About 8,000 Iraqi refugees could enter U.S

WASHINGTON, April 11 (UPI) -- The senior coordinator for Iraqi refugees, U.S. Amb. James Foley, said some 751 Iraqi refugees resettled in the United States in March.

Foley told a news conference that U.S. immigration officials indicated about 2,700 Iraqi refugees arrived in the United States so far this fiscal year, bringing the total since 2007 to around 4,300.

Another 8,000 Iraqi are scheduled for interviews with the Department of Homeland Security and other immigration officials by June, Foley said, though he noted medical clearances and exit permits could delay those overall figures.

U.S. officials said about 200 Iraqi refugees entered the United States in 2005 and 2006, with significantly lower figures in the preceding years.

Foley said international refugee agencies have issued appeals in 2008 for nearly $900 million for Iraqi refugees, with the United States contributing over $200 million toward that goal.

The ambassador said he had "reasonable confidence" to expect other donors to pledge around $170 million in aid and noted the U.S. State Department planned to put the matter near the top of its agenda when U.S. Secretary Condoleezza Rice visits the Middle East toward the end of April.

Foley said, however, he was "convinced that the Iraqi Government has the primary responsibility and has the means to respond to the needs of Iraq refugees in the neighboring countries."