IRAQ: Lost in translation

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For months, U.S. military officials have sung the praises of the Concerned Local Citizens, Iraqis who have allied themselves with American forces and who guard checkpoints across the country for a mere $10 a day. But lately, the military has begun referring to CLCs as SOIs, short for Sons of Iraq.

No explanation was given for the switch, which began creeping into press releases from the military a few days ago. One public affairs officer south of Baghdad said the change came about after Iraqis pointed out that the Arabic word for ‘concerned’ was more often used to mean ‘anxious’ or ‘worried.’

‘Worried Local Citizens’ apparently does not send the message the Americans had intended when they first chose a name for the thousands of Iraqis who have opted to turn their backs on insurgents and risk life and limb to protect their towns. Attacks on them have doubled since October, and unlike Iraqi police or soldiers, they are not eligible for government pensions or other benefits if killed in the line of duty.

Journalists also have struggled to find the right terminology for members of the grass-roots security movement. ‘Security volunteers’ is not quite accurate, because even though CLCs — er, SOIs — are not officially on the government payroll, they get a small amount of money for their services.

Efforts to get an explanation from the military for the change from CLC to SOI proved futile. An emailed response to the question of why the switch was made said only that the new name ‘adds clarity to their mission.’ One potential glitch with the new name: Sons of Iraq are not all sons. They include some Iraqi women.

— Tina Susman in Baghdad