Goverment Abandons Iraqi Interpreters

[Camel Spider]

The British Goverment has refused to let almost 200 of the Iraqi Interpreters it employed to enter the country and those that have wont get here until 2009 .. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3042949.ece (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/iraq/article3042949.ece) .. Denmark has already accepted their interpreters en masse on recognising the threat these people and their families are under daily. That the Goverment will not recognise the Debt of Honour that we owe people who answered OUR call for help and who are now in danger makes me ashamed to be British.

The Interpreters were and are extremely valuable in Iraq. They undoubtedly saved lives in situations that could have quickly got out of control and they and their families have suffered Militia violence, abuse, intimidation and some have even been killed for it. With the handover of power in Basra particularly the only people they can go to for help is the Police, who are overrun and controlled by the very militia's that will be coming after them. These individuals are educated people with langauge skills that would be useful in Britian today, the very fact that they were willing to work at all shows they are far from lazy. The case of a former Taliban fighter who was granted asylum in Glasgow and is living off the very people he once fought is a travesty, why is he here and these people are not wanted ??, By cutting and running from these Interpreters we leave a dangerous legacy on which we can be judged ..That our word and honour cannot be trusted. We cant leave them behind for the Militia's, we dont leave our troops behind and they should be no different.

An Interpreters experience in his own words .. http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0915/p01s04-woiq.html (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0915/p01s04-woiq.html)

MP's are raising the issue and it is due to be mentioned in the Commons today, if you feel that the goverments actions are wrong then please e mail your local MP. Their E mail can be found here .. www.theyworkforyou.com (http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://forum.caithness.org/go.php?url=http://www.theyworkforyou.com) .. the more support that can be raised from all over the country the better.

Please consider their plight.

Campaign Website .. www.weoweittothem.com (http://www.weoweittothem.com)


I realise there is maybe a bit of "Iraq fatigue" on the forum but I feel this is an important issue. However, if the thread degenerates into an Argument over Iraq in general, Guantanemo, Muslim Teddy Bears or anything else in that vein I will just lock it.

[Shabbychic]

This is an absolute disgrace, to use people then dispose of them when no longer of use.

Have sent off to John Thurso. This cannot be allowed.

[northener]

Thats just the typical attitude the Armed forces have come to expect from a British government.

Use 'em and bin 'em.

Look how the Ghurkas have been treated over the years.

.

[orkneylass]

The things that have been done to some of the interpreters given no protection beggar belief.

[Camel Spider]

The things that have been done to some of the interpreters given no protection beggar belief.

Exactly. And there are the families to consider as well. The Goverment has turned these people down with no right of appeal. The Police in Iraq are completely infiltrated by the Militia's and will be no help, it sickly ironic that the very people they should be turning to for help will most probably be the ones coming for them. People have already died apparently for simply helping us while this morally bankrupt excuse for a Goverment stands by, the first post on this thread is worth a look and confirms the worst has already happened .. http://www.arrse.co.uk/cpgn2/Forums/viewtopic/t=83450/postdays=0/postorder=asc/start=0.html

[Kenn]

This government seems to be blinkered, they find it impossible to help those that are worthy of our respect and to whom we owe a debt no matter what our politics but shrug aside errors that have let thousands work here who are illegally in the country.
They say they take the moral high ground but as far as I can see they are sinking into a morass of their own making and will drag the populous along with them.
On that note I'm off to demand what my MP is doing about the matter.

[Angela]

I don't think I'm suffering from "Iraq fatigue", Camel Spider, but I often do feel I'm becoming immune to the shock I should be feeling at many of the appalling things happening in the world, and indeed in this country....because so many things that ought to be defy belief do just keep happening...:confused

The UK government's treatment of the interpreters is very wrong and very sad. I'm going to ask my MP what he is doing about this shameful situation.

[Kenn]

Just done the same Angela..I make no secret of the fact that our troops should never have been commited to Iraq..but I do accept that the whole world needs a presence in Afghanistan.
What really irritates me is that if Islam is such an all encompasing faith, why can't they ackknowedge that other faiths have the same credence?
What are they frightened of?

[Anne x]

I don't think I'm suffering from "Iraq fatigue", Camel Spider, but I often do feel I'm becoming immune to the shock I should be feeling at many of the appalling things happening in the world, and indeed in this country....because so many things that ought to be defy belief do just keep happening...:confused

The UK government's treatment of the interpreters is very wrong and very sad. I'm going to ask my MP what he is doing about this shameful situation.

Me to joining you both that be Lizz and you

[Camel Spider]

I emailed my local MP and got a response from his office within 24 hours, I was pleasantly sursprised to find my MP had already addressed the issue ..

This is the reply I received ..



Dear Mr XXXXXXXX,

Thank you for your letter regarding the Iraqi interpreters being refused
access to Britain.

We share your deep concerns on this matter. You may be aware of Lynne
Featherstone's campaigning on behalf of the Iraqi interpreters, and I
know Malcolm recently signed her EDM, number 401, which states

"That this House recognises the courage of Iraqis who have worked
alongside British troops and diplomats in southern Iraq, often saving
British lives; notes that many such Iraqis have been targeted for murder
by Iraqi militias in Basra, and that an unknown number have already been
killed, whilst many others are in hiding; further recognises that many
Iraqis who have worked for fewer than 12 months for the UK are
threatened by death squads; and therefore calls upon the Prime Minister
to meet the UK's moral obligations by offering resettlement to all
Iraqis who are threatened with death for the "crime" of helping British
troops and diplomats."

I am currently dealing with your case and you can expect to receive a
response by post shortly.

With kind regards,

XXX

XXXXXX XXXXX
Constituency Caseworker to Rt Hon Malcolm Bruce MP




I have edited the names purely for Persec reasons.

[Camel Spider]

Just done the same Angela..I make no secret of the fact that our troops should never have been commited to Iraq..but I do accept that the whole world needs a presence in Afghanistan.
What really irritates me is that if Islam is such an all encompasing faith, why can't they ackknowedge that other faiths have the same credence?
What are they frightened of?

I agree with you Lizz, I dont beleive we should have invaded Iraq, Afghanistan Yes, Iraq no. But there is nothing we can do about that now as were are beyond a reason to be there .. were there. Leaving these people who have sacrificed and risked their lives to help us is tantamount to pulling the trigger ourselves. It wont just be them as their families will be targetted by these Militia's as well.

The Interpreters are in the vast majority, Muslim. They are seen as traitors because of that, personally I think these are some of the bravest people in Iraq.