Iraqi Translators: Visas Or Death?

Interpreters Working For The U.S. Face Are Hunted At Home, But Face Long Odds Of Getting Scarce Visas

(CBS)  Iraqi interpreters have to keep their faces hidden to survive working so closely with U.S. troops. They are the eyes and ears of American soldiers, but as CBS News chief foreign correspondent Lara Logan reports, for that, they are hunted down and murdered.

There are close to 10,000 translators in Iraq alone — but until now, only 50 special visas to the U.S. have been available each year for both Iraq and Afghanistan.

For interpreters, like "Timmy," whose real name CBS News can't reveal, that lack of special visas is almost a death sentence.

"When we sign the contract, we say, 'Sign the contract for death, for executing,'" Timmy says.

Sgt. Jason Krieger and Timmy are like brothers after nearly a year in combat together.

"He's pulled soldiers out of trucks after the trucks have been hit with an IED. He's protected me while I was rendering first aid to a soldier," Krieger says.

Krieger says he has trusted him with his life multiple times.

Both men believe Timmy will die if he stays in Iraq. But he needs a U.S. general's signature to apply for that special visa. The problem is that he doesn't work with any generals.

Another interpreter who uses the name "Moon," told CBS News she's living on borrowed time. Last year, murderers sent to kill her mistakenly killed another woman on her street.

"When I see strange numbers, I don't answer the phone," Moon says.

"So you have to hide?" Logan asks?

"Yeah, like a rat."

Moon was one of the first to apply for a special visa. She was helped by her colleague, Army Reserve Sgt. Steve Valley. She got initial approval last September but had to wait five months for the State Department to process the application.

"I can't say it enough — it's life and death," Valley says.

Now Moon has to make the costly and dangerous journey to the U.S. Embassy in neighboring Jordan to be interviewed, but there's no guarantee she will get a visa.

"I've seen what these people have gone through, and they deserve better," Valley says.

What these interpreters hoped for when they signed up was a better future inside Iraq. Now their only hope lies outside the land they never wanted to leave.

[lars008-2009]

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

[lars008-2009]

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

[lars008-2009]

here's your enemy skippy..... try to remember that..... there will be a test later....
UK TV AIRS SHOCK 'UNDERCOVER' LOOK INTO MAINSTREAM BRIT MOSQUES...
Dispatches: Undercover Mosque
This is part one of the much-anticipated UK Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Undercover Mosque, exposing evidence of Islamic supremacism, shocking misogyny, and support for violence at a number of Britain%u2019s leading mosques and Muslim institutions. (Thanks again to LGF operative kasper.)
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only

Dispatches - Undercover Mosque (1 to 6)
UK Channel 4, aired 15th January 2007.
Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dispatches+- Undercover Mosque
http://youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MuCLC8kjWCI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x5t5EqWX92k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yMztM0Z7BYE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V4Zv3BUmwqs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KvjvNScmTQA

[lars008-2009]

'Obsession'
Documentary gives insight into radical Islam%u2019s global threat
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110506/110506_fnl_obsession&%27Obsession%27&FNL&Documentary%20gives%20insight%20into%20radical%20Islam%92s%20global%20threat&Foxlife&-1&%27Obsession%27&Video%20Launch%20Page&News
http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/12min.htm
http://myspace.com/waragainstthewest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BL4-mxE87w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpcpEQtgp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUqXSeCDJc

[lars008-2009]

this is the real threat to humanity.....
http://stopislam.cjb.net/


Terrorism Awareness Project to wake up Americans and the World
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/
http://www.terrorismawareness.org/islamic-mein-kampf

[sharncedar]

"I too beleive there will be an Armageddon "

People's beliefs shape their actions, and force conclusions. How 'bout you try believing that God is good and loving for a while, instead of a bloodthirsty fiend, and see if that doesn't change the outcomes you force on your life and on others.

[sharncedar]

"What exactly would happen if we pulled out of Iraq right now?"

We can guess based on what people have said, and what's happening now. The civil war between Shiites and Sunnis would come into the open, as the Sunnis still believe the country belongs to them. Rather like white people still believe California belongs to them, though they are now in the physical minority at 35%.

The Saudis have promised to back the Sunnis in their quest to regain Iraq. The Sunnis would have a little success in the South, but the Kurds would stop them in the north, as they are an organized and violent rebel group that has proven quite tough. turkey would send a "stabilization force" into northern Iraq to keep the Kurds down. The civil war would stabilize at some logical point, fighting slow down, some ethnic cleansing, de-facto independent ethnic regions supported by other powers, not unlike Israel and Palestine which still do not have official borders, or actually the UN borders are about 1/2 the size of current seized Israeli occupation. Tense standoff.

so what's your point, is that Armeggedon? Of course not. how is the US presene making it any better. that's life, grow up and deal with it. Stop living in Bush's fantasy world, you aren't magic or super-powerful, life goes on and American Christians are irrelevant in the Middle East, as with the earlier crusades.

[linfinster]

LARS088

I just watched 3 of the 6 YOUTUBE postings. Very scarey. I too beleive there will be an Armageddon and I can just see how the placements of all these Islamic extremists could really do some serious damage when "Allah" (ie Satan) gives the word to fight. It is going to be a bloody bath!
So very evil.
But what do I know, I'm just a woman. Too emotional to actually have an itelligent thought! What idiots!

