February 11, 2002

Where Assyrians=20 Get Their News. =

101 San Fernando Street, Suite 505
San Jose, = CA =20 95112 U.S.
Voice (408) = 918-9200
Fax (408)=20 918-9201

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Volume=20 VIII

Issue=20 2

February 11,=20 = 2002

return to=20 zindamagazine.com

If you are printing the magazine from your web browser, click=20 here.

This Week In=20 Zinda

3D"cover
cover = photo

The=20 Lighthouse		George Bit-Atanous: The Man Behind the = Assyrian=20 Flag
Good=20 Morning Bet-Nahrain		Iraq Forcing Kirkuk Assyrians Out, Says=20 Zowaa
News=20 Digest		Assyrian Man Holds Up California Apartment = For Five=20 Hours St. Peter Parish In New York Purchases New=20 Building Craig Realty Group Planning to Remodel and = Expand=20 Citadel Obituary: Leontine Bet-Morada Obituary: Dr. = Mooshy=20 Sergis
Surfs=20 Up!		Hope For Future Congratulations to His=20 Grace Love Your Magazine! Gdeela or Gleeda? Of All = Places=20 the Public Library
Surfers=20 Corner		International Assyrian Scientific = Conference in=20 Moscow Atra Project Assyrian Community Honors = Congressman Rod=20 Blagojevich A Seminar For Assyrian Women AAA of = Southern=20 California Monthly Membership Meeting
Literatus		The Garden of God - My Homeland=20 Bet-Nahrain
Bravo		Prof. Joesph Yacoub's New Book Latest = Issue of=20 Nakosha Magazine
Pump=20 Up the Volume		Food & Drink
Back=20 to the Future		Destruction of Ancient Orchards and = Biblical=20 Aramaic
Calendar=20 of Events		MESA = 2001

The Lighthouse=20

GEORGE BIT-ATANOUS
The Man Behind the Assyrian=20 Flag

Born in 1919 in=20 Rostov, Ukraine (USSR), George Bit-Atanous's father was Havel = Atanous of=20 Yangiga, Urmi and his mother was Maria Keller, a Volga German from = Ukraine. After the Russian Revolution of 1917 had consolidated its = gains=20 by the 1920s, foreign nationals were given the choice of either = adopting=20 Soviet citizenship or leaving the country. George's parents chose = the=20 latter option. In 1927 the family arrived at Bandar Anzali (Bandar = Pahlavi=20 during the Pahlavi monarchy), the main Iranian port on the Caspian = Sea.=20 There, the eight-year-old Zhora (Russian nickname for George) = attended the=20 Russian school established by Russian authorities, for the Russian = technical advisors' families. Most of these worked for "Shelat," a = joint-venture company formed between Iran and the Soviet Union to = exploit=20 the Caspian fish and caviar industry.

In 1936 the family moved to Iran's capital, Tehran where Zhora = spent=20 the rest of his life. He attended a government secondary school, = and after=20 graduation, continued his advanced studies, via correspondence = with the=20 University of Calcutta (India), in the field of topography and = geodesy. In=20 the meantime, he began, from scratch, to learn both the Assyrian = and=20 Persian languages. He studied with Rabi Shmuel Touma, a graduate = of the=20 American Boys' School in Urmi Qala, who survived the Genocide and = was=20 quite well versed in both Assyrian and Persian. Soon Zhora learned = to read=20 and write these languages. Together with his experienced craftsman = father,=20 they established the Geodesical and Surveying Bureau of George=20 Bit-Atanous. As business grew, so did his interest in Assyriology. = He=20 imported an Assyrian typewriter from Germany, and started decoding = and=20 learning the cuneiform writing system. Soon he had a growing = personal=20 library in Russian, French, and English on Assyriology as well as=20 important works such as bilingual dictionaries including that of = Mar Touma=20 Audo.

Next, after=20 careful study of the Assyrian emblem from archeological = publications, he=20 meticulously designed the present flag with geometric dimensions, = colors,=20 and the symbols for which they stand. Following this achievement, = he set=20 about arranging to have minted some one hundred silver medals and = twelve=20 gold ones to be presented to anyone who performed a valuable = service for=20 the Assyrian cause. Via the good friendship of an Iranian friend = at the=20 government mint, he succeeded in having these medals (with ancient = Assyrian motifs) all minted with precision. The first of the gold = ones was=20 presented to the late Malik Yacoub d'Malik Ismael when he visited = Iran.=20 Besides these medals, he designed scores of gold and enamel lapel = pins,=20 and cuff links, all with Assyrian logos, and had them made. He = presented=20 these to persons attending Assyrian conferences and seminars in = Europe or=20 the United States, or to those, prior to emigrating from Iran, who = would=20 stop by to bid him goodbye.

As a tribute to the late General Agha Petros, he flew to = Florence,=20 Italy to consult with an artisan who he commissioned to design a=20 bas-relief image of the General's bust on special metal, which he = then had=20 mounted on an octagonal mahogany frame. He invited the Italian = artisan to=20 come to Tehran, spend a week, and bring ten of these items. = Learning that=20 there were two Assyrians holding political office in the United = States,=20 Zhora presented Illinois State Senator John Nimrod and US = Congressman Adam=20 Benjamin (Indiana) each with a plaque of the Agha Petros bust = along with a=20 special medal. He also sent the same to the surviving son of Agha = Petros,=20 David, who along with his family, continue to reside in Chateau = Novital,=20 France, the place donated by the French government as an Assyrian = refugee=20 site after the Genocide.

As a symbol of his esteem for the Assyrian capital of Nineveh, = he=20 ordered two tailor-made suits with the winged bull design sown on = their=20 breast pockets. He presented one to this writer, which he gladly = dons on=20 special occasions.

Whenever an Assyrian Universal Alliance representative would = arrive in=20 Tehran, there was Zhora to greet him, accommodate him in a fine = hotel, and=20 pay all expenses for the duration of his stay in Iran. There is no = end to=20 the unique human qualities and admirable character traits of the = late=20 George Bet Atanous. He was exceptionally generous, kind, = compassionate and=20 helpful to those in need or distress or who suffered an illness. = He=20 trained and helped scores of young Assyrians and helped them to = find=20 work.

