March 24, 2003

GOOD MORNING=20 BET-NAHRAIN

U.S. SELECTS=20 DR. KAMBER, 29 OTHER IRAQI AS 'FRONTMEN'

Courtesy of the Washington Times (26 = March); by=20 Sharon Behn

(ZNDA: Washington D.C.) The State Department has named more = than 30=20 Iraqi exiles, most of them living in the United States, to head to = Baghdad=20 to serve as the professional core of a new administration as soon = as=20 possible after the fall of Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's = regime.

Among the selected group is the Assyrian political activist, = Professor=20 Emanuel Kamber of Kalamazoo, Michigan. Prof. Kamber was among the = Assyrian=20 delegation to the 16 December meeting in London.

The exiles say they expect to serve as the "frontmen" of = Baghdad's new=20 government, linking with Iraqi nationals on the ground to = reconstruct=20 everything from the country's police force to its banking = system.

"We would be in some advisory capacity," Mr. Kambar said. "We = hope to=20 see a civilian transition of Iraq from the inside and the outside" = within=20 six months to two years from the end of successful military = action. "I=20 would like to see a democratic, secular, multiethnic Iraq," added = Mr.=20 Kambar.

The exiles include Kurds, Sunnis and Shiites, but = have=20 been chosen more for their badly needed professional skills than = their=20 political background, said Judith Kipper, senior fellow of the = Middle East=20 program at the Center for Strategic and International = Studies.

FINAL STATEMENT FROM ANKARA=20 MEETING

(ZNDA: Ankara) On 19 March, representatives of Turkey and the = United=20 States met with delegations of the Assyrian Democratic Movement = and the=20 CMM, INA, INC, ITF, KDP, PUK and SCIRI in Ankara, Turkey.

The following is the official statement of the participating = members of=20 the Iraqi Opposition Groups:

All participants agree that among their principle objectives = regarding=20 the future of Iraq are the following:

-- Enabling the Iraqi people to build a fully representative = and=20 democratic government that meets international standards, = including free=20 and fair elections, respect for the rule of law and private = property,=20 equality before the law and respect for human rights, consistent = with=20 principles agreed at the opposition conference in London.

-- Preservation of Iraq=92s independence, sovereignty, = territorial=20 integrity and national unity;

-- Elimination of Iraq=92s weapons of mass destruction = capabilities, in=20 accordance with relevant United Nations Security Council = resolutions;

-- Full compliance with all relevant UNSC resolutions to allow = for=20 Iraq=92s full re-integration into the world community so that = there would be=20 no need for sanctions or no-fly zones;

-- Determining the future political system and the constitution = for=20 Iraq through the full participation and free consent of the = totality of=20 the Iraqi population;

-- Using the natural resources of Iraq as a national asset and = for the=20 Iraqi people as a whole, to strengthen the national economy;

-- Making use of the above principle objectives, in order to = help=20 foster national unity and reflect the reality that all parts and = cities of=20 Iraq belong to the nation as a whole, in perpetuity;

-- Protecting civilian lives and property, strongly = discouraging the=20 uncontrolled movements of refugees and internally displaced = persons, and=20 strongly discouraging Iraqis from taking the law into their own = hands or=20
inciting civil discord. All claims will be addressed via a = commission=20 that will quickly be set up for a legal and organized process to = address=20 the restitution of homes seized previously by the Iraqi regime, = and other=20 claims. All Iraqis who have rightful claims will be able to = resolve them=20 in a peaceful and orderly manner through this commission.

-- Elimination of discrimination based on race, ethnic origin, = gender,=20 language or religious conviction. The protection of the rights and = freedoms of all constituent peoples of Iraq =96 Arabs, Kurds, = Turkomans,=20 Assyrians, Chaldeans and others =96 will be paramount in a future = Iraq;

-- The reformation of the Iraqi national military, to include = the=20 reintegration of all militia organizations (including those forces = now=20 operating under the command of the Iraqi opposition) and the = reformation=20 of Iraq=92s security institutions;

-- Elimination of terrorism and of support for terrorism in and = from=20 Iraq, as well as denial of safe havens and weaponry to = terrorists.

ADM :	Assyrian Democratic Movement
CMM :	Constitutional Monarchy Movement
INA :	Iraqi National Accord
INC :	Iraqi National Congress
ITF :	Iraqi Turkoman Front
KDP :	Kurdistan Democratic Party
PUK :	Patriotic Union of Kurdistan
SCIRI :	Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in=20 Iraq.

250 ASSYRIAN FAMILIES FLEE BAGHDAD TO=20 DOHUK

(ZNDA: Dohuk) Zinda sources from North Iraq indicated on 19 = March that=20 over 250 Assyrian
families have arrived to Dohuk from Baghdad = in the=20 last few days. The report says that they are carrying only their = personal=20 clothing and may be in dire need of immediate humanitarian = support.

