Millions of Iraqis Vote; 35 Die in Attacks

BAGHDAD (Reuters) - Millions of Iraqis flocked to vote in a historic election Sunday, defying insurgents who killed 35 people in a bloody assault on the poll.
Voters, some ululating with joy, others hiding their faces in fear, cast ballots in higher-than-expected numbers in Iraq's first multi-party election in half a century.
Samir Hassan, 32, who lost his leg in a car bomb blast last year, said as he waited to vote in Baghdad: "I would have crawled here if I had to. I don't want terrorists to kill other Iraqis like they tried to kill me."
But in parts of the Sunni Arab heartland, where the insurgency has been bloodiest, many polling stations were empty.
Despite draconian security measures imposed by Iraq's U.S.-backed interim government, militants launched a string of attacks to try to torpedo the polls.
They struck mainly in Baghdad, rocking the capital with nine suicide blasts in rapid succession. The Iraqi wing of al Qaeda, led by Abu Musab al-Zarqawi, claimed responsibility.
It had declared war on the election, vowing to kill any "infidel" who voted.
Despite the violence, election officials said the turnout had been above expectations.
They originally put it at 72 percent but later backtracked, saying possibly eight million had voted, which would be a little over 60 percent of registered voters. Election commission spokesman Farid Ayar acknowledged, however, that "the numbers are only guessing."
The government had set a target of at least 50 percent of Iraq's 13 million registered voters as the barometer of success.
After the polls closed, election workers started counting ballots by hand -- in some cases by candlelight due to widespread power outages. Officials expect preliminary results in six to seven days and final results in about 10 days.

U.S. Hails Iraqi Vote; Rice Says Tough Days Ahead

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice hailed Sunday's landmark elections as "the emergence of an Iraqi voice for freedom" but acknowledged there would be many difficult days ahead.
Although participation estimates varied, Rice, who just took office last week as the top U.S. diplomat, told ABC's "This Week" that Iraqis defied expectations to turn out in large numbers.
Later, Rice told "Fox News Sunday," she had spoken with President Bush who was very pleased by the voting, which will have broad implications for his legacy and his sweeping vision to bring democracy to the Middle East.
Bush "is just so incredibly encouraged by the Iraqi people. ... He just said this is a great day for the Iraqi people," Rice said.
Rice expressed confidence that minority Sunnis, a key to Iraq's future stability, would be included in the post-election political process.
She vowed that America would help Iraqi voters -- who defied threats and deadly attacks to cast ballots -- to "finish the job" of bringing democracy to their country.
"Every indication is that the election is going better than could have been expected ... What we're seeing here is the emergence of an Iraqi voice for freedom," she said in the ABC interview taped on Sunday for broadcast later in the day.
She added: "Of course, there are many, many difficult days ahead. But this has been an extraordinary day so far for the Iraqi people."
Her appearances on U.S. television networks occurred before word came of the crash in Iraq of a British C-130 Hercules transport plane. Britain's Ministry of Defense said there was no word on the cause of the crash or whether there were any casualties.
Rice acknowledged that turnout estimates ranged widely from 50 percent to 72 percent of Iraqi voters.
It would be some time before the exact number is known but "the Iraqi people have clearly turned out ... because they recognize the vote is their opportunity for a different kind of future," she said.

Chelsea makes

The club spent £175m on new players last season, more than doubling its annual payroll to £115m.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said the club aimed to break even by the financial year of 2009-2010.
He said: "Two years ago we were seen as streets paved with gold. That is over. Chelsea is now being run properly."
The club is "being run as a business", he said.
Manchester United's payroll at the same time was £77m. At the other end of the league, West Bromwich Albion's in 2003 was just £11.5m.
Wages gobbled up 76% of Chelsea's total income last year, way beyond what is considered prudent.
'Ruinous'
Mr Kenyon has vowed to bring down that figure to no more than 55%.
For almost any other British club, a financial imbalance on this scale would be ruinous.
Not so at Chelsea. Owner, Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire, underpins the club's finances with a loan of £115m.
Our squad was too large and too expensive
Peter Kenyon
Without his cash, Chelsea's auditors, KPMG, would not be able to sign off the business as a going concern.
The club's accounts for 2003-04, which have been seen by the BBC, will be lodged with Companies House on Monday.
Not surprisingly, many Chelsea supporters are worried about what might happen to their team if Mr Abramovich were to lose interest.

