“But why is he so fixed on England? Why not apply for asylum in France? Samir likes the French but like so many at the camp, he believes in an almost mythical sense of British tolerance. He also has contacts in Britain and he speaks the language. But there are other reasons too. His university teachers had studied in the UK during the 1960s and ’70s and spoke highly of it. Also, as a Kurd, he believes the UK’s show of force against Baghdad bodes well for him. The authorities will be more sympathetic to his plight.”