Since early youth, Zhora was an outstanding sportsman. He was, = among=20 other things, a tap dancer, a skier (both water and snow), a = horseman, a=20 champion bowler as well as a boxer. Emanuel Aghassi (Tennis Player = Andre=20 Aghasi's father) was his regular visitor and friend. In = recognition of his=20 selfless dedication and contribution to the preservation of the = arts,=20 culture and history of the Assyrian heritage, in 1979 George = Bit-Atanous=20 was named "the Assyrian Man of the Year" by the Assyrian Universal = Alliance.

Aside from the business which he ran, George was also employed = by the=20 government due to his unique specialization in the geodesical = field. He=20 served for some thirteen years as an industrial engineer in the = Department=20 of Labor. After years of importing and working with diverse = geodesical=20 instruments, mainly theodolites from various countries, he = concluded that=20 those made by a Hungarian firm were superior to others. However, = after=20 much examination, he noticed a minute technical problem with some=20 instruments and reported this to the Hungarian government firm = that=20 manufactured them. At first, they were skeptical but finally = invited him=20 to Budapest for a week of meetings and discussions. The Hungarian=20 scientists and industrialists realized he was right. In = recognition of his=20 contributions to the improvement of their instruments, George Bit = Atanous=20 was awarded official "diplomas", one from the Hungarian Ministry = of=20 Science and Industry and the other from the Ministry of = Education.

In spite of his general good health and strong physique, = genetically=20 inherited diabetes began to take its toll. Even after intensive = care and=20 treatment, first his left leg had to be amputated, followed by a = steady=20 weakening of the other. His general health started to deteriorate = and he=20 was confined to a wheelchair: but he continued to work part-time. = Two=20 years ago, an Assyrian resident of Turlock, on his way to Tehran = and Urmi,=20 stopped at his office and requested George to autograph an = Assyrian flag.=20 Since his physical condition would not allow him to meet his = visitor's=20 request on the spot, he found out his hotel address, prepared the=20 requested item and went to the hotel. The visitor could not = believe his=20 eyes when he saw Zhora, in a wheel chair, come to the hotel to = deliver in=20 person, the requested flag. Later on, the visitor learned that = Zhora had=20 even paid his hotel expenses! Such a person was this unique human=20 being.

Besides all the foregoing selfless dedication to the Assyrian = cause for=20 over five decades, George's legacy includes a beautifully designed = color=20 book, in Persian, comprising of many pictures of ancient kinds, = emblems,=20 cuneiform writing and so forth, called A Research into the History = and=20 Legends of Ancient Ashur.

On = Tuesday, 10 October=20 2000 at 11:30 am George closed his eyes for the last time, = surrounded by=20 his wife Ludmilla (Lucia Ossipoff) and their three children, = Thomas,=20 Maria, and Sergy (Serozha). Zhora is also survived by his sister = Lila=20 Mirzayoff. He is missed by Tehran's community which held a special = memorial service by which to remember him.

The Assyrian flag designed by George Bit-Atanous in 1967, = on the=20 basis of geometric dimensions, colors and symbols from = archaeological=20 discoveries. 'ia&i~t~t (Ata D'Atur =3D Flag of Assyria). The = symbolism=20 of the colors is as follows: Blue for Prosperity, White for Peace, = and Red=20 for Honor.

Dr.=20 Wilhelm Alexander Mirzayoff
California

[Dr. = Mirzayoff's=20 article was first printed under "George Bit-Atanouis: Biographical = Obituary of a Ukrainian Born Assyrian Patriot" in the Fall 2001 = issue of=20 the Assyrian Star magazine. Dr. Mirzayoff is a retired = Veterinarian and a=20 choral vocalist, and lives in Modesto, California. Assyrian Star = is the=20 official publication of the Assyrian American National Federation = and is=20 currently published by the Beth Nahrin Assyrian Organization of = Worcester,=20 Massachusetts. To subscribe email TheAssyrianStar@aol.com. Photo = courtesy=20 of Vasili Shumonov, Ashurbanipal Library - Chicago.]

Further Reading:

The Origins and Description of the Assyrian Flag by Homer = Ashurian:=20 http://www.atour.c= om/education/20000602b.html

The Meaning of the Assyrian Flag by Pauline Jasim:
http://www.aina.org/aol/flag.ht= m

GOOD MORNING=20 BET-NAHRAIN

IRAQ=20 FORCING KIRKUK ASSYRIANS OUT, SAYS = ZOWAA

Courtesy of Dow=20 Jones International News (Feb 11)

(ZNDA: Amman) Iraq's government is cleansing the northern Iraqi = province of Kirkuk of all but Arab residents, Damascus-based Iraqi = , the=20 Assyrian Democratic Movement and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan = said in=20 a statement today. Kirkuk is an oil-rich province 240 kilometers = (150=20 miles) north of Baghdad, just outside the autonomous region of = northern=20 Iraq.

Emanuel Khoshaba, an official with the Assyrian Democratic = Movement=20 (Zowaa), said "10 Assyrian families have been forced to move to = the Iraqi=20 capital, Baghdad, since the beginning of the year."

Their deportation is the result of an Arabization campaign led = by the=20 ruling Iraqi Baath party, Khoshaba said. About 30,000 Assyrians = were=20 believed to have lived in Kirkuk before the 1991 Gulf war. Their = numbers=20 there today aren't known. According to reliable sources to Zinda = Magazine=20 many oil company workers in Kirkuk have been dismissed since the = beginning=20 of this year for adopting an Assyrian, Kurdish, or Turkoman name = for their=20 newly-born.

News Digest =

ASSYRIAN MAN=20 HOLDS UP CALIFORNIA APARTMENT FOR FIVE HOURS

Courtesy of the Orange County Register

(ZNDA: Los Angeles) The 20-year-old Roland Amrikhas Jr., = threatening to=20 commit suicide, barricaded himself in a Fountain Valley, = California=20 apartment for five hours last Friday, forcing police to evacuate = more than=20 200 apartments and lock down four schools.

Roland Amrikhas = Jr.=20 fired more than a dozen gunshots inside his home at Sycamore = Valley=20 Apartments. He was later arrested on suspicion of assault with a = deadly=20 weapon and threatening public officers and taken to Orange County = Jail,=20 police Sgt. Kevin Thomas said.

