April 14, 2003

The Lighthouse=20

ASSYRIANS AND = TOMORROW=92S=20 IRAQ

The time is coming for the birth of a new, democratic Iraq = which offers=20 freedom and equal rights to all its citizens. Assyrians, as Iraqi = citizens=20 must take advantage of these new rights and work to preserve their = existence in the future Iraq.

Our professionals and our academics must ready themselves to = return to=20 Iraq and aid in the rebuilding of the country. We must be well = represented=20 in Iraq=92s professional and academic scene. Our doctors, lawyers, = nurses,=20 engineers, artists, musicians, archaeologists, historians, = sociologists,=20 politicians, journalists, anthropologists, and many more, should = aim to go=20 to Iraq and be part of the country=92s rebirth.

Our people in the diaspora should aim to gradually return to = the=20 homeland and begin new lives in a country, which recognises their=20 fundamental rights as Assyrian Christians and Iraqi citizens. = Focus should=20 be made on a certain part of the country and we should then work = to build=20 up our demographics there through resettlement, so that we can = become a=20 majority in that area.

But this will not be easy and any thoughts of Assyrian = resettlement in=20 Iraq, especially the north, are very hard to put into practice. We = do not=20 ask for an armed struggle or a separate country. All we would like = is to=20 re-establish Assyrians in a part of their ancestral lands. First = there=20 must be stable jobs and our villages must become much better=20 developed.

JOBS

Assyrians in Iraq need jobs. They need a stable income and a=20 comfortable lifestyle. Employment opportunities can be created for = them=20 with the help of Assyrians in the diaspora. Assyrian companies can = contribute greatly to the lives of Assyrians in Iraq and the = wealth of the=20 country.

=B7 Agriculture

The lives of many Assyrians in northern Iraq depend on = agriculture and=20 animal husbandry. Our villagers cultivate wheat, barley, apples, = peaches,=20 pears, walnuts, grapes, and other fruits and vegetables, and keep = cattle,=20 sheep and chickens. This job must be made easier and more = profitable for=20 our people. They need irrigation projects, new tractors and more = high-tech=20 equipment.

Maybe an international Assyrian company and national co-ops can = be=20 established to buy Assyrian products at a good price and sell them = on the=20 Iraqi and international markets for a profit that can be used to = create=20 more jobs and buy back more land to cultivate. Our diaspora = communities=20 are ideal in establishing worldwide branches.

Maybe later, collective farms (like Israeli kibbutzim) can be=20 established where groups of young Assyrians from the diaspora can = spend=20 time working the land and learning about the lifestyle in the = homeland =96=20 and building a spiritual bond with it.

=B7 Shops

Diaspora Assyrians that have the ability can establish chains = of stores=20 or supermarkets inside Iraq. For example, Assyrians are the only = one=92s in=20 Iraq that own liquor stores. Maybe these businesses can be = expanded and=20 improved, as well as other businesses set up. More importantly, = shops can=20 be set up in places where they will be heavily depended on and can = surely=20 make a lot of money.

=B7 Tourism

Assyrians in the future Iraq must also work hand in hand with = the=20 tourism ministry to cash-in on the tourist industry. There are = Assyrian=20 villages situated in some of the most beautiful parts of northern = Iraq =96=20 this can be channelled into nature tourism. The ancient churches = and=20 monasteries in Iraq can be part of faith tourism. The ancient = Mesopotamian=20 sites and modern Assyrian villages can contribute to culture = tourism.

With the investments and contributions of certain Assyrian=20 businesspeople in the diaspora they can build a network of hotels, = restaurants, bars, nightclubs, tourist villages, casinos, camping = grounds,=20 skiing facilities, etc. All of these can work in co-operation with = one=20 another and support each other=92s business.

Assyrians can also establish tour companies, and go into the=20 transportation industry as well. Just like the Izla bus company in = Syria,=20 Assyrians in Iraq can also establish a network of busses and = minibuses=20 between provincial centres and smaller towns. Just like the = Nineveh taxi=20 service in Urmia (Iran), Assyrians can have a taxi service in = different=20 cities in Iraq.

BRINGING THE CITY TO THE VILLAGE

Our villages must be resettled and life must be made more = comfortable=20 for those living in them. The government must provide all Assyrian = villages with electricity, running water and sealed roads. There = must be=20 houses with all modern conveniences, shops, medical centres and = doctors,=20 Syriac schools and libraries, internet-cafes, community halls and = cultural=20 clubs, sporting facilities and churches, etc. We must concentrate = on how=20 we can bring the city to our villages, rather than helping our = people=20 leave their villages for the cities.

Even in the cities, diapsora Assyrians can buy blocks of flats. = The=20 flats can be rented at a cheaper price for local Assyrians. It = will=20 provide Assyrians with affordable homes and will also provide an = income=20 for future projects.

Many villages, etc. that have been stolen by Kurds and other = groups can=20 be reclaimed through international courts, developed and = resettled. Other=20 lands that have been sold can be bought back and the squatters on = them=20 evicted. It would be preferable to Assyrians in the future not to = sell=20 their lands to non-Assyrians.

MEDIA

In a future Iraq, Assyrians must utilise all forms of media. = They must=20 have TV and Radio stations as they already do in northern Iraq, = maybe even=20 an Iraq-based satellite station. There must be nationwide Assyrian = newspapers and magazines in Syriac, Arabic and even English if = possible.=20 Assyrians must have internet websites and establish printing = houses. They=20 must excel in the arts, establishing national folkloric groups = (music,=20 dance and drama, etc.), art galleries, and theatres. They should = also=20 begin an Assyrian film and movie industry. This all will encourage = more=20 and more Assyrians to maintain their unique and ancient language, = and will=20 serve as a means of information and organisation for the wider = Assyrian=20 community in Iraq and abroad.

