  By JAMIE TARABAY, Associated Press Writer BAGHDAD, Iraq - Interim Iraqi Prime Minister Ayad Allawi on Saturday signed a long-awaited amnesty law that would pardon Iraqis who had minor roles in the anti-U.S. insurgency but not those guilty of killing. The amnesty had been expected to be a key element in the government's efforts to end the 15-month-old campaign of violence but had been the object of controversy since it was first proposed soon after the government took office June 28. Early drafts reportedly would have forgiven most people involved in the insurgency in an effort to coax Iraqi nationalist guerrillas to the government's side, while separating them from fighters using terrorist-style bombings.
But the law was apparently changed to exclude anyone who had killed. It was unclear how effective the limited amnesty would be. "This law is directed toward individuals who have committed minor crimes and have not yet been apprehended or prosecuted," Allawi said at a news conference. Those eligible for the amnesty include people in possession of light arms and explosives, those who hid intelligence about terrorist groups and people who helped those groups commit crimes, Allawi said.
-- On one hand I think that this a great idea to get these guys on our side...but another part of me says that this won't work because the terrorists do not trust Allawi. This is an important jesture towards democracy. We will see how effective this will be in a few weeks when people start to give themselves in. Andrew B. 