Kenyon says Roman Abramovich had not made a vanity purchaseThey remember only too well the previous record loss, announced by Leeds United in 2003, which led to the Yorkshire club nearly collapsing.
But Mr Kenyon insists that Blues fans should relax: "Roman is at Chelsea for the long run. He has bought in completely to the vision of making this club one of the biggest and best in Europe.
"This was not a vanity purchase for the owner. It's a serious investment with a long-term business plan."
Mr Kenyon, who was hired from Manchester United one year ago, has been spectacularly well rewarded for his 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
His total remuneration last year was £3.5m, which included a signing-on fee and compensation for loss of benefits at Old Trafford.
Few executives outside those with elite FTSE-100 companies can expect to earn anything like this.
Revenues
Last year, the club increased revenues by 40% to £152m, reflecting an excellent run to the semi-final of the European Champions League and stronger merchandising.
But Mr Kenyon said there is still a long way to go: "Our sponsorship income, match day receipts and TV revenues are all capable of significant growth."
Having dumped Umbro as its kit supplier, Chelsea has signed an eight-year deal with Adidas, worth £100m.

Fans worry Abramovich's interest may waneSeveral international companies are vying to strike a shirt sponsorship deal for the 2006-07 season.
Chelsea has also targeted the United States and China as overseas markets where its brand could sell well.
While trying to pump up income, Kenyon insists the club has also set itself "some aggressive targets" for reducing its payroll.
"Our squad was too large and too expensive," he admitted.
Leeds buckled under massive debts. A similar outcome is hardly likely at Chelsea
Jeff Randall Outgoings on transfer fees this season are so far only half what they were in 2003-04.
As part of this economy drive, Chelsea has invested heavily in a training and youth facility at Cobham, where the club hopes to develop - instead of having to buy - its stars of the future.
Chelsea's Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, has told Mr Kenyon that he is happy with his 24-man squad and accepts that, from now on, if the club wants to make a big-money purchase, a player will have to be sold to help fund the deal.
Chelsea's commercial budget is not based on winning a trophy, but it does assume a top-four finish in the Premiership, thereby guaranteeing a lucrative place in the Champions League.

Chelsea budgets on a top-four premiership finishSuch an assumption was also made by Leeds United, which turned out to be a near-fatal mistake when it failed to qualify. It then buckled under the weight of massive debts.
A similar outcome is hardly likely at Chelsea.
In 18 just months, Abramovich has poured a king's ransom into the west London club; it seems inconceivable that he would abandon it before having enjoyed lasting success on the pitch.
The Russian is living the dream. Unlike the former regime at Leeds, he can well afford his reveries.

Chelsea makes biggest ever loss

The club spent £175m on new players last season, more than doubling its annual payroll to £115m.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said the club aimed to break even by the financial year of 2009-2010.
He said: "Two years ago we were seen as streets paved with gold. That is over. Chelsea is now being run properly."
The club is "being run as a business", he said.
Manchester United's payroll at the same time was £77m. At the other end of the league, West Bromwich Albion's in 2003 was just £11.5m.
Wages gobbled up 76% of Chelsea's total income last year, way beyond what is considered prudent.
'Ruinous'
Mr Kenyon has vowed to bring down that figure to no more than 55%.
For almost any other British club, a financial imbalance on this scale would be ruinous.
Not so at Chelsea. Owner, Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire, underpins the club's finances with a loan of £115m.
Our squad was too large and too expensive
Peter Kenyon
Without his cash, Chelsea's auditors, KPMG, would not be able to sign off the business as a going concern.
The club's accounts for 2003-04, which have been seen by the BBC, will be lodged with Companies House on Monday.
Not surprisingly, many Chelsea supporters are worried about what might happen to their team if Mr Abramovich were to lose interest.

Kenyon says Roman Abramovich had not made a vanity purchaseThey remember only too well the previous record loss, announced by Leeds United in 2003, which led to the Yorkshire club nearly collapsing.
But Mr Kenyon insists that Blues fans should relax: "Roman is at Chelsea for the long run. He has bought in completely to the vision of making this club one of the biggest and best in Europe.
"This was not a vanity purchase for the owner. It's a serious investment with a long-term business plan."
Mr Kenyon, who was hired from Manchester United one year ago, has been spectacularly well rewarded for his 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
His total remuneration last year was £3.5m, which included a signing-on fee and compensation for loss of benefits at Old Trafford.
Few executives outside those with elite FTSE-100 companies can expect to earn anything like this.
Revenues
Last year, the club increased revenues by 40% to £152m, reflecting an excellent run to the semi-final of the European Champions League and stronger merchandising.
But Mr Kenyon said there is still a long way to go: "Our sponsorship income, match day receipts and TV revenues are all capable of significant growth."
Having dumped Umbro as its kit supplier, Chelsea has signed an eight-year deal with Adidas, worth £100m.

