WASHINGTON — With the 2011 withdrawal date for U.S. forces in Iraq drawing closer, experts Thursday warned members of a U.S. security commission that protections are needed for Iraqis who have helped U.S. forces and face threats of assassination by insurgents.
The hearing of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission, came days after an Iraqi man working for U.S. forces was shot by his insurgent son, who had links to al-Qaida in Iraq. Hameed al-Daraji had worked as a contractor and translator for the military.
“There are no serious contingency plans to evacuate the thousands of Iraqis who’ve worked for the U.S. and live alongside our troops,” said Kirk Johnson, executive director of the List Project to Resettle Iraqi allies, reading from a prepared statement.
The experts warned that if the U.S. is not careful as it leaves, it could abandon some of the very Iraqis who made large contributions to the American operation there, leaving them vulnerable to assassination and attacks by insurgent groups. Several implored the Obama administration to learn from history, particularly that of the Vietnam War.
“The United States was woefully unprepared for the collapse of South Vietnam and unfortunately the prevailing attitude bordered on callous disregard,” said Craig Johnstone, president of Refugees International.
The U.S.’s lack of a plan for Iraqi allies and refugees, they said, could set a dangerous precedent for the mission in Afghanistan as well.
“If we allow the thousands of Iraqis who have risked their lives to help us to perish or to spend the coming years in hiding, in peril, in flight, we are fools to think that we can expect support from Afghans,” said Johnson.
Particularly endangered are the Iraqis who participated in the “awakening,” the U.S. military’s campaign to convert Sunni insurgents to help the Iraq government. Johnson said many already have been killed.
“We’ve not been able to provide protection, he said.
Sen. Benjamin Cardin, D-Md.,, and Rep. Alcee Hastings, D-Fla., who head the U.S. Helsinki Commission hosted the hearing out of concern for Iraqi refugees who might be trapped in Iraq because of the protracted refugee application process.“Why does it take so long under the special process?” asked Cardin, pressing the panel to explain the bureaucratic process that allowed Iraqi allies to come to the U.S.
Johnson and Johnstone shook their heads, saying that the question would be better posed to the government officials who handle the cases.