The Iraqi government is trying to rally Kurdish tribes within areas under its
control through largesse and other benefits.

The move comes amid heightened tension as the government builds up troops
in areas close to the semi-independent Kurdish enclave outside its jurisdiction.

The authorities hope to use the tribesmen as foot soldiers to destablise the
Kurdish- ruled areas following reports that leaders of the main Kurdish parties
have spurned recent calls by President Saddam Hussein for a dialogue.

It is not clear how far the government will succeed in mobilizing Kurds living
in areas under its control particularly in the northern city of Mosul and the
oil-rich center of Kirkuk.

About one million Kurds live outside the Kurdish-controlled enclave many of
them with relatives and families in Kurdish-held areas.

Iraqi government's move also comes at a critical juncture. Many observers
believe the United States is intent to use the Kurdish region as a launch pad
for attacking Saddam's regime.

The measure also follows a crucial visit by a U.S. Department delegation to
the region, which the observers interpret as a gesture of continued U.S.
commitment to the protection of Kurds.

The delegation, led by senior State Department official Ryanb Crocker, met
leaders of the two main parties in the region. The leaders, Massoud Barzani of
the Kurdistan Democratic Party and Jalal Talabani of the Patriotic Union of
Kurdistan, have both expressed satisfaction with the visit.

It is not the first time the authorities try to use Kurds against Kurds.
Pro-government Kurds in Mosul formed the bulk of the so-called ''national
battalions’’, which the authorities deployed to quell rebellion in northern Iraq.

Kurdish sources, speaking on condition of anonymity, say the authorities were
reviving the battalions in the hope of using them in any operations against the
rebels.

The pro-government Kurds have recently lost prestige and credibility in the
eyes of their countrymen. The government hopes to resurrect their influence
once again.

Apart from cash, weapons and other benefits the government is said to be
giving each of the Kurdish tribal chiefs in its areas huge amounts of diesel fuel
almost free of charge to sell on the open market.

One source told Iraq Press that each chief is given on average 6,000 liters of
diesel per day. The amount at current prices is worth up to 700,000 dinars
(about 450 dollars) - a huge sum in Iraq.

The source said certain tribal chiefs were getting up to 20,000 liters a day. The government apparently hopes the chiefs will make enough money to recruit their men for yet another fight with their ethnic brethren in the north.