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US-Funded Employment Programs Criticized by Iraqi Activists

The United States seeks to combat perceptions from some Iraqi activists that its training and employment programs have been ineffective, writes Omar al-Shaher.
U.S. Ambassador to Iraq Robert Stephen Beecroft speaks in between cutouts of U.S. President Barack Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney (R) during a news conference in Baghdad, after the announcement of Obama's victory in the U.S. presidential election November 7, 2012.  REUTERS/Khalid Mohammed/Pool   (IRAQ - Tags: POLITICS ELECTIONS USA PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION) - RTR3A3ZX
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Civil activists in the Sunni-dominated Anbar province believe that the US-funded livelihood-skills training programs were either overly selective or riddled with corruption.

In this regard, the US Embassy in Baghdad announced that on on Feb. 16 it hosted the “Victories from Iraq” bazaar, featuring the works of Iraqi artists who have benefited from US-funded programs addressing unemployment and developing small businesses.

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