Those who fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Famous words – but no one in power ever seems to learn. Aside from any justifications or right/wrong arguments/predjudices, the fact remains that the NATO Coalition is just the latest (and likely not the last) occupying force to tackle Afghanistan and leave in ignominy. At the ‘end’ of Australia’s other recent war, there was a protracted soldier, veteran, public and media outcry to issue visas to interpreters who worked with Australian troops in theatre.
48
After much debate and pushback, the government of the day gave in and resettled thousands of Iraqis in Australia. Defence Minister of the day Joel Fitzgibbon conceded Australia had a moral obligation to help the Iraqis. “Interpreters and translators played a very significant role in assisting us, and we do feel we have a moral obligation to them,” Minister Fitzgibbon said. “We don’t want to see the mistakes that were made in the past and we’re determined that they’ll be taken care of.”
CONTACT Air Land & Sea – Issue 71 – September 2021