CONCLUSION

Many people will think that such ideas are fanciful, but with = the will=20 of able Assyrians all this and more can be achieved. It is the = strong=20 nations, who stand together and decide their own future, that = survive.=20 Assyrians must not take a future democracy in Iraq for granted. = They must=20 appreciate it for everything it=92s worth and use it as a = stepping-stone=20 towards greater cultural advancement and the benefit of the nation = as a=20 whole.

Nicholas Al-Jeelo
Australia

GOOD MORNING=20 BET-NAHRAIN

ASSYRIAN DELEGATION ATTENDS THE = MEETING IN=20 NASIRIYA

(ZNDA: Washington) Mr. Ishmail Nanno, a representative of the = Assyrian=20 Democratic Movement (Zowaa), arrived from Arbil to the meeting for = Iraqi=20 Opposition Groups convened in the southern city of Nasiriya on = Tuesday to=20 discuss the future of Iraq and the transitional government that = will run=20 the country.

The ADM sources have informed Zinda Magazine that the = leadership of the=20 central committee may be joining the representative on Wednesday = evening.=20 A statement from the meeting is expected on Wednesday.

The US delegation was headed by Zalmay Khalilzad, the White = Houses=20 envoy. A statement adopted at the meeting stated that a future = Iraqi=20 government must be democratic and based on the rule of law and = that=20 Saddam's Baath party must be dissolved.

In the mean time a meeting in Kirkuk was called for to = establish a=20 temporary city council for that city. Sources to Zinda Magazine = indicate=20 that the council will comprise of 24 members, representing Arabs, = Kurds,=20 Turkomen and Assyrians, with six representatives from each group. =

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS IN NORTH=20 IRAQ

(ZNDA: Arbil) Last week at a town hall meeting in Alqosh, Mr. = Narsai=20 Warda, a member of ADM Political Bureau, congratulated the = Assyrian people=20 for the liberation of the town and addressed the unity of the = Assyrian=20 Chaldean people. He emphasized unity, forgiveness, and repudiated = revenge=20 from those who under certain circumstances were part of the fallen = regime.=20 A team from the Assyrian Democratic Movement established the first = radio=20 station in Arabic and Assyrian to broadcast to all of Alqosh, = Sharafiya,=20 Tellasqif, Baqoofa, Telkaif, Jambor, Karamles, Bakhdidi, Bartilla = and the=20 vicinity.

Other liberated cities and villages include Kirkuk, Almas, = Arrapha, and=20 Rahinm Awa. In the Mosul plains, the village of Tellasqif was = liberated=20 during the liberation of Mosul.

A medical group from the = Assyrian=20 Aid Society visited Alqosh and Sharafiya and provided medicine and = medical=20 necessities. Additionally, a group distributed rations to = emigrants who=20 have moved to these two towns. Sharafiya residents embelished = their=20 balconies with color purple to welcome the ADM's freedom fighters. =

Kirkuk witnessed the same chaotic situation as Mosul, but the = coalition=20 forces quickly organized a meeting between certain political = notables of=20 the city's Arab, Kurd, Assyrian, and Turkoman population to bring = security=20 to town and secure transportation, water, and electricity.

In Mosul plain, the villages of Bartilla, Karamles, Baghdidi, = Ba'shiqa,=20 and Bahzani were secured by the coalition forces backed by the = Peshmarga=20 and elements of the Assyrian freedom fighters of Zowaa. = Additionally,=20 detachments of the coalition forces accompanied by Assyrian = freedom=20 fighters from ADM advanced toward Tellesqif, Baqoofa, Batnaya and = Telkaif=20 to secure and stabilize these localities.

On 12 April the Assyrian Democratic Movement members celebrated = the=20 24th anniversary of their political group=92s founding in Iraq. =

NINEVEH'S POPULATION SWELLS WITH = FLEEING=20 HOMELESS

(ZNDA: Baghdad) More than 10,000 internally displaced = Christians have=20 taken shelter from the war in Iraq at Nineveh in the north, near = Mosul,=20 according to local Church sources.

The city's population of 25,000 has grown with the war = refugees, and=20 the humanitarian situation is worsening.

The city authorities in Nineveh, whose population is mostly = Christian,=20 have only small stocks of food and medicine. The local people are = trying=20 to collect food and other emergency goods for the new = arrivals.

News = Digest

DR. KATRIN MICHAEL SAYS = IRAQIS MUST=20 CHOOSE OWN LEADERS

Courtesy of Cybercast News Service (9 = April); by=20 Jeff Johnson

(ZNDA: Washington) Leaders of the Iraqi opposition to Saddam = Hussein=20 said Tuesday that two conditions are essential for the success of=20 democracy in Iraq: No one from Hussein's government or military = can be=20 involved, and the Iraqi people must eventually choose their own=20 leaders.

Dr. Katrin Michael, an Iraqi Chaldean Christian and member of = the group=20 Women for a Free Iraq, suffered eye, lung and nerve damage from a = chemical=20 weapons attack by the Iraqi Army on Iraqi Kurds in 1987. She wants = Saddam=20 Hussein gone but is also concerned that the future Iraqi = government not be=20 dominated by Islamic fundamentalists like those of its = neighbors.

"As a minority in Iraq, I think the single biggest threat, = post-Saddam,=20 is going to be Islamic fundamentalists," she warned. "American = assistance=20 forces must be sure to secure the minority's rights in the process = of=20 reconstruction and especially in writing a new constitution."

President George W. Bush met with British Prime Minister Tony = Blair=20 Tuesday to discuss what part the U.N. would play in the rebuilding = of=20 Iraq. Santorum believes that, while the U.N. should have a = supporting role=20 in humanitarian efforts, the coalition that freed Iraq should have = the=20 final say over military and political matters.

BELGIAN MINISTER SHOWS SOLIDARITY WITH = ASSYRIANS

(ZNDA: Belgium) On Monday, 31 March, the Belgium city of = Luvanne=20 Lannove witnessed a reception party commemorating the Assyrian New = Year=20 6753. In attendence were Mr. Andra Vlaho, Belgium Defence = Minister; Mrs.=20 Mary Joza Lalwa, Member of Belgium Senate; and the delegates from = the=20 Belgium Socialist Party.