[lars008-2009]

Linfinster

exactly.....

hahahahahahahahahaha

Malaysia 'apartheid' row deepens
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/4795808.stm

Musing With Marina Mahathir
http://musingwithmarinamahathir.blogspot.com/

[linfinster]

LARS088

I just watched 2 of the 6 YOUTUBE postings. Very scarey. I too beleive there will be an Armageddon and I can just see how the placements of all these Islamic extremists could really do some serious damage when "Allah" (ie Satan) gives the word to fight. It is going to be a bloody bath!
So very evil.
But what do I know, I'm just a woman. Too emotional to actually have an itelligent thought! What idiots!

[linfinster]

What exactly would happen if we pulled out of Iraq right now? I can't imaging that the people would form a just and fair government. It doesn't have to be like our democracy, but there needs to be tolerance or others beliefs, and respect for other humans, but that wont happen. One tribe will dominate and try and kill off the other. I just can't beleive that we necesarily have that answer either, but it at least includes treating everybody as fellow humans. We have a huge and pricey mess on our hands.

lars008 aka singingrick:

Isn't it a bit hypocritical of you to post your hate messages about Muslims in an article based on Iraqis who may very well be Muslims, who are doing their utmost to help the US?

You really are pathetic.

lars008 aka singingrick wrote:

"USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing."

That's very good lars (aka singingrick).

One question though - why is it that you won't do your bit for your country and countrymen?

I mean, you support the war and constantly post hate messages on here about "haji's" so why is it that you won't put your money where you mouth is and join up?

Why is it that you let others do your fighting?

Is it because you're a dirty stinking coward?

Yeah, I suspected as much.

[bluestardad]

America needs to know who is being held accountable for several of the out right theft and blunders in Iraq being perpetrated under the shade of the Fog of War. These thefts include but are not limited to; the Slant drilling being done by Saudi Arabia and Kuwait in Iraqi Oil reserves, the theft of OIL during production and sale by not having meters on the line to account for the oil that is processed thru the line, the remaining billions of dollars that have no audit trail from the 363 tons of money, indigenous Iraqi money found in Iraq, and the 4 billion American tax dollars that was sent to Iraq? I know that President Bush gave Paul Bremer a medal for his handling of Iraq and Promoted General Casey but should not someone be disciplined or jailed for this mismanagement?

[lars008-2009]

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!
"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

[lars008-2009]

Franklin D. Roosevelt's Infamy Speech
December 8, 1941/September 12, 2001
The facts of yesterday speak for themselves. The people of the United States have already formed their opinions and well understand the implications to the very life and safety of our nation.

As Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy, I have directed that all measures be taken for our defense.

Always will we remember the character of the onslaught against us. No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion, the American people in their righteous might will win through to absolute victory.

I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.

Hostilities exist. There is no blinking at the fact that our people, our territory and our interests are in grave danger.

With confidence in our armed forces - with the unbounded determination of our people - we will gain the inevitable triumph - so help us God.

[lars008-2009]

Video: Imam prays to stop %u2018oppression and occupation%u2019 at DNC meeting Update: Imam ID%u2019d Update: More info on Imam
http://hotair.com/archives/2007/02/02/video-imam-prays-to-stop-oppression-and-occupation-at-dnc-meeting/

brigitte gabriel because they hate
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=brigitte+gabriel because they hate&sp=1&fr2=sp-top&toggle=1&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&ei=UTF-8&SpellState=n-200048888_q-Q4tCvDE05ZjvWEZEBwwJjwAAAA%40%40

dnc winter meeting muslim prayer
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0oGkk8TNslFc3sACvVXNyoA?p=dnc winter meeting muslim prayer&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt

[lars008-2009]

here's your enemy skippy..... try to remember that..... there will be a test later....
UK TV AIRS SHOCK 'UNDERCOVER' LOOK INTO MAINSTREAM BRIT MOSQUES...
Dispatches: Undercover Mosque
This is part one of the much-anticipated UK Channel 4 documentary Dispatches: Undercover Mosque, exposing evidence of Islamic supremacism, shocking misogyny, and support for violence at a number of Britain%u2019s leading mosques and Muslim institutions. (Thanks again to LGF operative kasper.)
http://littlegreenfootballs.com/weblog/?entry=24018_Dispatches-_Undercover_Mosque&only

Dispatches - Undercover Mosque (1 to 6)
UK Channel 4, aired 15th January 2007.
Radicalisation of UK mosques by Saudi Wahabbism
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Dispatches+- Undercover Mosque
http://youtube.com/watch?v=peFQWuk4nuo
http://youtube.com/watch?v=MuCLC8kjWCI
http://youtube.com/watch?v=x5t5EqWX92k
http://youtube.com/watch?v=yMztM0Z7BYE
http://youtube.com/watch?v=V4Zv3BUmwqs
http://youtube.com/watch?v=KvjvNScmTQA

[lars008-2009]

'Obsession'
Documentary gives insight into radical Islam%u2019s global threat
http://www.foxnews.com/video2/launchPage.html?110506/110506_fnl_obsession&%27Obsession%27&FNL&Documentary%20gives%20insight%20into%20radical%20Islam%92s%20global%20threat&Foxlife&-1&%27Obsession%27&Video%20Launch%20Page&News

http://www.obsessionthemovie.com/12min.htm
http://myspace.com/waragainstthewest
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BL4-mxE87w
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUpcpEQtgp4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7BUqXSeCDJc