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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| UN welcomes US Iraq refugee plan | UN welcomes US Iraq refugee plan |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The United Nations has welcomed US plans to grant up to 7,000 Iraqi refugees asylum over the next year. | The United Nations has welcomed US plans to grant up to 7,000 Iraqi refugees asylum over the next year. |
| Antonio Guterres, who heads the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), described the plans as "a very good step in the right direction". | Antonio Guterres, who heads the UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), described the plans as "a very good step in the right direction". |
| The number represents only a fraction of the thousands of people given refuge by countries neighbouring Iraq. | The number represents only a fraction of the thousands of people given refuge by countries neighbouring Iraq. |
| The US has pledged $18m (£9.2m) to the UNHCR to help the millions of people who have fled Iraq since the war began. | The US has pledged $18m (£9.2m) to the UNHCR to help the millions of people who have fled Iraq since the war began. |
| The US move has been prompted by criticism over the number of refugees it has taken in so far - some 463 since the 2003 invasion. | The US move has been prompted by criticism over the number of refugees it has taken in so far - some 463 since the 2003 invasion. |
| 'Huge problem' | 'Huge problem' |
| "The dimension of the problem is so huge that nothing is ever enough," said Mr Guterres. | "The dimension of the problem is so huge that nothing is ever enough," said Mr Guterres. |
| "But I think it is a very good start, a very good step in the right direction." | "But I think it is a very good start, a very good step in the right direction." |
| IRAQIS FLEEING THEIR HOMES In Syria: 1,000,000 In Jordan: 750,000In Egypt: 80,000-130,000 (estimate)In Lebanon: 40,000Internally displaced: 1,800,000 Source: UNHCR Iraqi refugees' stories | |
| The UN estimates that some two million Iraqis have fled the country. | |
| About one million are living in Syria and up to 750,000 in neighbouring Jordan, UNHCR says. | |
| Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh said the number proposed by the US paled into insignificance compared with Jordan's intake. | Jordanian government spokesman Nasser Judeh said the number proposed by the US paled into insignificance compared with Jordan's intake. |
| "Seven thousand Iraqi refugees is just 1% of the number we have," he said. | "Seven thousand Iraqi refugees is just 1% of the number we have," he said. |
| UN appeal | UN appeal |
| The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached. | The 7,000 refugees would move to the US from countries they have already reached. |
| US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target", not a ceiling. | US state department spokesman Sean McCormack said the figures was a "target", not a ceiling. |
| The plan would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information. | The plan would also afford special treatment to those in Iraq who were at risk of sectarian attack through providing the US with information. |
| Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey said the increase in the US refugee quota reflected a change in the situation on the ground, following the attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra a year ago. | Assistant Secretary of State Ellen Sauerbrey said the increase in the US refugee quota reflected a change in the situation on the ground, following the attack on a Shia mosque in Samarra a year ago. |
| "It really was not until after the Samarra bombing ... that the sectarian violence began to reach a level that there was significant outward movement," she said. | "It really was not until after the Samarra bombing ... that the sectarian violence began to reach a level that there was significant outward movement," she said. |
| The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme. | The UN has called for $60m (£30.5m) from nations for a global resettlement programme. |
| Are you an Iraqi refugee? Will you be seeking asylum in the US or other countries? | Are you an Iraqi refugee? Will you be seeking asylum in the US or other countries? |
| Send us your comments and experiences by filling in the form below. | Send us your comments and experiences by filling in the form below. |