Iraq plans to cut Sunni fighters' salaries

[sabra]

Source: Chicago Tribune

Critics say move could unravel security gains


BAGHDAD — The Iraqi government plans to cut salaries for the estimated 100,000 members of the Awakening movement whose revolt against Al Qaeda in Iraq played a key role in bringing about the sharp fall in violence in Iraq.

The move is certain to aggravate building tensions between the Sunni volunteer force and the Shiite-led government, which assumed responsibility for the Awakening movement from the U.S. military earlier this month.

The U.S. military, which calls the movement the Sons of Iraq, had been paying members $300 a month to carry guns and protect their neighborhoods against Al Qaeda.

Starting this month, Awakening members will be paid 300,000 Iraqi dinars, or about $250 a month, according to government spokesman Tahseen al-Sheikhly. Awakening leaders, who had been earning $400 to $600, will also receive the lower salary.

Iraq smolders even as it cools as voter issue Shuja Naje Shaker, an Awakening leader in the Guardians of Ghazaliyah, one of western Baghdad's former hot spots, warned that Awakening members won't be happy.



Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-iraq-sons_slynov03,0,827146.story

[illuminaughty]

1. Thus, the end of "the surge"

[LynnTheDem]

3. Yeppers.

[agincourt]

2. The US govt

is probably the one who is indirectly paying these salaries. Great way to make Obama look like he "lost Iraq". Rabid partisanism at a geo political level.

[Alcibiades]

4. In a desperate, last-minute attempt to lose

and blame it on Democrats.

[John Q. Citizen]

5. Time to unionize!