The official speaker of the Assyrian Democratic Organization = (ADO) and=20 its representative in Belgium, began the event by welcoming the = guests. He=20 gave a brief description about the Assyrian people and the = Assyrian=20 community in Belgium. Then he talked about the dangerous situation = in the=20 Midle East and the tragedies experienced by the Iraqi people with = all=20 their ethnic groups especially the Assyrians. He added that the = Assyria=20 existence as an original ethnic group and Christian minority is = threatened=20 under Saddams' regime hammer, war's anvil, and the plans for = future Iraq.=20 The ADO speaker ended his speech by praising the courageous stand = of the=20 Belgium government that supported the international legitimacy in = handing=20 the Iraqi crisis, protesting war, and its humanetarian initiatives = done=20 today to suport the Iraqi people. The gathering stood one minute = in=20 silence in support of the Iraqi people. Then, the official speaker = of the=20 ADO presented his excellency the minister a copy of Prof. Joseph = Yacoub=20 book "Threats Against Iraqi Christians" published recently.

The Belgian Defense Minister made a statement in which he = openly=20 explained the reasons for conflict and disparity in NATO in = regards to the=20 Iraqi crisis. He emphasized on the Belgium=92s position on the = exhaustion of=20 all possible peaceful and diplomatic means and to refer to the = Security=20 Council to ending the war and rebuilding of Iraq.

Mrs. Lalwa spoke about Belgium' Socialist Party=92s political = stand which=20 supports and endorses the struggle of nations and ethnic groups to = obtain=20 freedom, democracy, and human rights. She added: "I am with all = oppressed=20 people and I do not believe that there exist any regime in the = world that=20 has the right to impose its control and domination by force on = other=20 people ... your people's case has attracted my attention and I am = ready to=20 support it."

At the conclusion of the speeches, a bouquet of flowers was = presented=20 to his excellency the minister and a red rose to Mrs. Lalwa in the = name of=20 the Assyrian chidren of Iraq.

On Sunday, 6 April, "The Voice of Assyrians" radio broadcast an = interview conducted with the Belgian Minister of Defense and Mrs.=20 Lalwa.

The presence and participation of Mr. Andra Vlaho, Mrs. Mary = Joza=20 Lalwa, and the accompanying delegates in the first of April 6753 = continued=20 late into the night. The Minister stated: "My message to you in=20 commemoration of the Assyrian New Year is that I wish the Assyrian = nation=20 will regain peace, tranquility, and prosperity and happiness for = all her=20 people and loved ones."

CHURCH OF THE EAST CONTRIBUTES IN = SUPPORT OF=20 RESERVISTS' FAMILIES

Courtesy of the Mercury News (15 April); = by Rodney=20 Foo

(ZNDA: San Jose) San Jose Mayor Ron Gonzales encouraged the = city of San=20 Jose, California on Monday to lend a financial hand to families of = reservists serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

At a news conference at the Army National Guard's headquarters = on=20 Hedding Street, Gonzales and a host of community and business = leaders=20 announced a partnership of businesses, unions, the military, and = various=20 organizations that will generate support for reservists' families = who may=20 need help financially or otherwise.

Gonzales asked companies and citizens to sponsor discounts or = provide=20 donations to the families. The Church of the East in San Jose = pledged=20 $5,000.

[Z-info:=20 To listen to Mar Bawai Soro=92s recent interview with the Vatican = Radio=20 click here: 04_14_ohzone=20 ]

To=20 download RealPlayer, click=20 here.

ASSYRIAN PRIEST FOUGHT FOR SADDAM = =96 NOW=20 ROOTS FOR AMERICA

Courtesy of the National Catholic = Register (6-12=20 April), by Andrew Walther

(ZNDA: North Hollywood) Like many Iraqis living in the United = States,=20 Father Noel Gorgis is following the war in his homeland with = special=20 interest.

And he is watching it from a very different vantage point than = the last=20 time the United States fought Iraq.

Father Gorgis, a priest at St. Paul Assyrian Chaldean Catholic = Church=20 in North Hollywood, had to serve with the Iraqi army in the 1991 = Gulf=20 War.

He was stationed at the H3 airfield, the suspected Scud = headquarters in=20 western Iraq that allied special forces seized in the early hours = of the=20 war to expel Iraq from Kuwait. Though he was a priest, he was = given no=20 special status in the Iraqi army.

"The Iraqi army has no chaplains; I was a regular soldier," = Father=20 Gorgis said. He endured air bombardments and, as the war = continued, he=20 fled to Turkey. From there he made his way to the United States in = 1992.

Like many Iraqis living in the United States - Christian and = Muslim=20 alike - Father Gorgis sees the current war as an opportunity for=20 improvement in his country, an opportunity the American government = has=20 vowed to see through to the end.

"Most people here are looking for change in Iraq," Father = Gorgis said=20 of his parishioners who are almost all of Iraqi origin. = "Ninety-nine=20 percent don't like Saddam."

He believes Iraqis back home want change, too, though they = cannot voice=20 their feelings for fear of the current regime's henchmen. Iraqis = "don't=20 like Saddam, except in Tikrit," the town where the dictator was = born, he=20 said.
Reports from Iraq indicate Saddam's Baath party is = forcing men to=20 fight by holding their families hostage, but "if they had their = choice,"=20 Father Gorgis said, the Iraqis "would rise up" all over the = country.

So great is the fear of Saddam's security apparatus that even = Iraqis=20 here in the United States are unwilling to speak out for fear of = reprisals=20 against their families, according to Father Gorgis.

"Last night I talked to my sister in Baghdad," he said March = 27, "but I=20 cannot say 'wait for freedom' because she might be harmed." He = said his=20 sister was leaving Baghdad for the relative safety of the north = ahead of=20 the ground assault on the city.

