BBC: Interpreters 'abandoned' in Iraq

[marmar]

Interpreters 'abandoned' in Iraq


Iraqi interpreters who have risked their lives to help UK forces will not get asylum, a report has claimed.

Whitehall officials ignored appeals by high-ranking army officers for asylum to be given to 91 interpreters and their families, according to the Times.

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

The MoD says it considers requests for help from serving or ex-employees on their "individual merits".

'Cold shoulder'

However, the Times reported that one appeal for asylum was rejected even though it was accompanied by a glowing recommendation from a British commanding officer.

The letter reached former Downing Street foreign policy adviser Nick Banner, who told the Iraqi to apply via the government website and to another country.

Frank Gardner said: "It seems from what the Times are saying that they're getting the cold shoulder.

"That the government is essentially saying: 'Sorry, we can't make exceptions for these people, despite the enormous sacrifices they have made.' ......(more)

The complete piece is at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/6935517.stm

[groovedaddy]

1. They're pawns

completely expendable in this chess game.

[izzie]

2. Funny I am not shocked about this. Poor people

We just seem to be falling down on all those things we used to think make us Am. I guess we as a country have just got lost in our own 'greatness'. We seem to be at a point when we feel we can do just as want any place in the world. Pretty soon every who is an Am. will be living in the Green Zone as we hire a private army to save us from the people who own their country. My God will we ever live down Bush?