This entry was posted on
Friday, June 13th, 2008 at
3:03 pm and is filed
under It’s War! It’s Legal! It’s Lovely!.

The Times – Britain shamed as Iraqi interpreters are resettled in squalid tower blocks: The first Iraqi interpreters to be offered refuge in Britain are living in fear in squalid tower blocks in Glasgow, The Times has learnt. They complained of living among drunks and drug addicts, being abused and spat at, and of feeling isolated and unable to work. One girl of 9 had had her hijab torn off by one of her new neighbours. Abdul, 71, one of three Iraqis who risked their lives working for British troops in Basra and were resettled in April with 15 dependents, advised others in a similar position to stay in Iraq. The Government decided to offer sanctuary to some of the hundreds of Iraqis who have helped British Forces after their plight was highlighted by The Times. In Iraq they are regarded by extremists as traitors and many have been targeted by death squads. (via)

But if they move back to Iraq (or stay in Iraq on the advice of others) then it will be their choice, won’t it?

There’s something going on here that’s much cleverer than simple economic prudence, you mark my words. To call Gordon Brown a tightfisted git over this is to give him the benefit of the doubt.

And this article doesn’t give any details, but my gut’s telling me that these people are looked down upon and/or seen as terrorists by the type of people that tabloids knowingly exploit with their shameless fear mongering. I’m happy to be proved wrong, but until then I’ll be assuming that the average interpreter’s first taste of British cuisine is bitter irony.