bribery
Cash has become the US military's first line of defence in parts of Iraq, with soldiers distributing money to buy goodwill and counter their enemies' offers of money to Iraqis to attack Americans.
Even patrol leaders now carry envelopes of cash to spend in their areas. The money comes from brigade commanders, who get $US50,000 ($A70,000) to $US100,000 a month to distribute for local rehabilitation and emergency welfare projects through the Commanders Emergency Response Program.
There are few restrictions on the expenditure, and officers acknowledge they consider the money another weapon.
...
extortion
July 27 2004 at 10:36AM
US threatens to withdraw aid for Fallujah
Baghdad - United States aircraft dropped leaflets on the rebellious Iraqi city of Fallujah on Tuesday, warning residents they will lose $102-million (about R637-million) in rebuilding funds if they do not halt attacks and allow US troops to enter freely.
After fierce fighting in April in which hundreds of Iraqis were killed, American forces withdrew from Fallujah and handed over responsibility for security to an Iraqi brigade.
Critics say the move has turned Fallujah into a safe haven for insurgents and put the city under the control of guerrillas.
"If the security situation does not improve you will lose $102-million, which is already allocated and approved. This amount of money will be transferred to peaceful and open towns," the leaflet said.
...
Cash has become the US military's first line of defence in parts of Iraq, with soldiers distributing money to buy goodwill and counter their enemies' offers of money to Iraqis to attack Americans.
Even patrol leaders now carry envelopes of cash to spend in their areas. The money comes from brigade commanders, who get $US50,000 ($A70,000) to $US100,000 a month to distribute for local rehabilitation and emergency welfare projects through the Commanders Emergency Response Program.
There are few restrictions on the expenditure, and officers acknowledge they consider the money another weapon.
...
extortion
July 27 2004 at 10:36AM
US threatens to withdraw aid for Fallujah
Baghdad - United States aircraft dropped leaflets on the rebellious Iraqi city of Fallujah on Tuesday, warning residents they will lose $102-million (about R637-million) in rebuilding funds if they do not halt attacks and allow US troops to enter freely.
After fierce fighting in April in which hundreds of Iraqis were killed, American forces withdrew from Fallujah and handed over responsibility for security to an Iraqi brigade.
Critics say the move has turned Fallujah into a safe haven for insurgents and put the city under the control of guerrillas.
"If the security situation does not improve you will lose $102-million, which is already allocated and approved. This amount of money will be transferred to peaceful and open towns," the leaflet said.
...