Father Gorgis said Christians still in Iraq have real = concerns.

"[Iraqi] Christians are afraid from the bombing, the embargo = and their=20 Muslim neighbors," he said.

Don't Repeat '91

Because among Muslims "there is much hostility to Christians," = Father=20 Gorgis said he hopes "the Americans will stay longer" than in 1991 = and a=20 government is established that will ensure Christians can live in=20 peace.

A senior Bush administration official, who wished to remain = anonymous,=20 confirmed that President Bush and many in government do indeed = intend to=20 stay long enough to make things work.

The administration's strategy is to "identify moderate Muslims = who can=20 speak for the heart of Islam," to help them promote a message "of=20 tolerance and peace" and to "amplify their voices," the official=20 explained.

The moderates, he said, have been squelched between their own=20 governments and Islamic extremists.

Christians make up only about 3% of Iraq's population. They = include=20 Assyrians, an Orthodox Church, but the majority of Christians are = Chaldean=20 Catholics, who left the Assyrian Church to come into communion = with Rome=20 450 years ago.

As many as 250,000 Iraqi Christians now live in the United = States.

Bishop Bawai Soro of the western diocese of the Assyrian Church = of the=20 East was born in Kirkuk, Iraq, and educated in Baghdad before = emigrating.=20 He came to the United States in 1976 and lives in San Jose, = Calif.

Like Father Gorgis, he looked with hope to a post-Saddam Iraq. = He said=20 Assyrian Christians, even more than Chaldeans, have been=20 "Western-oriented" since World War I, when they helped the British = drive=20 out the Turks and form the state of Iraq.

Mideast Model?

"The time is right to transform global politics in the Middle = East,"=20 Bishop Soro said, adding that he believes Iraq is the perfect = place to=20 start that transformation.

Once the initial anger about casualties wears off, people will = welcome=20 the Americans as liberators, the bishop predicted.

He is heartened by the resolve of the Bush administration to = create a=20 free Iraq.
"The wisdom of the administration is providential = [because]=20 everybody in the Arab world looks at Iraq as the model," he = said.

According to Bishop Soro, Iraq is looked up to because it has = the best=20 combination of advantages of any Middle Eastern country: It is = wealthy,=20 well educated and business savvy, he said. Its riches include not = only oil=20 but also its agriculture, minerals and well-educated people.

"It is shocking to see Iraq sunk to [its current] level," he = said=20 sadly.

The bishop explained that many Iraqis are angry at Saddam = because of=20 the political repression and the fact that his government has gone = about a=20 program of "Arabization" in which the other cultures in Iraq - = Assyrian,=20 Turkish and Kurd - are ruthlessly suppressed.

The persecution, he said, is not so much religious as it is = cultural=20 and political.

Entifadh Qanbar, a Muslim who is the Washington representative = of the=20 Iraqi National Congress, an expatriate opposition group that hopes = to be=20 at the forefront of the political restructuring of Iraq, said his = vision=20 of Iraq is one of religious freedom and democracy.

Though some have praised Saddam for not persecuting Christians = outright=20 for their faith, Qanbar insisted a new regime "will be more = tolerant: It=20 will be democratic."

Even the prosecution of the war itself gives Bishop Soro = hope.
After=20 "being abused by [Saddam] for 35 years and before that 10 years of = coups,"=20 the people of Iraq are conditioned to accept force, he said.

The way you change that "is through love," Bishop Soro said, = and the=20 way the war - which he characterized as "a charitable war" - is = being=20 fought, "accepting surrenders, avoiding civilian casualties," will = go a=20 long way toward healing the citizens of Iraq.

And while the politicians and military commanders make their = plans,=20 Father Gorgis said he wants people to remember to take part in = that which=20 brings the greatest hope of all: prayer.

"Prayer," he said, "is our most powerful weapon for peace and=20 justice."

[Z-info:=20 Andrew Walther writes from Los Angeles.]

PROF KAMBER: IRAQI EXILE HOPEFUL FOR = HIS=20 NATION'S FUTURE

Courtesy of the Kalamazoo Gazette (5 = April); Tom=20 Minehart

(ZNDA: Kalamazoo) Iraq could become a "catalyst for peace, = democracy=20 and prosperity" throughout the Middle East not long after Saddam = Hussein=20 is toppled, says an Iraqi exile in Kalamazoo who could become part = of a=20 postwar Iraqi government.

"That's what we are hoping," said Emanuel Kamber, a professor = of=20 physics at Western Michigan University. "Iraqis deserve a better=20 government, a pluralistic, parliamentarian government that = guarantees=20 human rights for all citizens irrespective of ethnic background or = religion."

Kamber is a member of the London-based Iraqi National Congress, = an=20 assembly of 500 Iraqis representing various ethnic and religious = groups of=20 Iraq. He is deputy chairman of the 65-member INC Council, which = serves as=20 a liaison between the assembly members and a seven-person INC = leadership=20 council headed up by Iraqi opposition leader Ahmed Chalabi.

Chalabi is backed by the U.S. Defense Department, but State = Department=20 officials say most Iraqis do not support him.
Some = Arab-Americans=20 contend that democracy will not take root in Iraq or elsewhere in = the=20 Middle East anytime soon because Arabs are too individualistic. = But Kamber=20 said, "That's not true.

"We have to think Iraq will be a catalyst for peace, democracy = and=20 prosperity," he said. "If we think Iraq will be a disaster after = Saddam=20 Hussein, then why would we be working all these years to get rid = of him?"=20
Kamber said the 4 million Iraqis who have left Iraq in the 35 = years=20 since Saddam was named vice president of Iraq (he succeeded = President=20 Al-Bakr in July 1979) have been absorbing Western ideals of = democracy,=20 human rights and the rule of law.

