BAGHDAD, Iraq - Hundreds of men claiming to be former Iraqi soldiers converged at a U.S. base in central Baghdad and in the southern city of Basra on Sunday, demanding financial assistance in a second day of violent protests.
The unrest reflected growing tension over the high unemployment rate in Iraq after the collapse of Saddam Hussein's military, formerly a major employer.
...
Coalition spokesman Charles Heatley said some Iraqis were refused payment because they could not prove they had been in the military.
"We made payments right through 9:15 p.m. They had a list of conscripts entitled to pay. Those who came and were able to prove their ID received their payments," he said.
The protesters who "have come forward saying they should be paid are not on the list as far as we're concerned and they were not conscripts in the army."
Coalition officials say the violent demonstrations, instead, were being provoked by remnants of Saddam's Baath Party, some of whom were arrested on Saturday.
"It's absolutely clear to us that there were former, very senior Baathist officers, some who are now in custody, who were stirring up these crowds," Heatley said.
(more)
http://www.tallahassee.com/mld/democrat/news/nation/6942092.htm
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