- Sophie: Fake passports and bids for freedom
- Cherie: Is there any chance for us to get any rights for what we did for the British Forces in Iraq?
- Matt: For the first time in my life, I felt that… I am a Traitor
- Fred (Apr 2003): I thank Coalition forces to liberate Iraqi people and to put us agreed conditions after the war
- Jeremy: wish of my life to pay a visit to London to see its noble peoples whom I respect and love too much
- Jane: Fleeing Iraq, the reality
- Patrick: Mid July 2004 and the assassinations started
- Trevor: I am just sitting in my house waiting the militia to come and kill me
- Will: Im living a very horrible life, hiding and doing no job to feed my family
Invitation to British MPs: spend Christmas 2007 in Sunny Southern Iraq
This is an open invitation to serving British MPs to take part in a truly unique experience during the next Parliamentary recess.
I am in a position to offer any serving British MP the opportunity to spend the Christmas Parliamentary recess with an Iraqi Translator and his family in Southern Iraq.
This "once in-a-lifetime" glimpse into life in modern Iraq is the ultimate sabattical. The following itinerary gives just a flavour of what can be expected; but we will strive to work with you to ensure you truly have as bespoke and individual an experience as you could imagine.
Departing the UK 19 December 2007 by air and flying via another European country, you will arrive in the Middle East in time to enjoy the amazing Middle East sunrise.
Please note: ticketing and visa arrangements will be handled for you, with all paperwork arriving at your constituency office at least seven days before travel. You will be travelling on commercial flights in Business Class, with an allowance for meals en-route. Details of innoculations (get injected, don't get infected) required, and a background briefing for Iraq, can be obtained from the FCO website.
You will be collected from your airport of arrival by our dedicated representative, who will then take you by car to your "new" home, and introduce you to your host. Your transfer may involve crossing national borders into Iraq, but all arrangements will be made to ensure that you will pass easily into Iraq. Your arrival will coincide with this year's feast of Eid Al Adha - what better day to commence your stay?
You will stay with a former Iraqi Translator, previously employed by the British Government, and (where possible) his or her family in Southern Iraq. So, language issues and cultural understanding shouldn't be a problem. All of the people you will stay with are currently applying to the UK Government under the "Assistance to locally employed staff" scheme announced by Foreign Secretary 9th October 2007.
All meals will be supplied. Medical cover will be through local health centers and hospitals (several hosts are Doctors of Medicine). You will have shared use of the family car, and maps of the area will be available to you, so that you can explore for yourself.
During your stay, you will have the opportunity to visit historic sites and places of special interest in the region, and travel with your host's family to visit their wider family and places of work.
It won't all be sunshine and sightseeing, though. You will be invited to live everyday as locals do, meeting traders in the market, and seeing for yourself how Iraq is moving forward.
See for yourself "zero-tolerance" in action, and the way in which Southern Iraq has improved since March 2003.
Experience for yourself the daily commute through the suburbs and checkpoints in and around Basrah. Your host will ensure you see oil installations and have a full understanding of local issues and customs.
Security and Communications:
The UK Government is satisfied that your host's family is safe until January 2008, when the UK Home Office deploys its dedicated team to the region to interview your host about his application. You will be invited to join your host at this meeting, and witness for yourself the outcome of the occasion.
You will also have the use of an available mobile phone; and when power and communications allow, access to the Internet.
Your stay will be monitored for your own safety, and regular updates posted to www.WeOweItToThem.com
In the event that your host feels that you could in any way, be in a position of danger, you will move with your host to another house in the region to continue the rest of your stay.
Places are very limited, and this truly is a unique opportunity. If you are an MP who is interested in spending this Christmas in Iraq, please email us with contact details and any questions you may have.