Thursday, October 02, 2003

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST

If charges of accepting bribes are true it isn't hard to understand. It was the only way any policework has been done in Iraq for nearly 30 years.

So we still have a ways to go.
A demonstration by unemployed men in central Baghdad turned into a riot Wednesday with rock-throwing, gunshots and mayhem, the BBC said.

As many as 100 men gathered outside a police station where they said they had paid police officers for jobs.

They threw stones at policemen, who responded by firing into the air. It is not known if there were any injuries.

U.S. troops arrived at the scene, and firefighters were called to extinguish burning cars.

The police said there were people among the crowd who provoked and incited the violence.

"All these policemen are corrupt," said another. "We gave them money to register our names as candidates (for jobs) and when we returned they said we have no business being here."

Bribes of $100 were mentioned as being demanded in return for a job.

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