axes, etc.) says a lot about the underlying feelings of the Iraqis repeating them.

I think it's a clever leak. This is what a lot of people need to hear to have confidence that he's no pushover.