IRAQ: Families of mass grave victims seek compensation

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/IRIN/f7eb972a4540cc173a0d6b63195451b5.htm

BAGHDAD, 29 November (IRIN) - Relatives of the victims found in a mass grave discovered in the city of Talafar in early November are calling for compensation, particularly for those who have left orphans and widows behind.

"We want justice," urged Kadham Abbas, a 34-year old cousin of one of the victims found in the improvised gravesite. "We know we can't bring back our loved ones or find those who killed them, but the government has to help."

The mass grave, which contained 56 mostly beheaded and burnt bodies, was found in an empty house in the city of Talafar, 418 kilometres northwest of the capital, Baghdad, during military operations in the area.

According to local Iraqi military sources, the house had been occupied by "terrorists" since July 2005, when local people appealed to the government for action against alleged insurgents occupying much of the town.

[FloridaPat]

1. So who's going to get the most money from our gov't - the soldiers

stuck fighting this mess or the Iraqs who have been illegally invaded and murdered?

Our gov't is starting to look like the prime example of how not to run a country. Too bad the people responsible are getting rich and probably will get off scott free while the rest of us pay for all this.