"Even if we assume only 50 percent of these people go back to = Iraq to=20 help the process of democracy ... that will help the process," he = said.=20

Democratization will require time and struggle, he said, noting = that=20 the United States did not achieve democracy until well after the = Civil=20 War. "We hope it will be a peaceful process after what we call the = liberation," he said.

Kamber said his meetings last month with U.S. officials = convinced him=20 that Americans sincerely want Iraq to be liberated. And he said = American=20 help will be needed for some time.

"It's very important for the Americans to be there until Iraq = can=20 establish a democratic government and conduct its own affairs," he = said.=20

Kamber is Christian and an Assyrian, an Iraqi ethnic group also = known=20 as Chaldeans or Syriacs. More than 75 percent of Iraq's 24 million = people=20 are Arab, more than 15 percent are Kurdish and 5 percent are = Assyrian,=20 Turkoman or another ethnic group, according to the CIA World = Factbook=20 2002. More than 60 percent are Shiite Muslim, more than 32 percent = are=20 Sunni Muslim and 3 percent are Christian or another religion. =
Iraq's=20 future government may require a loose federal system to deal with = that=20 diversity, Kamber said. For example, the Kurds may end up running = their=20 own affairs in northern Iraq, while members of the Iraqi royal = family may=20 be invited back from exile to lead a central government, he said. =

Rumsfeld has proposed to President Bush that an interim Iraqi = authority=20 composed of exiled leaders be quickly installed in the southern = part of=20 the country now largely under U.S. control, the Washington Post = reported=20 Friday.
Kamber said Iraqis should choose their own government. =

"The future political system is the sole responsibility of the = Iraqi=20 people," he said. "As long as it is a constitutional country that=20 recognizes the rights of all minorities."

Kamber has worked with the Iraqi opposition for many years, but = he was=20 never a political prisoner. He left Iraq in 1979 and worked in = London and=20 Kansas before he came to WMU in 1989.

KAMBER: PROFESSOR AIDS RECONSTRUCTION = OF IRAQI=20 GOVERNMENT

Courtesy of Western Herald (9 April); = Heather=20 McLain

(ZNDA: Kalamazoo) One Iraqi-born Western Michigan University = professor=20 and member of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) is collaborating = with=20 members of the Bush administration to plan for a new Iraqi = government, as=20 American forces work to tear down Saddam Hussein's regime.

Emanuel Kamber, WMU physics professor, said the Bush = administration=20 would like to have a unified, democratic and sectarian government = in Iraq.=20 He has been helping the U.S. government plan for rebuilding Iraq = since=20 June 2002.

Kamber is involved with the "Future of Iraq Project" and was = part of a=20 group that met with Vice President Dick Cheney, National Security = Adviser=20 Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on March = 6 at=20 the White House in Washington, D.C.

Kamber said the group wanted to ensure that coalition forces = would=20 minimize civilian casualties and avoid causing excessive damage to = the=20 country's infrastructure. However, he said he strongly supports = the war=20 effort as an attempt to liberate the Iraqi people from Saddam = Hussein.=20

"Americans are there to build a better Iraq," Kamber said.

Kamber has been involved in efforts to free Iraq for years. He = left the=20 country in 1979 to complete his master's degree and Ph.D. in the = United=20 Kingdom, and came to the United States in 1985. Before leaving = Iraq, he=20 was involved in underground efforts by students and academics to = spread=20 democracy to the Iraqi people.

Kamber is the deputy chair of the central council of the INC, = which=20 last met in July of 2000. He said he is frequently in touch with = members=20 of the group, and that the leader of the INC is currently in = Nasaria=20 working with Iraqi freedom fighters. He estimated that there are = currently=20 700 to 1,000 free Iraqis joining American forces fighting Hussein = in Iraq.=20 Recently the INC has been talking to Iraqi citizens about how a=20 transitional or interim government may work once the war is over, = he said.=20 The question of who will lead the new government is still under=20 discussion.

"We would like to see a transitional government for a short = time,"=20 Kamber said, estimating that this might last between six months = and two=20 years. Although he said it is uncertain exactly what this = government will=20 look like, he said he expects U.S. involvement until Iraq = establishes a=20 stable government.

Kamber said Iraqis should first work on building a civil = society based=20 on the principles of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. = He hopes=20 Iraq will eventually build a government that holds democratic = elections.=20 He added that Iraqis will eventually need to write a new = constitution.=20

Once the war is over, Kamber said he plans to participate in = the=20 process of rebuilding Iraq, perhaps in an advisory position. He = said that=20 unlike countries such as Afghanistan, Iraq has many things in its = favor=20 when it comes to rebuilding. There are many universities in Iraq, = the=20 population is well educated and the country has a good = infrastructure to=20 build from, he said.

Iraqi-born people all over the world will want to be involved = in the=20 rebuilding process once the war is over, Kamber said. There are = already=20 Iraqi professionals in neighboring Jordan who plan to go to Basra, = and=20 many human rights groups want to participate as well, he said. "We = hope=20 this government will be multi-ethnic and based on rule of law," = Kamber=20 said.

Kamber, an Assyrian Christian -- an Iraqi ethnic group that he = said=20 comprises 7-8 percent of the Iraqi population -- is hopeful that = the=20 future of Iraq is looking up. Iraq is rich in culture, and before = Hussein=20 took power the country's diverse religious and ethnic population = thrived,=20 he said.

"Iraqis have been working together and living in peace for = centuries,"=20 he said.

Surfs Up!
Letters From = Zinda=20 Magazine = Readers

CASHING ON = EGO

I read in the news that Mr. Sargon = Dadesho was=20 awarded 2.4 million dollars from the confiscated assets of the = Iraqi=20 government. Now, what is going to happen to this money? Mr. = Dadesho,=20 who calls himself an Assyrian nationalist, has never played a=20 constructive role in Assyrian national affairs. Based on his = past=20 record, I doubt that the money awarded to Mr. Dadesho will be = used for=20 the benefit of the Assyrian people. Instead, as has been the = case all=20 along, I predict that Mr. Dadesho will use the money to pad = his ego=20 and prop up his cronies. As Mr. Peter Esho stated in last = week's=20 issue, the ball is now in Mr. Dadesho's court. I would love to = see my=20 prediction proved wrong.

