Government offers $800 to Baghdad displaced willing to return to original home; Claim 10,000 have already returned

A home abandoned by a Sunni family in Baghdad following death threats. The writing painted on the wall translates, 'Not for sale. Wanted.', and the two red x's indicat that the family has been marked for death.

BAGHDAD, 12 April 2007 (IRIN) - BAGHDAD, 12 April 2007 (IRIN) - The Iraqi government is giving out a cash inducement of one million Iraqi dinars (about US $800) to each displaced family in Baghdad willing to return to their original home, the country's Displacement and Migration Ministry said on Thursday.

"The cabinet endorsed the decision this week upon a request from the Minister of Displacement and Migration and it is in effect right now," Sattar Nawroz, the ministry's spokesman, told IRIN.

"Only Baghdad families are covered by this in the frame of Baghdad's new security plan [Operation Imposing Law]. Joint committees with interior and defence ministries have been formed to follow up," Nawroz said.

He added that about 10,000 individuals had returned to their homes since the US-led security clampdown was launched in Baghdad on 14 February.

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