Yes, the Canadian gene pool has been contaminated by the wimp gene.

Abdul Hussain Hindawi, head of the Electoral Commission, is upbeat about the challenges: "All the Iraqi people want the elections. . . . We are very optimistic and very realistic at the same time. We know that there will be a lot of difficulties. . . . (Iraqis) want a legitimate power and they want to close this chapter which they have endured for more than 50 years." The report notes that "almost 14 million of Iraq's 25 million people have been enrolled as voters. . . . Hindawi estimates up to 15 million may be eligible to vote."

Iraq's Independent Electoral Commission has decided to allow Iraqis living overseas to participate in the election. "Millions of Iraq's most well-educated citizens fled the country during the oppressive reign of toppled president Saddam Hussein. Many have returned to the country since the collapse of his regime after last year's US-led invasion, but more than three million Iraqis remain overseas." Giving overseas Iraqis the opportunity to vote will cost $90 million out of $340 million the Iraqi authorities have allocated for the election. To make it happen the International Organization for Migration has signed a memorandum of understanding with Iraqi Electoral Commission to implement an Out of Country Voting Program. The organization will conduct voter registration for overseas Iraqis in 14 countries

Overall, the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund has allocated $871 million in 2004 for democracy support and various governance and elections programs throughout Iraq. This is a $180 million increase from the previous commitment:

    * $40 million to ensure the Iraqi Electoral Commission has the technical capacity to run and certify free and fair national elections;

    * $20 million for a nationwide elections monitoring program, bringing the total for this activity to $45 million;

    * $100 million to support local and provincial government institutions, bringing the total for this activity to $234 million; and

    * $20 million to support Iraqi Interim Government national institutions, bringing the total for this activity to $41 million.

The report adds that "the $871 million also includes $30 million for the National Endowment for Democracy to provide technical assistance and training for moderate and democratic political parties in Iraq."

Other assistance and offers of help keep flowing in. The European Union is providing an additional £20 million ($38 million) for technical advice and support for the election. At a recent meeting in Brussels, interim Prime Minister Iyad Allawi received "the full red-carpet treatment normally accorded to a world leader":

    The warm welcome from all EU leaders is a mark of European solidarity in the rebuilding of Iraq, despite continuing deep divisions over the legitimacy of the war. Explaining the reception being given someone who is technically still only an interim leader of his country, one EU official said: "This is a sign of our determination to help Iraq on the road to democracy."

Iraq's neighbors also have high hopes for the election. According to Jordan's Prince Hassan, uncle of King Abdullah, "Doing it right in Iraq is so important for the region as a whole. It will create a positive climate, a new dynamic, and a precedent for citizens' empowerment."

Uncle Sam