Samuel Saro
New = York

BOOKS ON ASSYRIANS IN = ITALIAN

I just got through reading your = article =93AN=20 ASSYRIAN IN FLORENCE=94 in the Literatus section. What sparked = my=20 interest was the following line: =93I know there are no = Italian books on=20 the Assyrians=94 I was in Florence last May and as usual a = used book=20 store, very closer to the world renowned Domo, caught my = attention. I=20 walked in and after wondering around for a few minutes, I = finally=20 asked the gentleman behind the counter if they had any books = on the=20 Assyrians. He walked to a section and pulled out 3 books, of = which=20 only one was all about the Assyrians. The book is all in = Italian,=20 which I can not read, and it was printed in 1980. Here are the = information on that book which might be interesting for both = Mr. Sami=20 Chichan and Mr. Alessandro Michelucci. SOPRINTENDENZA = ARCHEOLOGICA DI=20 ROMA GLI ASSIRI La scultura dal regno di Ashurnasirpal II al = regno di=20 Assurbanipal (883-631 a.C.) a cura dell' . ISTITUTO PER = L'ORIENTE,=20 CENTRO PER LE ANTICHITA E LA STORIA DELL' ARTE DEL VICINO = ORIENTE=20 fotografie di AMLETO LORENZINI Foro Romano - Curia marza . = aprile 1980=20 DE LUCA EDITORE

Sargon = Tavour
California

LIBERATION OF IRAQ FROM SADDAM = & THE=20 BAATH BY THE AMERICANS

The question for the indigenous = Assyrian people=20 of present day Iraq is, who will liberate their ancestral land = from=20 the numerous invaders that have occupied their homeland for = almost 600=20 years?

The Kurds occupy the Northern part of Assyrian land and the = Arabs=20 the southern part.

Americans and their Allies did liberate Iraq, but from whom = and to=20 whom?

Iraq is being liberated from the iron fist of the likes of = Saddam.=20 However, what about the liberation of the indigenous Assyrian=20 population of present day Iraq? The people whom have been = subjected to=20 centuries of inhumane treatment by the same so called = liberated people=20 from the grips of Saddam?

The Assyrian people and nation with over 7000 years of a = glorious=20 and continuous history and as the founding fathers of our = present day=20 western civilization have been forced into leaving their own = ancestral=20 land, due to years of oppression, massacres, land = confiscation,=20 religious persecution and untold atrocities committed against = them by=20 the same people whom are pleading for liberation today. = America and=20 all the coalition forces. What about the rights of this = blessed nation=20 with its long and glorious history that laid the foundation of = your so=20 called civilization? Do the Assyrian people feel liberated? = Have they=20 been given assurance that now they can live as free and equal = in their=20 own land with all the invaders to this blessed land of their=20 forefathers?

David Oraha
Canada

DEAR PRESIDENT BUSH: RE LOOTING AT = THE=20 MUSEUM IN BAGHDAD

The Honorable George W. Bush
President of the United=20 States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania = Avenue
Washington,=20 D.C. 20500

Dear President Bush:

We the Assyrian community in San Diego are writing to = express our=20 concern over the looting incident at the National Museum in = Baghdad.=20 As we are well aware, the Museum housed ancient artificats = that date=20 back to 7000 B.C and are the only reminder and evidence of our = forefathers contribution to the world civilization, as well as = a=20 resource to where ancient Assyrian/Babylonian civilization can = be=20 studied.

As a distinct ethnic group, the Assyrians were persecuted = in Iraq=20 by Saddam=92s regime. The only recognized ethinc groups were = Arabs and=20 Kurds, and the rest, including the Assyrian-Christians were = classified=20 as Arabs. This Muesum is one of many links to our past and=20 unfortuanley this link was stolen and destroyed by Iraqi = looters.

Dear Mr. President, as Assyrian-Americans we held regular = rallies=20 in support of our troops. We thank you for liberating Iraq and = the=20 Assyrian people from the tyrannic regime that ruled Baghdad = for the=20 past 30 years. We will not forget your contribution to the = Assyrian=20 people and we hope that we will have you for another term so = you can=20 finish what you started.

Please secure our heritage by locating the looters and = finding the=20 priceless artificats. The artificats contain a wealth of = information=20 for world to see and study.

Sincerely,

Peter = Oraha
President
Assyrian-American=20 Association of San Diego

ASSYRIANS IN CANADA RALLY FOR = MILITARY=20 ACTION IN IRAQ

Assyrian Canadians and a great number = of=20 students from around the Greater Toronto Area gathered in good = numbers=20 to rally in support of the coalition forces Sunday April 13 = infront of=20 the US Embassy. The organizers of the event were local Toronto = Assyrians Ninos Al-Bazi, Warda Warda, and Ramsin Shleemon who=20 coordinated the event with respect to media coverage, police=20 notifications among other matters.

Among the vast array of Assyrian flags stood a number of = American,=20 Canadian, and Iraqi flags. Along with their chants of support = for the=20 USA, Assyrians voiced their concerns regarding many issues = facing the=20 people of Iraq and more specifically the Assyrian culture. = =93USA, Save=20 Assyrian History!=94 was one of the chants heard within the = crowds. This=20 ofcourse was in regard to the recent looting and destruction = of the=20 ancient relics in Baghdad Museum and the disappearance of = thousands of=20 years of Iraqi and more specifically Assyrian and Babylonian = history=20 in the form of artifacts and antiquities.

Within the crowds gathered at the demonstration, a number = of=20 distinguished Assyrians made a presence. Assyrian singer Ramis = Bet-Shmoel a member and supporter of the Assyrian Democratic = Movement=20 was present to pledge his support for the toppling of the = Iraqi regime=20 by the coalition forces.

