Cameron urges afghan interpreters not to seek asylum
Iran Press TV
Thu May 2, 2013 3:27PM GMT
Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron has urged Afghan interpreters not to seek asylum in the UK and to remain in Afghanistan after British forces’ withdrawal from the war-torn country.
Cameron told Radio 4’s World that his cabinet is considering offering “really generous” packages to Afghan interpreters if they stay in the country after NATO pullout in 2014.
“I do think when we think of all that we have spent and all the cost in money and human lives we have put into Afghanistan, we should do everything we can to encourage talented Afghans to stay in their country and contribute to it,” Cameron said.
About 450 interpreters have worked with British forces in Afghanistan since 2001, many of whom now fear retaliation from Taliban militants as foreign forces prepare to withdraw from the Asian country.
Afghan interpreters’ requests for asylum in the UK are now dealt with on a case-by-case basis despite the high risks they encountered working with the British troops in the battlefield against Taliban.
According to the reports, 20 interpreters working with British troops in Afghanistan were killed in action and dozens have been injured. Another five were said to have been killed while off duty.
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