Up To 600 Afghan Interpreters Given The Right To Come To Britain.

[anotheoldgit]

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2328754/Up-600-Afghan-interpreters-risked-lives-help-British-forces-right-live-UK.html

Is it right to allow these 'paid' foreign employees of the UK, the right to reside in this country?

It is said they will receive free travel to the UK and accommodation paid for their first three months.

Who will be paying after those three months expire? I think you have got it in one.

[mikey4444]

Yes of course its right. These people have helped our armed forces in Afghanistan and risked their lives doing it, in order to bring the country kicking and screaming into the 21st century. They face almost certain persecution and death if they stay there. Why can't we show our gratitude ?

[FredPuli43]

Something of a U-turn by the government, but a proper one. You may ask "Where will it all end? Are we to allow every Afghani, who is thought to have helped us in any way, to come here and probably claim benefits?" If you do, well, that's predictable, but it hasn't happened yet.

[LazyGun]

I think it only fair and equitable. They put their lives at risk acting as interpreter and advisor on local issues to the Army - invaluable aid - but their life is at risk in consequence.

What would be your preferred solution, AoG? Pay them off and leave them to fend for themselves once we have withdrawn?

[Peter Pedant]

.

Yes it is
They have risked their lives for the Army

Old Git - Farage needs you as a political analyst

[jomifl]

Why not? we need Afghan interpreters deal with all the Illegal Afghan immigrants fleeing the mess in Afghanistan.

[jake-the-peg]

I think you were in the minority back in February when I raised this issue

http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/News/Question1215832.html

I doubt you'll have gained support since then

[ludwig]

Yes, it's right. I'm sure I saw you arguing in favour of this a few months ago AOG, but that was just one person. Is it just the number you don't like?

[ludwig]

Just seen Jake's link. Ok, maybe not then. My memory was incorrect.

[FredPuli43]

Hang on. The Daily Mail does not appear to have condemned this decision. Have I missed the dog-whistle ? Or are you out on your own, aog, out-Mailing the Mail?

[bazwillrun]

600 plus how many wives and kids ?

and next they start bringing their extended families over here because they're all in danger as well

Before you know it there will be thousands of them

same old same old

[bazwillrun]

Still look on the bright side...at least they can speak English !
they wont need help filling out all the benefit forms etc

[FredPuli43]

Baz, where do you draw the line? Do you object to any foreigner, with or without a family, coming to settle in this country? If not, what is your objection to this group coming ?

[LazyGun]

bazs post just reminds me of that immortal phrase from the film Zulu.

To paraphrase
"Afghans - fousands of em" :)

[jake-the-peg]

Well this is a nightmare story for the Daily Mail isn't it?

I mean on the one hand they love patriotic 'risked their lives in the service of our heroic armed forces' sort of stories

And on the other they love 'hundreds of immigrants invading our green and pleasant land' cornflake spitters.

So a story like his puts them into a bit of a tailspin!

[EcclesCake]

Why assume they'd seek to claim benefits. If they were to take up the offer they might (shock, horror) seek employment, to have good enough English they will be well educated and are likely to be an asset not a drain.

[mikey4444]

Maybe these brave Afghans will work when they come over here, just like the thousands of other immigrants ? Perhaps they will do jobs that our nice white, British not-lazy-at-all, Daily Mail reading, long-term unemployed won't touch with a barge poll ?

[mikey4444]

Well said eccs !

[anotheoldgit]

mikey4444

/// Yes of course its right. These people have helped our armed forces in Afghanistan and risked their lives doing it, in order to bring the country kicking and screaming into the 21st century. ///

Funny the different response one gets, when showing support for our soldiers, it is then we hear "no one forced therm to enlist", "they get paid , don't they"? etc, etc.

/// They face almost certain persecution and death if they stay there. Why can't we show our gratitude? ///

So I will say similar, "they knew the risks involved when they took the job" and were also paid handsomely for doing so

[carolegif]

When the Iraqi interpreters were asked whether they wanted to go to Jordan or Scotland (Glasgow), they all said Scotland because if they had gone to Jordan, their Iraqi accents would give them away. Here, very few people would ,know. Most interpreters are highly qualified people, so should be able to find employment after they have settled.

[LazyGun]

AoG - Really. Thats your response. They were paid handsomely, they knew the risks? Thats it?

Big difference between a serviceman joining up to serve in his own countries armed forces. They get to go home after a tour of duty.

An interpreter does not have that luxury. They may well have been paid for their services (although handsomely? how do you know that?)

From the article
"Twenty interpreters have died since 2001 - five were abducted and murdered by insurgents. The US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand have all granted Afghan interpreters the right to asylum.

You claim pride in your country but you would begrudge the same recognition and recompense that other countries are only to happy to offer? Very strange attitude.

Maybe next time before we go into a foreign invasion or a police action, we should take these sort of incidental costs into account...