upcoming

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?

From an article by Charles Pope of The Oregonian, details of Sens. Edward Kennedy D-Mass., and Gordon Smith R-Ore, calling for accelerating the process for giving Iraqi refugees asylum in the United States.

To read the full article, follow this link: http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/index.ssf?/base/news/1190161...

WASHINGTON DC -- Congress, spurred by stories of gruesome retaliation and squalid living conditions, is moving to liberalize and accelerate the process for giving Iraqi refugees asylum in the United States.

The latest step came Tuesday when Sens. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., and Gordon Smith, R-Ore., offered legislation that would streamline the system for processing requests and create a special visa for Iraqis who have "worked for or directly with" the United States in Iraq.

Hundreds of Iraqis have worked as translators and staff for the U.S. military and diplomatic corps. Some human rights organizations and lawmakers say insurgents have targeted those Iraqis and their families for death, forcing many to flee to Syria and Jordan, where life is equally perilous.

More than 4 million Iraqis have been displaced and the number is growing by 60,000 a month, U.S. officials estimate. Yet the United States has allowed fewer than 1,000 of the 7,000 refugees who were approved for resettlement.

From ABC comes this article by Rafeal Epstein. Under the title "UK soldiers call for visas to Iraqi translators" - Epstein investigates the calls on the UK Government to act in a responsible way.

To see the full article, please follow this link: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2007/08/09/2000661.htm?section=world

British Army officers have asked the UK Government to give refugee visas to Iraqis who have worked with them.

But interpreters who have worked closely with British forces have been told to use the same channels as any other asylum seeker and join the queue.

Army officers want Gordon Brown's new Government to do much more. The British tabloids have clearly taken the side of the servicemen, writing, "We cannot pretend to be civilised liberators and then condemn to death those who risk so much to help our cause."

The "condemned" are 91 Iraqi translators who have worked with the British Army and have been told they will not get any special treatment when they apply for refugee visas, despite the fact they have been specifically targeted by militia because they worked with the UK.

Louis Altaher fled to Syria and was given the brush-off at the British Consulate in Damascus.

"I put my whole life in danger, I didn't imagine it was going to be like this, and I didn't imagine the British Government is going to abandon me like this," he said. "I cannot go home because I'll be dead."

Denmark has already made a decision on this matter.

We are holding a briefing on 9th October 2007 in London, to update British Members of Parliament (MPs) and invited guests, on the current situation regarding Iraqi translators and locally employed contractors (LEC's) who are at risk. Please ensure that your elected representative is aware of this date, and ask him/her to attend the briefing.

The meeting will take place in Parliament in Committee Room 14 (St Stephen’s Entrance) from 7-9pm on Tuesday 9th October 2007.

To contact your MP, visit www.TheyWorkForYou.com.

We have already made sure invitations have been sent to every British MP, but knowing they are representing interested constituents gives them the best reason to attend.