Relatives of murdered Iraqi policemen to get wage for life

[UpInArms]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,2763,1262379,00.html

The families of Iraqi policemen killed by insurgents are to receive a lifetime wage, on top of a one-off compensation payment.

Iraq's prime minister, Ayad Allawi, announced the scheme yesterday following an opinion poll showing that Iraqi men are increasingly reluctant to join the security services. More than 500 police have died in the last year.

A further three died yesterday when a car bomb exploded in the western town of Haditha, apparently targeting police and government buildings. Seven civilians also died.

Four members of the Iraqi national guard, the army unit which serves in frontline urban positions, were among 11 people killed on Wednesday when a suicide bomber blew up a car at the entrance to the government headquarters in Baghdad's "green zone".

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A recent poll showed 43% would oppose a family member joining the national guard, and 41% are against a family member joining the police, up from 25% and 28% respectively.

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