A moral obligation to Iraqi refugees

In a new twist on an old expression, when it comes to Iraq, the road out of hell is paved with good intentions.

The United States is long overdue to honor a deep moral obligation to those who risked their lives and imperiled their families to work with the Americans.

Repeated pledges to help Iraqis who want to come to this country — those who worked for the U.S. military and government and private employers — have fallen lethally short.

The war launched in 2003 has created more than 4 million refugees. About half were forced to relocate around Iraq and scratch out an existence. At least 2 million fled to Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Iran, Lebanon and Turkey. A smattering went to Europe, mostly in Sweden. Literally a handful have been admitted to the U.S.

All the bureaucratic wheels spin without traction despite presidential rhetoric, flurries of activity at the State Department — including a feud with the Department of Homeland Security — and a ration of congressional table-pounding.

Syria, which took in 1.2 million Iraqis, is forcing the issue by toughening visa requirements, and pleading financial exigency. The U.S. blames Syria for long refusing to let U.S. officials screen Iraqis in their country.

The U.S. repeatedly set annual and monthly goals that fell woefully short. Even focused efforts can take six months and longer. Homeland Security reviews the applicant for political histories and the State Department screens for health issues and such.

Help is due the people who have worked as translators, advisers and laborers. They put themselves and their families in jeopardy to earn a living and assist those seen as invaders and occupiers. U.S. media outlets are among those who owe a debt of gratitude for help reporting the war.

A measure of relief is in the 2008 defense budget. Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon succeeded in having language included to establish a refugee processing center in Iraq to help those who demonstrate "a well-founded fear of persecution." In addition, there is a special immigrant status created for Iraqis who worked for U.S. employers and are threatened as a result. The provision admits 5,000 Iraqis yearly for five years.

Good intentions. The key is follow-through, sadly lacking in previous new years.