The move was made in advance of the imminent withdrawal of 470 Danish troops stationed in Iraq

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/Iraq/Story/0,,2132439,00.html

US ambassador says Iraqi aides will quit unless granted asylum


Ed Pilkington in New York
Monday July 23, 2007
The Guardian


The United States ambassador in Iraq, Ryan Cocker, has called for all Iraqis working for the US government to be granted refugee status in recognition of the dangers they face.

Mr Cocker warned in a cable obtained by the Washington Post that unless Iraqi employees were given hope of finding safe haven in America they would quit, weakening the ability of the Bush administration to make an impact in Iraq. snip

In the wake of heavy criticism, the Bush administration expanded its Iraqi refugee programme, promising to admit 7,000 by October. However, it has processed just 133 since last October.

The United Nations estimates that up to 20,000 Iraqis will never be able to return to Iraq. Other countries have accepted many more Iraqi refugees. Sweden has taken in more than any other nation, despite the fact that it is not part of the coalition.

Last week it emerged that Denmark had secretly airlifted out about 200 Iraqi interpreters and their families. The move was made in advance of the imminent withdrawal of 470 Danish troops stationed in Iraq.

[TwilightGardener]

1. What a clusterfuck.

[terisan]

2. Iraqi employees don't seem confident of American occupation victory. nt

[Selatius]

3. Looking a little familiar, anyone?