Should Iraqi Interpreters be given any special treatment for Asylum claims?

[Oneeyedvic]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/6936185.stm

"The Ministry of Defence says the number of Iraqis who have helped British forces, and could qualify for assistance, totals 15,000.

Requests for help from serving or ex-employees were based on their "individual merits", the MoD said.

BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner says interpreters are marked men who "face a horrific death".

He said the interpreters face two levels of danger: that experienced while on patrol, and the consequences of being seen as collaborators.

"Anybody associated with the coalition, government ministries, and so on, they're all seen as traitors by the militias.

"Not just by al-Qaeda in the Sunni areas, but by the Shia militias in the south."

Should we help those who have helped us?

[jake-the-peg]

Well you won't be able to complain that they're all coming over here unable to speak the language will you?

[China Doll]

It would seem the fair thing to do.

[jno]

they'll find less use for their specialist skills here., I suppose. But yes, we should.

Sounds like the last days of the Vietnam war, doesn't it - deciding which locals will be allowed to run away with the invading forces as they flee

[Goodsoulette]

Definitely. I imagine their actions were incredibly brave and to leave them their to die would be wrong.

Although saying that I cant imagine being an Iraqi in this country at the moment could be the most comfortable experience.

[sp1814]

Absolutely without a shadow of a doubt.

I can't imagine the bravery of these men and women. It's an incredibly dangerous part of the world and they stepped up to help.

Definitely.

It's the same as those Gurkhas a couple of months ago - people who've stuck their necks out of this country should be given the red carpet treatment (although the Gurkhas weirdly weren't).

[Booldawg]

Be nice to have some pro-Western Muslims on board.

[Shadow Man]

No way. They have helped us??? Well correct me if I am wrong but haven't we spent billions to try and repair their evil and antiquated country??

Further correct me if we (and the US of A) rid the country of an evil dicatator and restored a modicum of respectability in their flea swamp of a nation??

Compare this to the Gurkhas plight. They are what you call brave warriors. They have laid their lives on the line for the British will little reward. When they complain, they are treated like crap and with dignity let it lie. Why?? Because they are Hindus and not bloody muslims!!!!

In the peasants stay in Iraq, the only danger they face is from the religion they CHOOSE to follow.

Makes me sick to the teeth that some poor British soldier who has lost his legs gets �21,000 and half pension, whilst I can guarantee that any bloody muslim "translator" who comes here will get a free house, free car. clothes, computer, education for his foul children and family and then will probably complain like billy-o for even more handouts.

[sp1814]

Shadow Man

Yeeeaaaahhh...because we went over there to 'liberate the Iraqi people'.

Seems that what we've successfully done is liberated about 650,000 of them from their lives.

Let's get these brave people over here now.

I'd happily pay for their flights**






(**This quite true.)

[stokemaveric]

why cant the new iraqi government provide a safe haven for them in iraq?it wont just stop there will it...then it will be abduls cousin here, mohammeds girlfriend and her kids are in danger so let them come here its a never ending cycle, or even let the usa have them.we have helped enough asylum seekers.enough is enough.............

[sp1814]

stokemaveric

From what I have read, the problem we have is that the US and UK and allied forced didn't actually think out an 'exit strategy' after we 'liberated' Iraq.

Basically, we should now be in a situation where we can hand over the reigns of government to the Iraqi...but this is impossible because there are so many factions fighting each other and the deep seats (and flipping complex) relationship between the Shia and Sunni Muslims make it impossible for...for...

...actually, the way it was explained to me is "Remember the troubles in Northern Ireland in the 70s? Well multiply it by 1,000 and you're somewhere near how complex the politics in the region is".

It's not good and I don't think there's anyone clever enough to work out a long-term peace strategy.

Just my opinion...of course.

[sp1814]

for

'deep seats'

read

'deep seated'

[buildersmate]

These guys are paid a shedload of money for working in dangerous conditions, compared to what they could otherwise earn in Iraq. They know the risks.
And the figure of 15000 will include all manner of civilian staff who provide services through contracts into British Forces. It doesn't all come down the supply chain out of Brize Norton.

[jno]

well, that's like saying we shouldn't worry about soldiers being killed because they knew the risks. Indeed, unlike interpreters, soldiers' work actually involves being shot at.

[anotheoldgit]

It won't be the first time that some of you have said exactly that jno, when it came to our soldiers plight in these hell holes.

These interpreters have most likely been paid much more than our troops, and they knew the risks involved. Even some Iraqis have been paid �200 a day for play acting insurgents for our troops training, could it be we use live ammunition?

Alot of you care more about looking after these muslims than you do our brave troops.

[jno]

perhaps you'd like to post a link to the time I said that, oldgit?

[anotheoldgit]

I did not specifically say you jno. I said some of you, please pay full attention.

[Oneeyedvic]

would you supply a link to anyone then AOG

[NikkiB]

Booldawg - you don't know they are pro-Western muslims. They were paid for their interpreting services, they could simply be pro-cash. Who isn't?

What I find puzzling, is that with a country such as Iraq, with it's currently shambolic infrastructure why it's not better, easier, more desirable to simply shift Hassan B to the other side of Iraq. A kind of witness protection programme for a country that isn't that hot on official records anyway. I also wonder why Hassan B doesn't stay to help shape his country. We can't cram everyone onto the liferaft of Britain.
And whoever of the interpreters is a Muslim, may I suggest one of the numerous Islamic paradises that lay closer to Iraq than the UK?

I think we have to start being ruthless.

[dyli795]

Shadow Man, just shut up and think for a moment. If the our chaps at the sharp end out there think they shuld be given asylum then I think it's good enough for me. Oh for god's sake!