(CKOM News staff)

By Dominick Lucyk/CKOM News

Saskatchewan journalist trying to help Afghan interpreter friend out of the country

Aug 23, 2021 | 11:28 AM

While thousands scramble to escape Afghanistan, a Saskatchewan journalist is looking to help.

Following the Taliban’s rapid takeover of the country, many were looking for safe shelter.

Among those who are trying to get out are many Afghan interpreters, who have worked with military members and journalists from Western nations.

Kevin Weedmark, the editor and publisher of Moosomin newspaper, the World-Spectator, was in Afghanistan covering the war in 2004.

When he was there, he forged a bond with an interpreter who is now stuck in the country, along with his family.

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Weedmark isn’t sharing his name for safety reasons.

He joined Gormley to share his frustrations and fears about the process of trying to get his friend to Canada.

“My interpreter is one of those who wanted to stay in Afghanistan. He got a professional education, he’s in a profession now. He wanted to try to build a better country, and just within the last few weeks, he realized that the situation was going to be untenable,” Weedmark said.

On July 27, the interpreter got in touch with Weedmark, looking to get out of the country. By the next morning, he had the correct forms for the Strategic Joint Staff (SJS) to run a background check.

At first, Weedmark said it seemed that things would run smoothly — but things quickly changed.

“Two weeks ago, they got the documents they needed, they had a photo. They gave me a call and confirmed a couple of things verbally. They tell me within two minutes of that call, they had assigned him a number … They forwarded that to IRCC — Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada — and that’s where things seem to have slowed down,” he explained.

“It’s frustrating because SJS had done the vetting. They had a list. There’s no reason these people couldn’t have been flying out two weeks ago when it was safe.”

Weedmark said the government’s need for a negative COVID test and a passport is far less important than evacuating people as quickly as possible.

“It seems a little ridiculous. The important thing would seem to be getting these folks out first. I mean, the IRCC’s approach — I think of the images of the migrants in the Mediterranean, people trying to rescue them, trying to bring them on board. I don’t think they’re asking for COVID tests and passports before they rescue them,” he said.

His friend is fearing not only for his safety but for his entire family.

“I got a message from him (Friday) morning, at about 2 a.m. our time. He’s saying getting to the airport … But the problem is getting inside because of the thousands of people who are waiting there. And he says recently the Taliban has started to search the houses for the people who have worked for the foreigners, and it makes the situation unbearable for us.”