Amrikhas' neighbors milled around in the streets while SWAT = team=20 members and crisis negotiators swarmed the complex. Parents who = got word=20 of the standoff rushed to nearby schools to pick up their children = early.=20 Police Capt. Paul Sorrell said Amrikhas has a history of = psychological=20 problems and had called 911 at 10:46 Friday morning threatening to = kill=20 himself. He surrendered about 3:30 p.m.

ST.=20 PETER PARISH IN NEW YORK PURCHASES NEW BUILDING

(ZNDA: New York) According to the Syrian Orthodox Church=92s = Archdiocese=20 of Eastern U.S., the Parish of St. Peter in Long Island has = acquired a=20 church building in Hicksville, New York. The church building was = bought=20 from the Ukrainian Orthodox Church for Four Hundred Thousand = dollars. The=20 Parish of St. Peter is under the care of Rev. Fr. Gabriel Adde. = There are=20 as many as 20,000 Assyrians living in Belgium.

In other = place, last=20 November a magnificent 19th century church in the heart of the = city of=20 Brussels serving the Assyrian community was sold to the Society of = Saint=20 Pius X, a Roman Catholic group. The church with an area of some = 25,000=20 square feet, was for a long time Belgium=92s national shrine = dedicate to=20 Saint Joseph. The Assyrian congregation had worshipped at this = church for=20 over fifteen years.

According to the Syriac Universal = Alliance,=20 the church building in Brussels was privately owned by the late = Mr.. Jean=20 Glor who had allowed the Assyrian group in to use it freely. SUA = indicates=20 that just before his death, Mr.. Glor sold the church building for = fifty=20 million Belgian Franks or roughly 1.2 million Euros.

The = Assyrian=20 community of Brussels hired two lawyers to investigate and prevent = the=20 sale of their church. Some demonstrators were jailed for blocking = the=20 entrance to the church and later released.

The information = received by Zinda Magazine indicates that the members of this = congregation=20 were not previously informed about the sale of the church in = Brussels.=20 Mr.. Glor=92s son also denies any knowledge of this sale.

CRAIG = REALTY GROUP=20 PLANNING TO REMODEL AND EXPAND CITADEL

Courtesy of Los Angeles Times; article by Bob=20 Howard

(ZNDA: Los Angeles) Craig Realty Group, a = Newport=20 Beach, California developer plans to remodel and expand the = Citadel=20 Outlets shopping center, a former tire factory along the Santa Ana = Freeway=20 in Southern California that looks like an Assyrian temple. CRG has = six=20 months to negotiate a deal to buy the center from the city for = about $50=20 million.

The 147,000-square-foot outlet center, about nine = miles=20 southeast of downtown Los Angeles, includes 42 stores on a site = originally=20 built as a Samson Tire & Rubber Co. plant, later operated by = Uniroyal,=20 and converted to an outlet mall 10 years ago.

Craig's plan would expand the center by 100,000 square feet, = adding 18=20 to 23 new stores by summer 2003 and creating a new look for the = interior=20 along with a new entrance and parking layout.

The remodeling would preserve the Citadel's 22-foot-high wall, = which=20 the city designated a cultural landmark in the early 1980s, said = Raymond=20 Ramirez, assistant director of community development for Commerce. = The=20 wall, which runs a third of a mile along the freeway, features = bas-relief=20 griffins, winged genies and warriors in chariots in a design = inspired by=20 ancient Assyria.

OBITUARY: LEONTINE BET-MORADA
Jan. 2, 1904 --=20 Feb. 2, 2002

(ZNDA: Turlock) Leontine Bet-Morada, 98, of Turlock died = Saturday at=20 Emanuel Medical Center. Mrs. Bet-Morada was a native of Salamas, = Iran. She=20 lived in Turlock for 10 years. She was a member of St. Thomas = Assyrian=20 Chaldean Catholic Church.

She is survived by her children, George Bet-Morada of Iran, = Victoria=20 Nazerbekian of Los Angeles, Marguerite Jouma of Turlock and = Eugenie Karama=20 of Paris; and 10 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

A Mass was held at 10 a.m. Saturday at St. Thomas Assyrian = Chaldean=20 Catholic Church. Burial was followed at Turlock Memorial Park. = Whitehurst,=20 Norton & Dias Chapel was in charge of arrangements.

OBITUARY: DR. MOOSHY SERGIS
May 8, 1911 --=20 Feb. 2, 2002

(ZNDDA: Turlock) Dr. Mooshy Sergis, 90, of Turlock died = Saturday at=20 Brandel Manor Convalescent Hospital. Dr. Sergis was a native of = Urmia,=20 Iran. He moved to San Francisco as a child, then moved to Keyes; = he also=20 lived in Stockton before moving to Turlock in 1992. He attended = Turlock=20 High School, Modesto Junior College, the University of California = at=20 Berkeley and the University of California at San Francisco, where = he=20 obtained his doctorate in medicine. He was a self-employed=20 ophthalmologist; a member of the American Medical Association, = California=20 Medical Association and American Association of Ophthalmology. He = was an=20 Army veteran of World War II, serving as a physician in Egypt.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday at DeYoung = Memorial=20 Chapel in Stockton. Burial took place at Turlock Memorial Park. = Allen=20 Mortuary was in charge of = arrangements.

Surfs Up! =

HOPE FOR FUTURE

"The cover photo of last week's issue = was=20 wonderful. Seeing the beautiful and innocent faces of these = two=20 youngsters has brought me joy and hope. Hope in the future of = our=20 tormented nation. May God bless all the students of St. = Hurmizd=20 Assyrian Primary School, their parents, and their teachers. = May God=20 grant all of us wisdom to stand for the truth and do His will = as He=20 fulfills His promise to the Assyrian Nation."

Maryam Pirayou
California

CONGRATULATIONS TO HIS GRACE

"Congratulations to H.G Bishop Mar = Bawai Soro=20 on his successful Doctorate Degree in Theology. I hope now His = Grace=20 can concentrate more on his neglected Dioceses and restore the = lost=20 and deteriorating confidence of the Church faithful. We will = be=20 waiting to reap the fruits of this Degree for the benefit of = our=20 Beloved Church, preserved over two thousand years by our Holy=20 Forefathers, not equipped with a Doctorate Degree, but rather = faith=20 (TRUE FAITH).

