U.S. General: Many Insurgents in Iraq Paid

"WASHINGTON (AP) - Many insurgents conducting attacks in Iraq are primarily motivated by money instead of ideology, and can receive $150 for setting a bomb and more for other types of assaults, a top U.S. general asserted Tuesday.

Lt. Gen. John R. Vines, commander of the Multinational Corps in Iraq, also said he was not ready to recommend any U.S. troop reductions, but he held out hope they may be possible early next year. Several generals have expressed similar hopes in recent months.

Vines acknowledged the insurgency has become static in size and capability, despite U.S. and Iraqi operations to combat it, frequent reports of mass arrests and the discovery of weapons caches. Daily attacks across Iraq number between 50 and 60, roughly the same level as much of last year."
Guardian