February 4, 2008 | Harry Schute - Erbil, Kurdistan; Iraq

I have no problem with the U.S. military rewarding tribal sheikhs with contracts in thanks for their turning against the insurgency ("Military: 75% of Baghdad areas now secure," News, Jan. 18).

My problem is with a policy that has largely ignored the one group of Iraqis who have been our friends all along. From the beginning of this war, we have been staunchly supported by the leaders and people of Kurdistan. They fought with our soldiers —" I was there —" and have offered their blood to keep our soldiers safe. But they have been taken for granted time and again and received only a fraction of the reconstruction support that should be their share.

Often much of what was intended for expenditure in Iraqi Kurdistan was diverted elsewhere to provide security for projects that would only be later sabotaged. Yet, the benefits of the meager allocations to Iraqi Kurdistan are still being enjoyed today.

Where is the sanity in that? Wouldn't it be better to clearly identify at the beginning how we reward the good and supportive behavior of our friends? The reward could be held up as an example of what is possible instead of rewarding those who chose to blow up our soldiers one month and be on good behavior the next. Also, the treasury that we invest could be more wisely spent on those who appreciate it. Reward those who truly deserve it.