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US-Iraq stand-off worries Goans
by Rupesh Samant
Margao Jan 29: Every time the US President, Mr George Bush says time is
running
out for Iraq thousands of Goans whose close relations are working in the
Gulf miss a
heartbeat.
The memories of the 1991 Gulf War are still fresh when thousands had to be
evacuated
and many suffered in other ways.
However, no panic has struck yet.
The recruitment agents, who claim to be constantly in touch with the Gulf
countries,
assure that everything is normal.I am myself leaving for Kuwait tomorrow,
there is
absolutely no need to be panicky, asserted Mr Y P Borkar of R B Consultant,
Margao,
rebutting any threat. Quoting the telephonic talks he had with his business
counterparts in Kuwait, Mr Borkar, termed the situation as far away from
being
panicky.
Some of the Gulf-returned Goans also feel that the possibility of 1991
recurrence is
rare.
Even if extreme situation is imagined, there is absolutely no reason to
panic, feels Mr
Baptista Dias, who was an eye witness to Gulf war in 1991.Indian embassy
arranges
special flights and even ship to bring back the Indians, stated Mr Dias.
Due to the current US-Iraq stand-off, several family members are in constant
touch with
their kin.We frequently call him; at least once in a fortnight we talk to
him, says Mr
Ashtaq Sheikh from Cuncolim who’s brother, Mr Ariff is in Bahrain.He says
there is no
need to worry, reveals Mr Ashtaq.
Moreover, for Mr Ariff, there is no escape if war breaks out as he is
employed with the
fire services of nation.In case of emergencies, his presence is needed more,
explains
Mr Ashtaq.
The Goans who generally have migrated to these oil countries to find greener
pastures
are more concerned of losing their job, if exigency comes. For them to sit
idle back at
home in Goa is more troubling.
When the war breaks, every precaution is taken in these countries to ensure
safety of
the people residing there.The government tells you to use mask and alerts
you on
radio when there is attack. That time, you have to get into your house or
stay where
you are, narrates Mr Dias, who was then employed with Japan’s Mitsui company
in
Saudi Arabia.
Mr Dias recounts how the situation in Gulf worsened after he reached safely
to Goa.
Says Mr Joseph Cardoso, who reached Goa, last week from Saudi Arabia.When I
came from there, the situation was on the verge of getting bad. Mr Cardoso
resigned
from Saudi caterings, which is contracted with Aircraft division of British
Aerospace in
Riyadh.
There were 12 more Goan boys working with me, they want to come back but
company may not permit them, disclosed Mr Cardoso.
Indian embassy in Riyadh is hopeless. We have seen people sleeping outside
the
embassy just to get an appointment with the officers, rued a Raia youth, who
came
from Saudi Arabia three years ago. But he did not want to be identified.
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