1 Corinthians 13

If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have = not love,=20 I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have = the gift=20 of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, = and if I=20 have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am = nothing.=20 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to = the=20 flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, = love is=20 kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It = is not=20 rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it = keeps no=20 record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices = with the=20 truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always = perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, = they=20 will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; = where there=20 is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we = prophesy=20 in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. = When I=20 was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I = reasoned=20 like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind = me. Now=20 we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see = face to=20 face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I = am fully=20 known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But = the=20 greatest of these is love.

Once again congratulations Mar Bawai."

Sam=20 Gevargis
Australia

LOVE YOUR MAGAZINE!

"I would first like to thank you for = publishing=20 an Assyrian magazine of great quality. Further, the ten minute = educational video on the Assyrians and their position in Iraq, = was=20 insightful and necessary for many to develop a base = understanding of=20 what our people are forced to deal with on a daily basis=85I = look=20 forward to further insightful videos from your library..."

Tabitha Younan

GDEELA OR GLEEDA?

"Sincere Congratulations for an = exemplary job,=20 well done, for the past SEVEN years, and a Very Happy 8th = Birthday.=20
And best wishes for your continued success.

Under your "Pump up the volume" Febr. 4 issue, you = translate ICE in=20 Assyrian as "Glee-da" and for Refrigerator/Ice Box you say=20 "Bet-Gleeda". Could there be a typographical error, I = wonder?

According to ORAHAM'S (Alexander Joseph ORAHAM, Mic.D)=20 Assyrian/English Dictionary, published in Chicago, Illinois in = 1943,=20 of which I bought a copy in Baghdad, Iraq in 1945, there's no = such=20 word as "GLEE-DA" in the
entire dictionary. Oraham = translates the=20 Assyrian word "GDEELA" as ICE or Frozen Water in English, and = goes on=20 to describe how the water freezes under certain = temperatures.

Back to my question...was there a typo error in Zinda's = reversal of=20 the letters L and D? or do you actually have evidence to = convince=20 readers that GLEE-DA is indeed the accurate Assyrian word for = Ice. Can=20 you please elucidate this question in your next issue. If = indeed=20 GLEEDA is a new Assyrian word for Ice, this comes as a = surprise to me,=20 as I had never heard it before.

You might be interested to know that the late Dr. Oraham = was born=20 on Feb. 7, 1898 (exactly 104 years ago today), in the village = of=20 Armood-Aghadge, Urmia. He graduated in 1925 with a degree of = Doctor of=20 Microbiology (Mic.D), from
the Physicians and Surgeons = College of=20 Microbiology, in Chicago. In 1941 he established the greatest = Assyrian=20 Printing Press, The Consolidated Press, in (USA) Chicago, = where his=20 above mentioned dictionary (576 pages) was
printed. His = wife,=20 Almas, set the Assyrian type, and Oraham himself did the = English=20 Types. Incredible that such a feat was accomplished 60 years = ago under=20 the most difficult conditions!

A Professor, (I assume), by the name of M. Sprengling, of = the=20 University of Chicago, wrote an admirable "FORWARD" to the = Dictionary=20 on March 29, 1943, just as the book was being printed, and = gave Dr.=20 & Mrs. Oraham the highest
praise for this = extraordinary=20 accomplishment!

I hope you'll find the above information useful for your = archives.=20 And Oh yes, please don't forget to clarify the question of = Ice!!!=20 Thanks and best regards."

Shlimoon Youkhana
Illinois

[ We are = delighted to find=20 such keen observers of our PUMP UP THE VOLUME entries among = our=20 readers. Indeed, the word for "ice" in modern Assyrian usage = is=20 GDEELA; however, the correct spelling and pronunciation = remains=20 GLEEDA. There are several such words in the Assyrian language = in which=20 the letters in the first syllable have reversed their = position,=20 perhaps to facilitate their pronunciation. Other such words = include=20 BSADEEYA (pillow) and GVEENEH (eyebrows). Today, these two = words are=20 commonly pronounced as SBADEEYA and GNEEVEH, respectively. ]=20

OF ALL PLACES THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

"I enjoy reading your magazine and = wish you all=20 the success. I wanted to share with you a pleasant experience = I had=20 few years back. It is about a picture that I got by = chance.

I and my family live in small town in the state of North = Carolina=20 suburb of Raleigh. Some years back my daughter using the = town's=20 Library, noticed a picture that was displayed on the wall of = main=20 entrance hall of the Library. The writing on the picture = stated: "You=20 may have the GRACE to look up and out : Assyrians - A group = that comes=20 from now part of Iran, Iraq,Turkey, Syria and Lebanon - enjoy = line=20 dancing at a community benefit in Chicago."

My daughter asked the Librarian about the picture. The = Librarian=20 said that the Library displays pictures of different ethnic = groups=20 that make the population of USA. The pictures are replaced = every so=20 often to show the diversity of people from different lands and = the old=20 pictures are documented and then discarded. My daughter asked = if she=20 could have the picture for her father who is Assyian after the = Library=20 is done with it. I was very surprised when my daughter = presented me=20 with the picture and it brought tears to my eyes, and am very = grateful=20 to my new country that recognizes my ethnic origin."

Ben=20 Shabo
North Carolina

Surfers=20 Corner

Church=20 of the East Calendar 2002 - AssyrianMarket.com=20

INTERNATIONAL ASSYRIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN = MOSCOW
May 10=20 - 11, 2002

The Editorial Board of "Melta" Bulletin and an Assyrian = stirring group=20 from Russia are organizing an International Scientific Conference = titled=20 "The Assyrians Today: Issues and Perspectives". The Conference = will take=20 place in Moscow, Russia between May 10 - 11, 2002.

The Conference program will highlight the following:

- The issues of the Assyrians in the Middle East.
- Assyrian = Communities in Diaspora.
- Perspectives of development.
- = The way to=20 the rapprochement of different tribal and confessional groups.

The Organizing Committee of the Conference is inviting twelve = prominent=20 Assyrian scientists and political commentators at the Organizing = Committee=20 expenses.

