---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ----------------------------------------------------------
I would not expect a recruitment agent to say anything else. It is in his/her interest to downplay the gravity of the situation in the middle east. Can anyone actually tell us of a pleasent experience in any single Indian Embassy or Consulate? I dont think so! ----- Original Message ----- From: "Nagesh Bhatcar" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, January 30, 2003 11:59 PM Subject: [GOANET] US-Iraq stand-off worries Goans (From navhindtimes.com) ---------------------------------------------------------- Archives: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/goa-net/ http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Goanet2003/ ---------------------------------------------------------- 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. _________________________________________________________________ Add photos to your messages with MSN 8. Get 2 months FREE*. http://join.msn.com/?page=features/featuredemail