Alongside Ramis was the executive of the Assyrian Cultural=20 Association of Canada, Nineb Toma who recorded the event for = it to be=20 viewed at the following website: http://www.nohra.= ca/magazine/student_rally.htm=20 He stated that the rally was put together by Assyrians from = Toronto to=20 show the US their appreciation for the sacrifices made by = coalition=20 soldiers in order to establish a free and democratic Iraq.

The student presence at the rally was also worth = mentioning.=20 Members of the Assyrian Canadian Students Union of Canada, = made their=20 presence felt holding Assyrian flags and signs displaying = =93Free=20 Democratic Iraq=94 while cars honked in support of the rally = as they=20 drove by the scene.

Media coverage was definitely something the organizers of = the rally=20 were hoping for in order to achieve acknowledgement and = recognition of=20 the Assyrian cause in Iraq. One could witness several = interviews of=20 certain participants of the rally which in turn were aired on = national=20 Canadian television stations across Ontario.

An elder Assyrian woman gave her recollection of her recent = trip to=20 Iraq months before the coalition forces entered Iraq to = commence the=20 liberation process. She recalls the Assyrian (Zowaa) soldiers=20 numbering 30 who were moving from house to house wishing the = citizens=20 a merry Christmas. She proudly proclaimed that with the help = of God,=20 the Assyrian flag will be waving prestigiously on top of [an = Assyrian]=20 white house.

When asked about the overall outcome of the event Al-Bazi = stated =93I=20 would plan a bigger [rally],=94 he said. =93If I could I would = have people=20 there every weekend.=94 He also mentioned that the organizers = would like=20 to thank the United States, and that the soldiers that gave = their=20 lives for the war of liberation would be considered martyrs = for all=20 free Iraqis.

In summary, Assyrians of all ages gathered in unity Sunday = to=20 demonstrate their appreciation and support for the US and = coalition=20 forces. This day was a stepping stone for the achievement of = global=20 Assyrian recognition and the fight for basic human rights of = Iraqis=20 and especially the Assyrian minority in the homeland=20 (Bet-Nahrain).

Nenos Damerchie
Canada

[Zinda Magazine Stand Corrected! In previous issue we = mentioned=20 the town of Ain kawa as one of recently librated Assyrian = towns. In=20 fact we meant Ain Sefne. The town of Ain Kawa has been = liberated since=20 1991]

Surfer's=20 Corner

LONDON LECTURE: = ASSYRIANS AFTER THE=20 FALL OF NINEVEH

A lecture will be presented by Rabi Hermis Aboona on Thursday, = 1 May at=20 8 p.m. The topic of this lecture is =93the Assyrians After the = Fall of=20 Nineveh.=94

The lecture will be held at the following address:

Assyrian Society of the United Kingdom
1 Temple Road=20
Ealing
London
England
W5 4SL
Tel : +44 (208) 567 = 3768

A short biography of Rabi Hermis Aboona:

Born 1940 in the ancient Assyrian town of Alqosh, moved to = Baghdad in=20 1952 and in 1964 graduated from the University of Baghdad with a = BA degree=20 in Law.

In 1983 he joined the University of Exeter to further pursue = his=20 academic studies, where he spent six years of research to prepare = his=20 thesis on =93The independent Assyrian Tribes of Tiyari and Hakkari = and their=20 relations with the Kurds and the Ottomans 1831-850=94.

He has written 12 volume series under the title of =93Assyrians = after the=20 fall of Nineveh=94 some of them have been published, another four = are to be=20 published in June next year.

Published numerous articles in North America, Europe and Middle = East,=20 Edited two volumes on =93Assyrians and the Modern sports=94 by = Isak Isak, also=20 =93Safarid Kasha Sliwa L=92Shmaya=94
Edited two volumes = written by Mar Elia=20 Aboona, =93The History of the Church of the East and the = patriarchal=20 family=94

ASSYRIAWORLD.COM

Assyria World is a community mainly for Assyrians, but also for = everyone else. The purpose of this community is to create a place = on the=20 Internet for Assyrians from around the world to gather and discuss = various=20 topics with each other. It also works as a newspaper and gives you = the=20 latest news about Assyrians around the world. Another goal of this = community is to make our nation stronger as a people and also keep = us in=20 touch with our roots and culture. Let us gather in one place so = our voice=20 will be stronger and better heard, so spread the word about = Assyria World=20 at http://www.assyriaworld.com/.

Milad
milad@assyriaworld.com
http://www.assyriaworld.com/

Literatus

LIBERATION OF = ALQOSH

[Z-info:=20 the following is an exclusive report submitted from the = Information Office=20 of the Assyrian Democratic Movement regarding the liberation of = the town=20 of Alqosh in North Iraq]:

Congratulations to our Iraqi people and to all noble and = benevolent=20 people throughout the world on the fall and collapse of the = fortresses of=20 the dictator in Baghdad.

Today is the third day that the region of Mosul plain has = breathed the=20 air of freedom. Tomorrow could be the dictatorship's last days in = the=20 entire country as indications confirm that throughout Iraq the = dictator's=20 fortresses are collapsing, one after another.

This morning, groups of Zowaa's freedom fighters arrived at our = Chaldean Assyrian villages spread along the 'Ain Sifni, Alqosh, = and=20 Badriya axis. As dawn came on this day of spring, a Zowaa = detachment=20 entered the village of Sharfiya, south of Alqosh. Our people = welcomed=20 Zowaa's freedom fighters with hugs as the near-by church rang its = bell in=20 a spectacular scene. Few moments later, balconies were embellished = with=20 purple flags and decorated with national slogans. The comrade in = charge=20 spoke to the population and thanked them for their warm welcome. = He=20 quieted the crowd and told them that the dictatorial regime was = removed=20 and assured them that the chauvinistic policies will disappear = without a=20 trace.