Those who wish to take part in this Conference (except special = guests)=20 must send Registration Form to the Organizing Committee.

Participants are invited to submit abstracts of their reports. = The=20 abstract should not be longer than 400 words. Deadline for = submission of=20 abstracts is February 28, 2002.

Abstracts can be submitted in three ways:
1. via the = Internet
2.=20 by regular mail
3. by fax.

Submissions by electronic mail are preferred.

Please, note your audio-visual requirements:

- Overhead projector
- Slide projector
- Other = requirements=20 _________________________________________________

REGISTRATION FORM

Last Name: _____________________ First name(s):=20 _____________________

Title/ Profession:=20 ____________________________________________________

Company/ Institution:=20 ________________________________________________

Address:=20 ___________________________________________________________

Postal code: ___________ City: _______________ Country:=20 _______________

Fax: _________________________ E-mail:=20 _____________________________

Abstract (please, do not exceed 400 words of text):

Title:=20 _____________________________________________________________

Name(s) of=20 author(s): = ________________________________________________
Text of=20 abstract:
Hotel accommodation:
Your accommodation will be in = the=20 hotel "Russia" (about 100 meters from the Kremlin).
Single room = (per=20 night) - 50 US$
Double room (per night) - 70 US$ (Prices = include=20 breakfast)
Reception at Conference Hall (2 days) - 20=20 US$.
Attendance of the Bolshoi Theatre - 50 US$.
Banquet - = 50=20 US$.
Total amount:=20 _______________________________________________________
Special = Requests*:=20 = _____________________________________________________
________________= __________________________________________________

Date: __________________________ Signature:=20 _________________________

*Exclusive trips to Saint Petersburg, Vladimir (Golden Ring), = and the=20 Republic of Georgia may be organized.

Language

The official Conference languages are English, Russian and,=20 predominantly Assyrian. Simultaneous interpretation will be = provided.

Important date

February 28, 2002 - deadline for submission of Abstracts and=20 Registration Forms.

The Organizing Committee Members:
- Badalov Edward
- Bar = Sliva=20 Igor
- Bidjamov Roland
- Khoshabaev-Tziklauri Nugzar
- = Osipov=20 Sargis
- Savva Arsen
- Veniaminov Walter

Address: P.O. Box 18, Moscow, 129642, Russia
Telephone:=20 (7-095)-935-0155, -233-5387 (S.Osipov); (7-095)-131-2575=20 (R.Bidjamov);
(7-095)-163-9418 (E.Badalov).

Telefax: (7-095)-935-0155.
E-mail: melta@aport2000.ru

The next letter will be sent to you in the first ten-day period = of=20 March, 2002.

Coference Organizers
Melta Magazine
Moscow, = Russia

ATRA PROJECT

Atra project, under the direction of Dr. Ashour Moradkhan, has = surveyed=20 23 Assyrian villages in Garbia to determine their needs for new = orchards.=20 Villages surveyed are Betbedi, Kondi-cosi, Sikrini, Belijani, = Davidiya,=20 Dihee, Ainadnoonea, Doori, Betshmaiyayea, Hiyis, Derishki, Mayi, = Tashish,=20 Margajiya, Kashkava, Chagala, Khalillani, Jooli, Hayzani, = Bilmandi,=20 Rabatki, Merroki, and Bageri. The survey determined that we need = to supply=20 to the villagers, 27,600 apple, 4,500 peaches, and 3,400 almond = trees.

Atra project has commenced purchasing these trees and = distributing them=20 to the villagers according to the acreage they own. We are = confident that=20 by the end of March this year this project will essentially=20 completed.
The next step is to survey all the waterways in = these=20 villages to determine that what need to be cleaned and/or = repaired.

We want to ensure that when summer is here, the villagers have = adequate=20 water supply for their new orchards.
The significance of this = project=20 is that in a matter of two to three years, these villagers will = have=20 steady income from
their orchards and will not need to either = abandon=20 their villages or depend on outside financial help.

We appeal to all Assyrians, especially the readers of Zinda = Magazine to=20 step forward and register as supporters of the Atra Project. What = we are=20 asking is a very small donation of $20.00 per month. This project = is not=20 associated with any
church or political organization. It is an = Assyrian project, supported by Assyrians and for the benefit of=20 Assyrians.
Please make your tax deductible check to the = Assyrian Aid=20 Society and mail it to

Youel A=20 Baaba
720 Evelyn Court,
Alamo, CA 94507.
Youel A. = Baaba
Atra=20 Project
Director - U.S.

ASSYRIAN COMMUNITY HONORS CONGRESSMAN ROD=20 BLAGOJEVICH
Gubernatorial Candidate for the State of = Illinois

Please join the Assyrian community in honoring Congressman Rod=20 Blagojevich, Candidate for Governor. Congressman Blagojevich has = brought=20 energy and optimism to making life better for the people of the = State of=20 Illinois. He believes strongly in the opportunities this country = has to=20 offer for everyone in order to build a better life for families = and their=20 children. This is the promise of America. Rod Blagojevich puts = principles=20 first and is willing to take a stand. His public service and his = vision=20 for the state are driven by a strong belief in the promise of = American=20 Dream.
A fundraising reception is scheduled for

Sunday, February 24, 2002
5:30 p.m.
Edens Banquet Hall = (Assyrian=20 Social Club)
6313 N. Pulaski Rd., Chicago, IL 60647
(773)=20 478-8808

Hors d'oeuvres and dessert will be served; cash=20 bar.
$50.00 per ticket (minimum)

Please make checks payable to: Blagojevich for Governor

For more information, please contact:
Joseph Tamraz: (773) = 383-9600;=20 jtamraz@attbi.com <mailto:jtamraz@attbi.com>
Raymond = Oshana:=20 (773) 447-0358
Nadia E. Joseph: (773) 461-6633;=20 nadiaejoseph@hotmail.com = <mailto:nadiaejoseph@hotmail.com>

www.aanf.org

A=20 SEMINAR FOR ASSYRIAN WOMEN

The Assyrian Ladies Bible Study Group of Los Angeles=20 Presents:
"Blessed are you of the LORD, my daughter" (Ruth = 3:10)

3 March 2002
2:00 - 6:00 PM

St. Paul Assyrian Catholic Church
13050 Vanowen = Street
North=20 Hollywood

Mrs. Florence Eshagh-Sarkis of Bet-Eil Assyrian Church in San = Jose will=20 be the guest speaker at this seminar and will focus on the Book of = Ruth=20 and its practical applications for modern Assyrian women. = (Absolutely No=20 Children)

Bet-Eil=20 Assyrian Church
San Jose, California

AAA = OF SOUTHERN=20 CALIFORNIA MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP MEETING

All members of the Assyrian American Association of Southern=20 California, Inc. are invited to attend the regular monthly meeting = of the=20 association to be held at the Assyrian Hall located at the 5901 = Cahuenga=20 Blvd., North Hollywood on May 21st, 2000, at 4 PM at which time = the roll=20 call will begin.

