While I don't have the time to help you pinpoint your problem, I can suggest using shorthand CSS for your declarations.
For example:
Code:
background-image: url(images/right.jpg);
background-repeat: repeat-y;
background-position: right top;
Can become:
Code:
background: transparent url(images/right.jpg) right top repeat-y;
I would always use two values (horizontal and vertical) for background positions. That may be your IE problem.
Also, the "clearfix" you're using... I've never known it to work in IE. As a result, your containers may have no height, and hence no background image.