Iraqi settling program in Britain studied

LONDON, Sept. 11 (UPI) -- Lawyers have failed in easing the way for Iraqis who risk all to help the British military in Iraq and want to relocate in Britain, former interpreters say.

The British government says it will study the situation and perils that could befall Iraqi families and individuals, but indicate no change immediate in the guidelines, the Times of London reported Thursday.

About 33 Iraqis and their families have been resettled in Britain so far his year, arriving on military planes directly from Iraq or being admitted through a refugee program from Jordan.

The government assistance program began last year after a Times campaign on behalf of Iraqis who were killed and intimidated after helping the British as interpreters and in other tasks.

Several former Iraqi interpreters say the resettlement program is flawed because it applies only to those who worked for the British Government for a minimum of 12 consecutive months from the start of January 2005.

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