The agenda of the meeting will include the following:

1. Report of the activities since installation
2. = Financial=20 report
3. Programs of the Executive Board for the remainder = of the=20 year: Bingo, TV, Scouts, Sports, etc.

Member's attendance is very important to rectify the decisions = made in=20 the board meetings and the programs intended to render. Those = individuals,=20 who still have not paid their annual membership dues, may do so at = this=20 meeting. Non-members may attend in the meeting for observation and = may not=20 participate in voting, however, they may make comments upon = chairman's=20 consent.

Noray=20 Bet Baba
President
AAA of Southern=20 California

THE GARDEN OF=20 GOD - MY HOMELAND BET-NAHRAIN

The = following is a=20 translation of Rabbie Yosip Bet-Yosip's poem in Assyrian. Rabbie = Bet Yosip=20 participated at an international congress of the world's poet = where he=20 recited this poem in Assyrian.

Land of Bet Nahrain, mother of civilization,
Man rose to = glory=20 from your cradle.
God plant his garden on your fertile = soil,
From=20 your fruit of wisdom your children became historical = figures.
Your=20 rulers enlightened multitudes of people.
Humanity's sorrow = turned to=20 gladness.

Yet your children to day are without a cradle
Their heart = heavy,=20 their festivity a funeral chant.
Ruthlessly uprooted from your=20 bosom,
Suffering and endlessly tormented.
The hand of mercy = has been=20 stopped from reaching you;
Your voice is smothered not to be = heard by=20 caring ears

They are drying the waters flowing over your land;
Stealing = the=20 artifacts of your gifted scholars.
They take ownership of your = rich=20 treasures;
In your land no place is left untorn.
Piercing = your body=20 with poisoned weapons,
Crippling your unborn generations,

They rule with ruthless power,
Destroying the lives of those = who=20 resist them.
They proclaim to be protectors of rights
While=20 professing the love of antiquity.
Heaving you credentials in=20 abyss;
To be hidden forever.

Bet Nahrain - The Assyrian name for Mesopotamia
Before long = had your=20 rivers
No water left to wet your lips.
Your majestic face = will begin=20 to crack
The Garden of Satan you will be renamed.
These are = the New=20 World orders,
From the powerful to the weak.

I possess neither the strength to rescue you from their = hands,
Nor=20 to shelter you from the evil of their will.
They have = befriended=20 Khoombaba
To eradicate the Ur ~, of their father.
My only = hope lies=20 in those;
Who know the truth of your rich history.

May someday the guardians of righteousness
Rise up strong = and step=20 forward,
To rescue from destruction not only you,
But also = the=20 others they oppress.
To bring forth the age of holy = peace
And shield=20 humanity from evil.

Yosip=20 Bet Yosip
California
September 2001

Khoombaba = - the=20 monster of the Epic of Gilgamesh by William Daniel
Ur - The = birthplace=20 of Abraham

Literatus

Assyrian Surfing=20 Posts

-----

Pump Up the=20 Volume

ENGLISH	ASSYRIAN	GENDER	EXAMPLE
Food , Nutrient	MEE-KHOOL-TA	Feminine	Meekholta qa Paghra: Nutrient (food ) for = body
Drink	SHTEH - TA	Feminine	Cold Drink: Shte-ta=20 Qaarirta

Bravo

PROF.=20 JOESPH YACOUB'S NEW BOOK

Au nom de Dieu (In the Name of God)
A New Book by Professor = Joseph=20 Yacoub
Publication Date: February 2002

Professor Yacoub teaches International Relations at the = Catholic=20 University in Lyon, France. He is a specialist in the study of = religious=20 minority groups. His other books include The Assyrian Question = (1986), La=20 Question Assyro-Chaldeenne, Les Puissances Europeennes et la = Societe des=20 Nations [1908-1938] 4 Volumes (1984), and Les Assyro-Chaldeens = (1985).

LATEST ISSUE OF NAKOSHA MAGAZINE

A bomb has hit the Assyrian community. Maybe not exactly like = one of=20 those daisy-cutters dropped over Afghanistan, but one with equally = destructive effects. The devastation is one that will affect = generations=20 of Assyrians, not only financially, but also in terms of = self-confidence=20 and morale.

We are, of course,=20 speaking of Karl Suleman and his companies, in particular Karl = Suleman=20 Enterprizes (KSE). Once touted as a man who will raise the name of = Assyrians to new levels, who has donated generously to Assyrians = of all=20 backgrounds, his company has instead managed to destroy thousands = of=20 Assyrians and create hatred, paranoia, mistrust and jealousy in a=20 community that was only tenuously united to begin with.

The saga has the potential to tarnish the names of many = respected=20 community leaders. How did Assyrians of every imaginable = background, from=20 priests, doctors, lawyers, accountants and successful businessmen, = to=20 pensioners and the unemployed alike fall for what is now a clear = scam of=20 complex proportions? Our report, pieced from legal documents, the=20 Australian Securities and Investment Commission, individual = anecdotes and=20 personal experience, plus interviews with Suleman=99s = ex-employees, will be=20 the first in a series looking at a case which may take years to = finally=20 unravel totally.

In a state of affairs as sensitive as this, names of some = creditors and=20 ex-employees will be protected.

