Australian homes for Iraq workers

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7338317.stm

Version 0 of 1.

Australia is to offer a permanent home to hundreds of its Iraqi employees when Canberra pulls its combat forces out of the Gulf later this year.

It follows fears the Iraqis will face retribution for working for Australia.

A special team of immigration officials has been assigned to fast-track their visa applications.

The government says it does not want to repeat the mistakes of the Vietnam War, when Australia left behind almost all local staff during a hasty withdrawal.

On a recent visit to Iraq, senior Australian government ministers were urged by troops not to abandon local staff when Canberra withdraws.

Defence Minister Joel Fitzgibbon has acknowledged the dangerous work many Iraqis have undertaken to help Australian forces in the south of the country.

"Anti-coalition forces have deliberately targeted individuals working with Australian troops and their partners in southern Iraq," he said in a statement.

All locally-hired employees and their families will be eligible.

"We expect up to 600 Iraqis will be involved in the process," he said.

"Interpreters and translators there have played a very significant role in assisting us in terms of strategy and of course, protection. And we do feel that we have a moral obligation to them, to resettle them here in Australia."

Objections

The Iraqis who decide to accept Australia's offer will subject to strict health and security checks.

Spain and Denmark agreed to resettle employees and their families after their troops pulled out of Iraq in 2004 and 2007.

After Australia pulled out of Saigon during the Vietnam War, hundreds of locals working for both Australian and American forces were thought to have been persecuted or murdered.

Some human rights campaigners have criticised the plan to grant visas to Iraqi translators and other administrative staff.

They have insisted thousands of refugees who have fled the violence in Iraq also deserve to be offered sanctuary by the Australian authorities.