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Small Rewards program to aid in
capturing terrorists
BAGHDAD, Iraq - The Multi-National Security Transition
Command-Iraq is using the "Small Rewards" program to collect
information or non-lethal assistance that results in the capture of a
person, weapon or documents on a wanted list. The effort, officials
hope, will identify and capture terrorist weapons and explosive-making
materials.
Rewards are given to foreign nationals and Iraqi citizens, including
members of the Iraqi army and police, who provide qualifying
information. The Small Rewards program is designed, over time, to
reduce the capabilities and threats associated with terrorist
activities. All informants are kept strictly confidential.
The program is operated through a Small Rewards Review Board chaired
by MNSTC-I Chief of Staff Col. James F. Laufenburg and managed by U.S.
Army Col. Michelle Altieri, an MNSTC-I staff judge advocate. The Small
Rewards Review Board studies each nomination packet and makes
recommendations on whether the packet qualifies for a reward. If the
information or non-lethal assistance meets the criteria, the Board
makes recommendations for the final reward amount.
"The guidelines are quite clear, this is not a weapons buy-back
project, but rather is designed to lead us to substantive weapons
caches. Rewards under the program are not given for any information
gathered by methods contrary to DoD policy," Altieri said.
There is no established reward amount, as each nomination packet that
is submitted is considered separately based upon its overall strategic
value and impact.
The Board's chairman, also the approval officer, can authorize an
award of up to $2,500. Once rewards are approved, the reward monies
are normally received by the informant within 48 hours.
Information leading to the capture of more expensive munitions or
wanted terrorists can net up to $50,000. Rewards from $50,000 to the
top award of $200,000 must be approved by the Defense Department.
Larger rewards require additional approval and take 45 days for
payment. Informants may choose cash or an in-kind benefit as a reward
under the Small Rewards program.
Iraqi security forces remain eligible for the rewards through April
2005 as long as the information received was not a direct result of
their normal duties.
For more information please visit
www.mnstci.iraq.centcom.mil.
Release #A050204r |