Nakosha=20 Magazine Editorial
Issue 47
Australia

In this issue: http://www.nakosha.org/
=B7 = AUA=20 - Meetings in Melbourne & Sydney
=B7 Karl Suleman = Enterprizes -=20 The Anatomy of a scam
=B7 Profiler - Johnny Michael
=B7 = Australian=20 election wrap-up
=B7 Caricature on Life - Which Assyrian = holidays do=20 you celebrate?
=B7 The Assyrians : At home in Jerusalem and = the holy=20 land since ancient times.
=B7 Sweet Science - Assyrian boxer = Samson=20 Bazi

Back to the=20 Future

(885=20 B.C.)

A tactic employed by ancient Assyrians to submit the = inhabitants of a=20 city was to gradually cut down their fruit trees. King = Tukulti-Ninurta,=20 for example, reports that he cut down the harvest of Musku's = orchards; in=20 866 B.C. Ashurnasirpal II cut down the orchards around Amidu = (today's=20 Amidya in Tur-Abdin), and in 851 BC King Shalmaneser cut down the = orchards=20 in the city of Gannanate in southern Bet-Nahrain = (Mesopotamia).

The=20 Destruction of Orchards in Assyrian Warfare, Steven Cole
[See = Assyria=20 1995: The Neo-Assyrian Text Corpus Project]

(1612 A.D.)

For the = first time=20 western Bible scholars use the name "Chaldean" in reference to the = Aramaic=20 language, although no historical basis supported their view.

Les=20 Communautes chretiennes du Bohtan, Annee Dominicaine (1885),=20 Galland

Calendar of=20 Events

Share your local events with = Zinda=20 readers. Email us or send fax to: =20 408-918-9201

=
Concert=20

=
Dance Party=20

=
Drama=20

=
Lecture/Seminar=20

=
Museum/Exhibits=20

=
February 16 =

CHICAGO=20
VALENTINE'S DAY=20 PARTY

Presented by the Assyrian Athletic Club of = Chicago=20
Entertainers: Ogin Shmule, Fatin Shabo = & the=20 Bandoleros Band=20

Tickets: $20.00 (in advance); $25.00 (at = the=20 door)=20

To purchase call: Ashour=20 Sarkis      773- 262-3210 =
          &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;   =20 Ninef Michael       = 847-486-1845=20
          &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;   =20 Hanny Baba        =20 773-465-9308
          &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;   =20 Samier Younan     773-973-0977 =

=
March 1 =

LONDON=20
UNIVERSITY OF LONDON LECTURE =

"King Nabonidus, Babylonian Politics, Royal = Philosophy=20 & the Darkened Moon"
by Prof. Piotr = Michalowski =20

5:00 PM
Lecture = Room, Warburg=20 Institute, Woburn Square.
Warburg = Institute=20 History of Scholarship seminar.
http://www.sas.ac.uk/warburg/
Contact Dr=20 Christopher Ligota 020 7862 8949

=
March 3 =

LOS ANGELES - = NORTH=20 HOLYWOOD
A SEMINAR FOR = ASSYRIAN=20 WOMEN

The Assyrian Ladies Bible Study Group of Los = Angeles=20 Presents:
"Blessed are you of the LORD, = my=20 daughter" (Ruth 3:10)=20

2:00 - 6:00 PM
St. = Paul Assyrian=20 Catholic Church
13050 Vanowen = Street=20
North Hollywood=20

Florence Eshagh-Sarkis of Bet-Eil Assyrian = Church in San=20 Jose will be the guest speaker at this seminar and will focus on = the Book=20 of Ruth and its practical applications for modern Assyrian = women. =20 (Absolutely No Children)

=
Wednesday =
March 6 =

TORONTO=20
CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR = SYRIAC=20 STUDIES LECTURE
La Societe Canadienne des Etudes = Syriaques=20

"Resafa-Sergiupolis: From A=20 Roman Desert Castle to A Christian Metropolis" =
Lecturer: Dr. Stephen = Westphalen,=20 Univeristy of Gottingen=20

University of = Toronto=20
St. George = Campus=20
8:00 PM=20

[Zinda Magazine is a proud Corporate = Sponsor of=20 CSSS.]

=
March 11-13 =

LONDON=20
THE NIMRUD CONFERENCE

Clore Education Centre, British = Museum. =20
Ticketed event.
Contact=20 Department of the Ancient Near East, British Museum =
London WC1B 3DG
email:=20 ancientneareast@thebritishmuseum.ac.uk
Fax: 020=20 7323 8489

=
Through =
March 17 =

LONDON=20
AGATHA CHRISTI & THE ORIENT =

Revealing Agatha Christie the archaeologist and = how her=20 discoveries in the Near East influenced her detective=20 writing. =20

The hitherto unknown interests and talents of the great crime = writer=20 are told through archaeological finds from the sites on which she = worked=20 with her husband Max Mallowan at Ur, Nineveh and Nimrud. Important = objects=20 from these sites in the Museum's collections are combined with = archives,=20 photographs, and films made by Agatha Christie herself. =20

Personal memorabilia and souvenirs of travel in a more = leisurely age=20 are only some of the exhibits which range from first editions of = those=20 novels inspired by her other life to a sleeping compartment from = the=20 Orient Express, from a lethal 1930s hypodermic syringe to a = priceless=20 first millennium ivory of a man being mauled to death =20

Admissions =A37, Concessions =A33.50=20

West Wing Exhibition Gallery Room 28 =

=
Sunday =
March 24 =

HOUSTON,=20 TEXAS
LECTURE AT THE = AMERICAN=20 ORIENTAL SOCIETY MEETING

212th American Oriental Society Annual = Meeting=20
"Religion and Historical Record: the Process = of=20 Forgetting Assyrian History"
by = Dr.=20 Eden Naby=20

The J. W. Marriott
5150=20 Westheimer Road=20

Visit the following website for further topics = in ancient=20 Assyrian & Near Eastern studies: =20 http://www.umich.edu/%7Eaos/2002/program2002.html =

=
April 15-19 =

PARIS=20
Third International Congress on the = Archaeology of=20 the Ancient Near East

3 ICAANE
Sponsored = by Universit=E9=20 de Paris 1
Panthon Sorbonne =
Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (UMR 7041)=20 and
the Ecole Pratique des Hautes = =C9tudes=20 (IVe section).=20

Purpose: To promote cooperation and information = exchange=20 between archaeologists working in the ancient Near East, from the = eastern=20 Medi-terranean to Iran and from Anatolia to Arabia, and from = prehistoric=20 times to Alexander the Great. =20

Contact: Victoria de Caste, Secretariat, =
http://www.3icaane.univ-paris= l.fr/=20
email: 3icaane@mae.u-paris10.fr =

=
Wednesday =
May 1 =

TORONTO=20
CANADIAN SOCIETY FOR = SYRIAC=20 STUDIES LECTURE
La Societe Canadienne des Etudes = Syriaques=20

"Bar-Hebraeus & His = Time: =20 The Syriac Renaissance & the Challenge of a New = Reality"=20
Lecturer: Prof. = Herman G.B.=20 Teule, University of Nijmegen=20

University of = Toronto=20
St. George = Campus=20
8:00 PM=20

[Zinda Magazine is a proud Corporate = Sponsor of=20 CSSS.]