Chelsea makes 'biggest ever' loss

The club spent £175m on new players last season, more than doubling its annual payroll to £115m.
Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon said the club aimed to break even by the financial year of 2009-2010.
He said: "Two years ago we were seen as streets paved with gold. That is over. Chelsea is now being run properly."
The club is "being run as a business", he said.
Manchester United's payroll at the same time was £77m. At the other end of the league, West Bromwich Albion's in 2003 was just £11.5m.
Wages gobbled up 76% of Chelsea's total income last year, way beyond what is considered prudent.
'Ruinous'
Mr Kenyon has vowed to bring down that figure to no more than 55%.
For almost any other British club, a financial imbalance on this scale would be ruinous.
Not so at Chelsea. Owner, Roman Abramovich, the Russian billionaire, underpins the club's finances with a loan of £115m.
Our squad was too large and too expensive
Peter Kenyon
Without his cash, Chelsea's auditors, KPMG, would not be able to sign off the business as a going concern.
The club's accounts for 2003-04, which have been seen by the BBC, will be lodged with Companies House on Monday.
Not surprisingly, many Chelsea supporters are worried about what might happen to their team if Mr Abramovich were to lose interest.

Kenyon says Roman Abramovich had not made a vanity purchaseThey remember only too well the previous record loss, announced by Leeds United in 2003, which led to the Yorkshire club nearly collapsing.
But Mr Kenyon insists that Blues fans should relax: "Roman is at Chelsea for the long run. He has bought in completely to the vision of making this club one of the biggest and best in Europe.
"This was not a vanity purchase for the owner. It's a serious investment with a long-term business plan."
Mr Kenyon, who was hired from Manchester United one year ago, has been spectacularly well rewarded for his 12 months at Stamford Bridge.
His total remuneration last year was £3.5m, which included a signing-on fee and compensation for loss of benefits at Old Trafford.
Few executives outside those with elite FTSE-100 companies can expect to earn anything like this.
Revenues
Last year, the club increased revenues by 40% to £152m, reflecting an excellent run to the semi-final of the European Champions League and stronger merchandising.
But Mr Kenyon said there is still a long way to go: "Our sponsorship income, match day receipts and TV revenues are all capable of significant growth."
Having dumped Umbro as its kit supplier, Chelsea has signed an eight-year deal with Adidas, worth £100m.

Fans worry Abramovich's interest may waneSeveral international companies are vying to strike a shirt sponsorship deal for the 2006-07 season.
Chelsea has also targeted the United States and China as overseas markets where its brand could sell well.
While trying to pump up income, Kenyon insists the club has also set itself "some aggressive targets" for reducing its payroll.
"Our squad was too large and too expensive," he admitted.
Leeds buckled under massive debts. A similar outcome is hardly likely at Chelsea
Jeff Randall Outgoings on transfer fees this season are so far only half what they were in 2003-04.
As part of this economy drive, Chelsea has invested heavily in a training and youth facility at Cobham, where the club hopes to develop - instead of having to buy - its stars of the future.
Chelsea's Portuguese coach, Jose Mourinho, has told Mr Kenyon that he is happy with his 24-man squad and accepts that, from now on, if the club wants to make a big-money purchase, a player will have to be sold to help fund the deal.
Chelsea's commercial budget is not based on winning a trophy, but it does assume a top-four finish in the Premiership, thereby guaranteeing a lucrative place in the Champions League.

Chelsea budgets on a top-four premiership finishSuch an assumption was also made by Leeds United, which turned out to be a near-fatal mistake when it failed to qualify. It then buckled under the weight of massive debts.
A similar outcome is hardly likely at Chelsea.
In 18 just months, Abramovich has poured a king's ransom into the west London club; it seems inconceivable that he would abandon it before having enjoyed lasting success on the pitch.
The Russian is living the dream. Unlike the former regime at Leeds, he can well afford his reveries.