Soon after, three freedom fighter groups from Zowaa headed to = the=20 village of Tallesqaf and stationed at the contact lines with the = regimes'=20 forces that initiated bombing using canon fire and ground = resistance with=20 Doshka weapons. But this bombing did not result in any casualties. = We hope=20 that our freedom fighters will enter Tallesqaf during tomorrow's = early=20 morning hours.

Alqosh is the symbol of power and pride, the pride of the = mountain that=20 backs its city. Alqosh has smacked dictatorship one more time. = This is=20 Alqosh's habit; the town and her people never accepted oppression. = Alqosh=20 was one of the first towns that ejected the dictator and his gang = and it=20 was Alqosh that welcomed Zowaa's freedom fighters with cheers; it = backed=20 and supported them. The scene in Alqosh is indescribable. The = foundation=20 of dictatorship is scattered to dust. It is hard to envision the = scene for=20 those who have not visited the region in the last ten years. From = Dohuk to=20 Fai'da all the way to Jambor and to the split of Badriya; and from = the=20 crossroad of Sharafiyat Alqosh and across Alqosh-'Ain Sifni axis, = one=20 cannot avoid a disgusting scene of hundreds of inspection points, = hundreds=20 of military installations and camps of a humiliated and exhausted = army at=20 the hands of rotten tyrant. Concrete blocks that stick in your = face; spoil=20 the vast beautiful and spectacular green valley. The coalition = forces=20 leveled military fortresses and installations. The dictator built = these=20 concrete fortresses to protect himself from the outburst of the = people and=20 the coalition forces, but the will of people proved more powerful = than all=20 dictatorships.

At the junction of Shafiyat Alqosh, one of the ugliest = inspection=20 points reads "Stop .. Inspection Command" and what a phrase. = Hundred=20 meters aside from that command post there are six artificial = stopples that=20 are clearly visible to the driver or a citizen who is given a good = doze of=20 insults before reaching home and his family. The distance from = that point=20 to Alqosh itself is no more than one kilometer (around 0.6 mile), = but you=20 have to slow down to minimum speed at town's entrance as you see = on both=20 sides the dictators' fortresses and the Ba'ath Party offices. A = simple=20 picture the average citizen uses to see multiple times during a = day. We=20 saw that picture today, but it was a different and clean picture = that did=20 not include the regime's ugliness and repugnance. The concrete = blocks have=20 been leveled to the ground and people are working to clean up = their fields=20 and orchards from the rubble. The rubble of the regime's military = camps=20 and stations occupied vast lands; it requires the help of the = local=20 administration to assist the people in the clean up. As far as = check=20 points that brought fear into people's hearts, you pass by them = without=20 any interference today. A driver might honk to that fighter = standing there=20 along the road side or a signal will be given to alert drivers = from the=20 artificial stopples. For the person who has taken that route = before, it is=20 definitely not easy to deal with the conflicting emotions felt = today. It=20 is going to take a long time before these painful memories = vanquish and=20 are replaced by beautiful ones.

Back to Alqosh, the town entrance today put a person in the = center of=20 events and at the first steps of the new era that has begun. You = look to=20 your left and right and what a surprise! It was here only few = moments ago=20 the center of oppression and terror, and in a blink, a buried = dictatorship=20 that was based on killing, blood, and terror. The entrance to = Alqosh looks=20 beautiful and nothing blocks its splendor. Nothing stops you from = climbing=20 Alqosh's mountain peak. And if you visit Alqosh and did not visit = its=20 mountain where the tomb of Rabban Hurmiz is, that great eagle's = nest, the=20 equation remains incomplete. They are two marks for one title; a = historic=20 and rooted town that inherited supercilious from Nineveh and the = mountain=20 that inherited an everlasting withstanding and bravery.

Bravo

REV. KEN JOSEPH RETURNS TO BAGHDAD

The Assyrian clergy from Tokyo, Japan =96 Rev. Ken Joseph =96 = is returning=20 to Baghdad. He is taking a convoy of three trucks full of water, = food,=20 medical supplies and letters for family members from Amman, Jordan = into=20 Free Iraq for the Assyrian Christians and others in need!

At Zinda Magazine press time, the trucks had just crossed the=20 Jordanian-Iraqi border with 20 tons of relief supplies for the = Assyrian=20 churches and others in need and 8 volunteers to help pass out the = nearly=20 10,000 bottles of water and nearly 1,000 letters from family = members to=20 their families in Iraq.

The convoy is accompanied by = Assyrian=20 volunteers and military escorts.

On Saturday at = approximately 6:30=20 pm Pacific Standard Time (California) Rev Joseph was interviewed = on=20 FoxNews during which time he spoke about the Assyrian Christians = and waved=20 the colorful Assyrian flag. To view this video clip please visit:=20 Real=20 Player video clip

Should you or someone you know have a loved one or friend in = Iraq Rev.=20 Ken Joseph and his team from Japan may be able to trace their = whereabouts.=20 To learn more please visit: http://www.assyria= nchristians.com/locator.htm=20 .

Calendar of=20 Events

Visit the Zinda Magazine Calendar at http://www.zindamagazine.c= om/calendar

Thank=20 You!

Zindamagazine would like to = thank:

Nineb Lamassu
(United Kingdom)

Dr. = Gabriele=20 Yonan
(Germany)

Pavel Varda
(United = States)

Esam=20 Youkhana
(North Iraq)

Regina and Louai Salim=20
(Chicago)

= 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

AMERICA PROTECTED ITS = OIL AS=20 ASSYRIAN HISTORY WAS LOOTED

ASSYRIANS AND = TOMORROW=92S=20 IRAQ

DR. KATRIN MICHAEL SAYS = IRAQIS MUST=20 CHOOSE OWN LEADERS

CASHING ON = EGO

LONDON LECTURE: = ASSYRIANS AFTER THE=20 FALL OF NINEVEH

LIBERATION OF = ALQOSH