An Iraqi policeman (C) flashes a V-sign as he poses for a picture with members of Al-Sahwa, the so-called Iraqi Awakening Council, and an Iraqi soldier in the village of al-Hadid, on the outskirts of the restive city of Baquba northeast of Baghdad, 05 January 2008. Collapse(ALI YUSSEF/AFP/Getty Images)
Iraq To Cut Sunni Anti-Terrorism Salaries -- UPI
BAGHDAD, Nov. 3 (UPI) -- The Iraqi government plans to cut the salaries of the Sunni Arab members of the U.S.-created Awakening anti-terrorism brigades, officials say.
Government spokesman Tahseen al-Sheikhly told the Chicago Tribune that starting this month, Awakening members will be paid 300,000 Iraqi dinars, or about $250 per month, compared to between $400 and $600 per month previously.
The Awakening leaders, some of whom were formerly insurgent fighters opposing U.S.-led coalition forces, have played a key role in opposing al-Qaida In Iraq terrorists, who are also Sunnis. But their relations with Iraq's Shiite-led government are tense, and the move to cut their salaries could add to that tension, some members told the newspaper.
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My Comment: This is a very bad sign. Expect tensions and animosities to increase as more and more Sunnis start to feel that they are being marginalized in their own country.