Chalabi Ready For U.S. Visit, Another Shot At Limelight

"We plan to beat the corruption drum every day of the campaign," Brooke, the Chalabi aide, said.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended this past week, Chalabi hosted regular dinners for more than 100 tribal sheiks, politicians, journalists and others at his sprawling compound in the Baghdad neighborhood of Kadhimiyah.

One recent evening, he made his way through the crowd, laughing and slapping backs before breaking off for political discussions with small groups of potential supporters.

Some guests said Chalabi would attract more popular support than expected because of his wealth. "In Iraq, the most important power is money," said Najeeb Salihi, a politician from the Free Officer's Movement, which was formed to oppose Hussein's rule. "The same person, if he lives in a small house, might get 2,000 people" to support him, "but if he lives in a castle, he'll get 50,000 people."

Several guests, asked if they thought Iraqis trusted Chalabi enough to vote for him, said they preferred not to answer.

After dinner, in a brief poolside interview with reporters, Chalabi was reflective and coy when asked about his ambitions.

"I feel very good. I'm energized," he said. "Historically I had three targets. First, overthrow the dictatorship. Second, establish a constitutional, parliamentary, federal government. Third, put Saddam on trial. All these have been achieved."

And becoming prime minister? "It's not such a big deal," he said with a grin and a shrug.

Wright reported from Washington. Special correspondent Omar Fekeiki in Baghdad contributed to this report.