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US Pushes for Sunni-Shiite Reconciliation

New strategy aims to integrate 'concerned' locals into government

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 14, 2008 2:59 PM CST

(Newser) – Convincing Iraq’s Shiite-dominated government to embrace the former Sunni insurgents known as “Concerned Local Citizens” is the key priority for US leaders in Iraq, the LA Times reports. The US-funded CLCs have been vital to Iraq’s improving security, patrolling areas without a regular police presence. But Iraqi leaders are resisting, fearing the creation of a rival Sunni army.

The 70,000 CLCs are too numerous to integrate into the Iraqi police. To compensate, many are being trained to fill civil service roles instead. But if reconciliation fails, US military leaders fear CLCs could coalesce into an army and cause civil war. "One of our biggest risks are CLCs and which way they'll go," said an aide to the US commander in Iraq.

A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group is seen in Quarghuli Village, about 12 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Lt. Gen. Odierno paid a visit to the village to thank the concerned citizens, armed residents who provide security in the restive area. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo)
A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group is seen in Quarghuli Village, about 12 miles south of Baghdad, Iraq, Wednesday, Oct. 17, 2007. Lt. Gen. Odierno paid a visit to the village to thank the...   (Associated Press)
A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group, right, and a U.S. Army soldier from 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry stand guard as an Iraqi family watches Iraqi soldiers search their home during a joint patrol in Hawr Rajab, a predominantly Sunni area of southern Baghdad, Iraq on Tuesday, Oct....
A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group, right, and a U.S. Army soldier from 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry stand guard as an Iraqi family watches Iraqi soldiers search their home during a joint patrol...   (Associated Press)
A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group stands guard over a man suspected of weapons trafficking during a joint patrol with U.S. and Iraqi troops in Hawr Rajab, a predominantly Sunni area of southern Baghdad, Iraq in this Oct. 9, 2007 file photo. (AP Photo/Maya Alleruzzo, File)
A member of the Concerned Local Citizens Group stands guard over a man suspected of weapons trafficking during a joint patrol with U.S. and Iraqi troops in Hawr Rajab, a predominantly Sunni area of southern...   (Associated Press)
Member of Local Concerned Citizens holds an alleged al-Qaida suspect in a small village of al-Aswad near the city of Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo)
Member of Local Concerned Citizens holds an alleged al-Qaida suspect in a small village of al-Aswad near the city of Baqouba, 35 miles northeast of Baghdad, Iraq, Thursday, Dec. 13, 2007. (AP Photo)   (Associated Press)
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