U.S. Grants Asylum to Iraqi Who Aided POW Rescue

Reuters ^ | 4-29-03 | Reuters Stringer

[Pharmboy]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - An Iraqi lawyer who helped the U.S. military find and rescue Army Pfc. Jessica Lynch, who was held prisoner in a hospital in Iraq (news - web sites), has been granted asylum in the United States, officials said on Tuesday.

They said the lawyer, his wife and their daughter were granted asylum in Arlington, Virginia on Monday. Further details were expected to be announced by Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge during a speech later on Tuesday.

The lawyer, known after the rescue only as "Muhammad," saw 19-year-old Lynch, who had been wounded and captured in an ambush in the early days of the U.S. invasion, lying bandaged in a hospital bed in Nassiriya and decided to help.

He reportedly walked several miles to reach U.S. Marines, and drew a map to help the rescue team find the detained soldier who was rescued on April 1 by a team of U.S. special forces under cover of darkness.

After the rescue, the U.S. military took the lawyer and his family to a refugee center then flew them to the United States, where they applied for asylum.

Successful asylum seekers must show a well-founded fear of persecution base on race, religion, ethnicity or political opinion. One U.S. official said the lawyer "met the criteria" but did not give specifics.

The lawyer will be entitled to work and live in the United States and can apply for U.S. citizenship.

[Pharmboy]

We should ask this guy to be a Freeper...

[EternalVigilance]

Even though the last thing we need is another lawyer, I say BRAVO! LOL...

[DoughtyOne]

I couldn't be happier. Give the guy a pot-a-gold and a manshion to boot. Private Lynch lives and is free at home due to this man's efforts, at no small risk to himself.

[k2blader]

Wonderful!

(BTW, what happened to that story about the Mossad helping to rescue Jessica?)

[Bigg Red]

What the guy did was great, but where is his "fear of persecution" now that Saddam has been removed from power?

[ALOHA RONNIE]

The BUSH DOCTRINE =

'Bringing DEMCORACY and FREEDOM to everyone everywhere is Everyone's Answer'

WORKS.

[ALOHA RONNIE]

...Asylum for One =

...Freedom for All.

...BUSH's promise to bring Freedom to Communist Vietnam, North Korea and Cuba in a new Century of Freedom is...

...THE ANSWER.

[Pharmboy]

LOL! He should forget about the law and work the Iraqi desk at State.

[Joy Angela]

"Vietnam War Memorial Stirs Memories "

Statues honoring U.S. and Vietnamese troops are unveiled
before a crowd in Westminster. 'It means so much,' says
one veteran.

The complete article can be viewed at:
http://www.latimes.com/la-me-statue28apr28,0,3555752.story

*****
What a day for all 9000 who were there!
What a grand showing of respect and gratitide not
only to the soldiers but to America for being
the safe harbor in a time-of-need.

This is the Untold Story of Our Times.

The protestors in the Vietnam War era were
successsful from distracting Americans from the truth
of freedom's plight then, just as the current Protestors
plot to distract us from the truth of freedom's plight
today.

VIVA BUSH! May the Nation hear the Cry!

-Joy

[Brian Allen]

<< I couldn't be happier. Give the guy a pot-a-gold and a manshion to boot. Private Lynch lives and is free at home due to this man's efforts, at no small risk to himself. >>

Amen!

[Howdy, D-1?]

[Pharmboy]

I just did a few Google searches on Mossad, Lynch, Irag, prisoner, etc. and got a goose egg.

[k2blader]

Thanks.

I just did a search on FR and came up with this.

[twigs]

Actually, I don't assume he is out of danger. The Baath party is still trying to make a come back and these folks take retribution very seriously.

[DoughtyOne]

Howdy Brian. Good to see you out this fine day.