By NNN-SANA
London : The British government is preparing to airlift up to 2,000 Iraqis out of their country to begin a new life in Britain, the first time that Iraqis will arrive here with their status as refugees assured, it was reported here.
Those hand-picked to come to Britain include translators and other staff who have supported British forces in Iraq, The Guardian newspaper said Tuesday.
The plan follows controversy last year about the British government refusing many interpreters sanctuary in Britain despite the fact their work could put their lives in danger.
Documents seen by The Guardian show the Home Office and Ministry of Defence (MoD) are working with “Migrant Helpline,” a charity which provides advice and support for refugees and asylum seekers, to help the Iraqis to settle.
The scheme is due to run over a seven-month period beginning in April, with fortnightly flights of up to 100 people, the paper said.
“The Iraqis will be accommodated for two days in Slough, southern England, prior to being transported to resettlement areas in the north of the country or in Scotland,” the documents state.
The so-called direct access scheme was announced by the government last year and is open to those who have worked in a variety of jobs for British forces and have been made redundant.
British Foreign Secretary David Miliband said last October that Iraqis working for the British government with at least 12 months of continuous service could apply for a one-off package of financial help “to meet the costs of relocation for themselves and their dependants in Iraq or the region,” or they would be able to apply for “exceptional leave to enter the UK.”
The British Foreign Office said about 450 applications had been accepted and 450 rejected, 100 were still undecided, and another 100 were being processed. The total figure of 2,000 includes dependants.
An MoD spokesman said, “We owe people a debt of gratitude for the commitment they have shown to their country and the risks they have taken.”