Afghan interpreters working for the NZDF

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DarthKermit

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#111189 26-Oct-2012 19:16

Of course they want out (of Afghanastan) now. But were they collectively all that naïve to not think that the Taliban wouldn't take too kindly to their working for a Western army?

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#707126 26-Oct-2012 19:32

DarthKermit: Of course they want out (of Afghanastan) now. But were they collectively all that naïve to not think that the Taliban wouldn't take too kindly to their working for a Western army?

After reading this comment I feel like I have walked in mid-conversation.

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marmel

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#707129 26-Oct-2012 19:42

I'd rather have these guys here than others who flush their passports down the toilet on the way here.

freitasm

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#707143 26-Oct-2012 19:53

In a few months this topic will be so out of context people won't know what the OP was talking about.

Background information is always good...

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DarthKermit

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#707146 26-Oct-2012 19:59

Ok, some background info:
Our defence force hired locals in Afghanistan to work as interpreters. Many of these interpreters now want refuge in NZ because their lives have been threatened by the Taliban for helping the Westerners.

I don't have a problem with them coming here per se, but I do wonder did they not see this potential threat to start with?

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riahon

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#707152 26-Oct-2012 20:05

I think they took a gamble and saw the potential opportunity. Could this be part of the Telibans master plan to infiltrate western country?

gzt

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#707158 26-Oct-2012 20:23

DarthKermit: Of course they want out (of Afghanastan) now. But were they collectively all that naïve to not think that the Taliban wouldn't take too kindly to their working for a Western army?

A good proportion of the western world was collectively naïve enough to believe foreign armies would bring stability to everywhere in Afghanistan. On that basis I don't think the interpreters were more naïve than anyone else.

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#707217 26-Oct-2012 22:11

+1!!

grant_k

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#707224 26-Oct-2012 22:36

gzt:
DarthKermit: Of course they want out (of Afghanastan) now. But were they collectively all that naïve to not think that the Taliban wouldn't take too kindly to their working for a Western army?

A good proportion of the western world was collectively naïve enough to believe foreign armies would bring stability to everywhere in Afghanistan. On that basis I don't think the interpreters were more naïve than anyone else.

Well said!

IMO it's good that the NZ Govt. have done the decent thing by these people who have put their lives at considerable risk to help our soldiers. Maybe these interpreters did see an opportunity, or maybe they were optimistic people who saw a better future for their country if the Taliban took a beating. Whether any permanent improvement in the lives of ordinary Afghans has resulted from the actions of foreign troops is debatable, but our soldiers gave it their best shot, and now it's time for them to come home. Offering political asylum to the interpreters who helped them is the right and proper thing to do.

Regarding the risks of such refugees infiltrating our country, they pose no more risk than any other refugee or immigrant from a foreign country, who could be part of a terrorist "sleeper cell" etc. What exactly is here for them to spy on anyway? We are more at risk from Bio-security hazards like Foot & Mouth disease.