Fallujans invited to return
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- More than a month after U.S.-led forces conducted a major offensive in Falluja, some residents who fled the city are being allowed to return to their homes, Iraq's interim government said Monday.
Beginning Thursday, residents of the Andalus District may return, the government said in a written statement.
A leaflet distributed to Fallujans staying elsewhere in Iraq -- some of them in makeshift refugee camps -- said residents of other districts will be allowed to follow later, "over a period of two or three weeks."
But the government statement said the pace of returns "will be adjusted according to the supply of basic services and supplies, and security requirements."
Before heavy fighting between insurgents and U.S. forces picked up months ago in Falluja, U.S. and Iraqi officials estimated the city's population at between 250,000 and 300,000.
By the time the United States began its three-week operation in November -- aimed at routing out insurgents at their home bases -- officials said less than 5 percent of Fallujans remained in the city.
In the fighting that ensued, U.S. officials said about 1,200 insurgents were killed, as were 51 U.S. troops and eight Iraqi troops. It was unclear how many civilians were killed or wounded.
U.S. officials have said in recent days they would soon approve the return of residents to Falluja.
The leaflet to Fallujans promised "all necessary requirements for families will be available" including "food, water, blankets, kerosene heaters and health care. There will also be plastic sheeting available to help families make their homes habitable.
Families will be able to collect food rations from food distribution warehouses in the city. Water will be available from water tanks placed around the city and from water tankers."
Water mains will not be available, nor will electricity.
Each family will be eligible for 150,000 Iraqi dinars -- equivalent to about $100. Some poor families in Iraq get by on about that much money a month.
Families can receive this money from banks; they do not have to return to Falluja to receive it.
The government is also compensating families for damage to their homes and possessions.
The leaflet, giving these figures in U.S. dollars, said "amounts paid will range from $2,000 for slight damage or damage to possessions to $10,000 for severe damage." The assessments will be carried out within weeks of their return, the leaflet said.
Families whose homes were destroyed will either be compensated or "allocated a new home in two new housing estates which the government is planning to build in Falluja," the leaflet said.
On their way into town, families will be screened. "Each family should have the Food Ration Card, Civil Affairs Identity Card or any other document to prove their identity and area of residence in Falluja," the leaflet said.
Vehicles will be searched, and no privately owned weapons will be allowed in.
Many city residents are worried that Falluja may still be unsafe, and that heavy fighting between insurgents and U.S. or Iraqi forces could break out again.
Iraq's interim government sought to assuage those concerns.
"The time has come for residents to return to their city of Falluja" Dr. Hachem al-Hassani, the Minister for Industry and Minerals, said in the statement. He is leading Falluja rebuilding efforts.
He said U.S.-led Multi-National Forces and the interim government "have done a great job in preparing the city for people to return. Explosives have been removed, standing water and sewage has been cleared and repairs have started on essential services."
Security will be provided by Iraqi police and the Iraqi National Guard, as well as the U.S.-led forces, the statement said.
"The government is determined that terrorist elements do not once again hijack Falluja and its residents."
