By Emma Hartley
AMERICA was urged last night to put Ali, the 12-year-old Baghdad boy whose arms were blown off in an explosion that killed his family, on a military flight to Kuwait.
Zafar Khan, chairman of the Limbless Association, said last night that the boy’s future was being put at risk because the US military has not yet given permission for him to leave Baghdad. The charity has raised funds for his hospital treatment in London.
“The only transports going in or out of Baghdad at the moment are run by the US military, and they have been prioritising their soldiers,” he said.
“What we would like is for them to include Ali on one of those flights. Perhaps his doctor in Baghdad can suggest the hospital in Kuwait which would be best. Once there, his condition can be assessed and we can look at whether he needs to be moved again, to London.”
Earlier, an association spokewoman said that money was no longer the issue. The problem was getting permission for Ali’s evacuation. “To put it bluntly, there just doesn’t seem to be the will from the Americans,” she said.
“Two people were flown out of Basra for hospital treatment in Britain. But Basra is under British military occupation and Baghdad is under American control. If you want to know why nothing has been done, I suggest you ring the American Embassy, Jack Straw’s office or the Prime Minister.”
The US Embassy in London said that there was no one available to speak to The Times. Similarly, US Central Command in Qatar said that the spokesman who knew about the issue was not available to comment.
Tony Blair told the Commons yesterday that the Government was in touch with the authorities about the evacuation of Ali. “We will do whatever we can to help him and others in similar situations,” the Prime Minister added.
To make a donation to help Ali, contact the Limbless Assocation on 020-8788 1777 or via the www.limbless-association.org
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-647086,00.html
AMERICA was urged last night to put Ali, the 12-year-old Baghdad boy whose arms were blown off in an explosion that killed his family, on a military flight to Kuwait.
Zafar Khan, chairman of the Limbless Association, said last night that the boy’s future was being put at risk because the US military has not yet given permission for him to leave Baghdad. The charity has raised funds for his hospital treatment in London.
“The only transports going in or out of Baghdad at the moment are run by the US military, and they have been prioritising their soldiers,” he said.
“What we would like is for them to include Ali on one of those flights. Perhaps his doctor in Baghdad can suggest the hospital in Kuwait which would be best. Once there, his condition can be assessed and we can look at whether he needs to be moved again, to London.”
Earlier, an association spokewoman said that money was no longer the issue. The problem was getting permission for Ali’s evacuation. “To put it bluntly, there just doesn’t seem to be the will from the Americans,” she said.
“Two people were flown out of Basra for hospital treatment in Britain. But Basra is under British military occupation and Baghdad is under American control. If you want to know why nothing has been done, I suggest you ring the American Embassy, Jack Straw’s office or the Prime Minister.”
The US Embassy in London said that there was no one available to speak to The Times. Similarly, US Central Command in Qatar said that the spokesman who knew about the issue was not available to comment.
Tony Blair told the Commons yesterday that the Government was in touch with the authorities about the evacuation of Ali. “We will do whatever we can to help him and others in similar situations,” the Prime Minister added.
To make a donation to help Ali, contact the Limbless Assocation on 020-8788 1777 or via the www.limbless-association.org
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,5944-647086,00.html