=
May 10-11 =

MOSCOW=20
ASSYRIAN = INTERNATIONAL=20 CONFERENCE

The Editorial Board of "Melta" Bulletin and a = stirring=20 group of the Assyrians of Russia decided to hold an International=20 Scientific Conference "The Assyrians Today: Issues and = Perspectives". The=20 Conference will take place in Moscow on May 10 - 11, 2002.=20
The Conference program will highlight the = following=20 aspects:=20

- The issues of the Assyrians in the Middle = East.=20
- Assyrian Communities in Diaspora. =
- Perspectives of development.
- The way=20 to the rapprochement of the different tribal and confessional=20 groups.=20

[see Zinda Magazine's 14 January 2002 = issue]=20

February 28, 2002 - deadline for submission of = Abstracts=20 and Registration Forms.=20

Address: P.O.=20 Box 18, Moscow, 129642, Russia
Telephone: (7-095)-935-0155, -233-5387 = (S.Osipov); (7-095)-131-2575 (R.Bidjamov); = (7-095)-163-9418=20 (E.Badalov).=20

Telefax: =20 (7-095)-935-0155.
E-mail: =20 melta@aport2000.ru

=
May 21 =

LOS ANGELES - = NORTH=20 HOLYWOOD
AAA OF=20 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GENERAL MEETING

4:00 PM =
Assyrian Hall =
5901 Cahuenga Blvd. =
North = Hollywood =20

Meeting = Agenda:=20
-Report of the = activities since=20 installation
-Financial report
-Programs of the Executive Board for the remainder of = the=20 year

=
May 24-26 =

BETHESDA,=20 MARYLAND
THE=20 SOCIETY FOR IRANIAN STUDIES LECTURE

"Identity and = Institutions Among=20 Assyrian-Iranians in the United States"
An illustrated lecture by Dr. Eden = Naby-Frye
Harvard=20 University=20

An examination of the = patterns of=20 departure and arrival from Iran, the discovery of an expanded = Assyrian=20 identity in a milieu that began to include refugee Assyrians from = other=20 parts of the Middle East, tied by religion but not language, to = Iranian=20 Assyrians. =20

Due to special efforts = exerted over=20 the past twenty years at Harvard University and at the = Ashurbanipal=20 Library in Chicago, a record of printed materials and photographs = affords=20 an opportunity to study the issues facing the Assyrians from Iran = as they=20 settled in New York, New England, Chicago, and = California.=20

The conference will be held at the = Bethesda Hyatt=20 Regency. Arrangements have been made for reduced = rates. To=20 make hotel reservations, contact Hyatt Regency Hotel directly at=20 1-800-233-1234 or the conference site at the following = address:=20

Bethesda Hyatt Regency
One Bethesda Metro Center
Bethesda, MD 20814, USA
Phone (301) 657-1234
Fax (301)=20 657-6478

=
July 1-4, 2002 =

LEIDEN,=20 HOLLAND
48TH RENCONTRE=20 ASSYRIOLOGIQUE INTERNATIONALE
http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/rencontre/ =

"Ethnicity in Ancient Mesopotamia" =
Leiden University
Dept of = Assyriology=20 & Nederlands Instituut voor het Nabije Oosten=20

Registration Form: =20 http://www.let.leidenuniv.nl/rencontre/mailform.html =20
Registration Fee: Euro 70 by April 1, = 2002=20

=
Nov 23-26 =

WASHINGTON = D.C.=20
MIDDLE EAST STUDIES ASSOCIATION=20 CONFERENCE

Marriott Wardman Park Hotel
2660=20 Woodley Road, NW=20

202/328-2000 phone
800/228-9290=20 toll free
202/234-0015 fax=20

http://w3fp.arizona.edu/mesassoc/MESA02/02hotel.htm=20

Thank=20 You!

Zindamagazine would like to = thank:

Association des Assyro-Chald=E9ens de=20 France

= SHARE YOUR INFORMATION WITH READERS IN = 55 COUNTRIES=20 BY INCLUDING ZINDA MAGAZINE IN YOUR COMMUNITY OR ORGANIZATION'S MAILING = LIST.=20 DISTRIBUTE FREELY.

ZINDA Magazine is published = weekly. =20 Views expressed in ZINDA do not necessarily represent those of the = ZINDA=20 editors, or any of our associated staff. This publication reserves the = right, at=20 its sole discretion, not to publish comments or articles previously = printed in=20 or submitted to other journals. ZINDA reserves the right to = publish and=20 republish your submission in any form or medium. All letters and=20 messages require the name(s) of sender and/or author. All = messages=20 published in the SURFS UP! section must be in 500 words or less and bear = the=20 name of the author(s). Distribution of material = featured in=20 ZINDA is not restricted, but permission from ZINDA is required. This = service is=20 meant for the exchange of information, analyses and news. To = subscribe,=20 send e-mail to: z_info@zindamagazine.com.=20

GEORGE BIT-ATANOUSThe Man Behind the Assyrian=20 Flag

INTERNATIONAL ASSYRIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN = MOSCOWMay 10=20 - 11, 2002

(885=20 B.C.)

GEORGE BIT-ATANOUS
The Man Behind the Assyrian=20 Flag

INTERNATIONAL ASSYRIAN SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE IN = MOSCOW
May 10=20 - 11, 2002