Aug. 26, 2007
Left Behind
Scott Pelley On The Plight Of Iraqis Who Helped The U.S.
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(CBS/AP)
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Interactive Battle For Iraq The government, the insurgency, key players, background and photos.
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When U.S. troops invaded Iraq, they had a major handicap - they didn’t speak the language. There would have been no progress, and likely more American dead, had it not been for Iraqi citizens who volunteered to serve our armed forces as translators.
Many thousands of Iraqis believed in the cause. They signed on as drivers, construction workers and office workers. But now they and their families are being hunted down by insurgents bent on killing them for collaborating. No wonder many are fleeing Iraq, desperate for asylum. But as they appeal to the U.S., many feel they’re being left behind.
As correspondent Scott Pelley reports, they’re finding that America, which was so eager for their help in the beginning, is not so eager to save them now.
"I lost everything. I lost my country, I can not stay there, anymore, and I lost all my friends. I can't see them, I lost my family, and I feel like a prisoner," says a man, who 60 Minutes will identify as "Rami."
Rami used to be a translator for U.S. forces; he’s now in hiding in Syria, and for the interview with Pelley, he insisted on wearing a disguise to protect his family still in Iraq.
Three years ago, Rami worked side-by-side with American soldiers in a guard tower on a U.S. Base. Then, the insurgents figured out he was working for America. "They called my … at my house and say that 'We're going to kill you if you…because of your involvement with Americans,'" Rami recalls.
At first, Rami says he didn't care. "But, then they said that 'We're going to hurt your family.'" Rami says he went to the American soldiers and asked for protection but says that request was turned down. "So, I felt like I was left alone without any protection," he recalls.
Asked what he did at that point, Rami says, "Well, I had to quit. I felt like I was abandoned.
"He has no life. He's hiding all the time," says Private Joe Seemiller, who was Rami's American partner in the guard tower. When they first met, Seemiller says he didn't know whether he could trust Rami, but says that over time, they became "pretty good friends," not just co-workers.
Asked if he thinks of Rami in the same category as an American soldier, Seemiller says, "Absolutely. He gave up his entire life for this country. And now he's stuck. And there's no one to help him. And we owe him whatever service we can provide to make him safe."
What do we owe him?
Says Seemiller, "Bring him here. Bring him home. He can stay at my apartment. I got a spare bed for him."
No one knows the work of the Iraqi allies better than retired Major General Paul Eaton. He was in charge of training the Iraqi army in 2003 and 2004. "I have no doubt that the translators have saved a great number of American lives," he tells Pelley.
And Eaton believes America owes them the same.
"Do you think it is politically impossible to open the doors to immigration to Iraqis because it's an admission that the war has not gone well?" Pelley asks.
"The war is not going well. Everybody knows it. The president of the United States and our Congress need to admit that a population is at risk. At risk because they have thrown their lot in with us," Eaton says.
Produced by Joel Bach and David Gelber
© MMVII, CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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See all 84 CommentsMuslims have been fighting a religious war in the Middle East for over 2,000 years, with no resolution and continuous conflict. I prefer it stay in the Middle East. Yes, it is selfish; but, we do not need to import more separatism.
I believe the US does owe these persons and their family some resolution to their problems, but it is not relocation to the US. Dare I say it, compensation to live in another Muslim nation, until and when the situation in Iraq is resolved (if ever it can be resolved?) would not be out of the question - yes I would be willing to pay the taxes to support such a retirement. I have a great concern for my family, country, friends, and neighbors that we are asking for additional trouble to bring these persons with such a strong religious affiliation into this country. How can these people practice their religion here and not practice acts against our nation''s people and national interests?
I guess Bush and his friends want to create a whole new gang system of former Iraqi traitors and riffraf here in the US. That''s real smart, what an amazing, smart, well run country! What a bunch of genius administrators we have, sure makes me feel secure! Now let''s lower that Fed rate, the rich need to get richer!
Posted by taks4 at 05:28 AM : Aug 27, 2007
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A TRUE believer huh? Sparky we are going to leave that country the only question is if we can manage to get it done with our Dictator on the job. You fascist have never liked the fact that the PEOPLE in this nation make the rules and THEY have decided we are leaving... Now I''d like for you to tell us, if you can muster enough brain power, who would you like to determine what we hear and see in this country. You OBVIOUSLY do not like the FREE Press and attack anyone who doesn''t hold to the Party Line when putting out the news so what would you like to do about it. Should we go ALL the way back to what you clowns wanted when Jefferson first put pen to paper and allow the KING to appoint someone to approve the news? Should we have a Propaganda Minister like your Hero, Hitler? Just how would you do it? Sieg Heil Bush!!
Wishful thinking, Taks, we will sooner or later (hopefully sooner) be out of there, and you will be on the front lines of the "don''t let the Muslims in" faction, agreeing that they not be allowed in. Like I said before, that is what they get for selling their brethren to a known liar.
Actually, we also didn''t declare war on Vietnam, either.
But back to the point, that is what they get for trusting a known liar, and selling out their own people.
Colin and Condoleeza, (Uncle Tom and Aunt Condi) take note, sooner or later it will be your turn.
If you hanen''t read AMERICA ALONE by Mark Steyn you are doing our country a great disservice and failing to see what is happening.
We need the truth, the facts and stop putting off what the Islamists are doing. We are not perfect but we will be distroyed if we don''t act imediately.
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