Information received this morning indicates also that more than = half of=20 Dohuk and Arbil's residents have already left their homes for the = villages=20 in the north for fear of possible exposure to chemical = agents.

CHURCHES IN IRAQ PROVIDE = SHELTER

Courtesy of Zenit News Agency (19 March)

(ZNDA: Baghdad) Churches in Iraq will stay open for people in = need of=20 shelter during bombing, said Latin-rite Archbishop Jean Benjamin = Sleiman=20 of Baghdad.

"The churches, however, will stay open, regardless of what = happens, to=20 guarantee at any time shelter for all," he said. "The government = has given=20 food rations so that, for at least a week or so, there should be = no food=20 problems.

"I would like to say to President George W. Bush: 'War also = harms the=20 victor; the only possible victory is peace.'"

"In a certain sense, we are all Americans, as we are all = citizens of=20 the world," the archbishop added.

BOMBS DAMAGE THE CHALDEAN PATRIARCHATE = IN=20 BAGHDAD

Courtesy of Vatican News Agency (23=20 March)

(ZNDA: Baghdad) Bombs damage the Chaldean Patriarchate in = Baghdad, but=20 auxiliary bishop Emmanuel Karim Delly was not wounded by the = explosions.=20

On Saturday, news agencies said that the 75-year old prelate, = who has=20 been bishop since 1962, had been wounded by bombs that fell near = his=20 residence in the Patriarchate of Babylon of the Chaldeans.

"Glass from the windows fell on top of me. But nothing happened = to me.=20 The Virgin protected me. I am well," the bishop told the Italian = Catholic=20 television channel "Sat2000" on Saturday afternoon.

Monsignor Shlemon Warduni, also an auxiliary bishop of the = Chaldean=20 Patriarchate, explained in turn: "There was a bombing next to our=20 Patriarchate. All the windowpanes broke and this is the reason = that the=20 rumor spread that Bishop Delly had been wounded. However, as he = himself=20 has said, he is well."

Bishop Delly made an appeal to "stop the war, to stop this = catastrophe,=20 in which children, young people, elderly people, women, men are = lost.=20 Everything is lost with war; much is gained with peace."

"In particular, we ask all families to pray the Rosary, as Pope = John=20 Paul II has requested," the bishop concluded.

IRAQI CHRISTIANS CONSECRATE = COUNTRY TO MART=20 MARYAM

Courtesy of Vatican News (21 = March)

(ZNDA: Baghdad) Today different Christian Churches in Iraq = consecrated=20 the country to the Virgin Mary.

The Christians of Baghdad have gathered to pray around the = statue of=20 the pilgrim Virgin, in many churches of the city. The statue has = been on=20 pilgrimage in Iraq since 1998. The announcement of the = consecration was=20 made on Sunday, March 16, in all the churches of the capital.

The act of consecration will be attended by representatives of = the=20 Catholic Church and of other Christian confessions.

The Chaldean Patriarchate will be represented by Bishop Shlemon = Warduni=20 and Bishop Emmanuel-Karim Delly; the Latin Catholic Church by = Archbishop=20 Jean Benjamin Sleiman; the Syrian Catholic Church by Archbishop = Athanasius=20 Matti Shaba Matoka; the Armenian Catholic Church by Archbishop = Paul=20 Coussa; the Syrian Orthodox Church by Archbishop Saverius Jamil = Hawa; and=20 the Assyrian Church of the East by Archbishop Ghevargese Warda = Daniel=20 Sliwa.

The solemn act took place at 6:00 p.m. in the Chaldean = Cathedral of St.=20 Joseph in Baghdad, before a statue of the pilgrim Virgin, Queen of = Peace,=20 Vatican Radio confirmed.

CHRISTIANS IN JORDAN REMAIN AGAINST = US-LED=20 ATTACK ON IRAQ

Courtesy of Jordan Times (23 March); by = Natasha=20 Twal

(ZNDA: Amman) The Christian community in Jordan = is=20 uniting its voice to condemn the globally controversial US-led war = now=20 under way on Iraq.

From conducting special prayers for peace to issuing statements = against=20 the war, Christians from different denominations all agree in = their stand=20 against the war.

Latin Bishop of Amman Salim Sayegh said the ongoing war in Iraq = is=20 "unjustified" and "unjust" adding that the Latin Vicariate of = Amman has=20 issued a statement calling for peace and is collecting funds to = assist=20 Iraqi refugees and third country nationals.

According to Sayegh, the stand of the Latin Vicariate, which = includes=20 all Latin churches here, complies with that of Pope John Paul II. =

Speaking on the Italian religious channel, "Telepace," the = pontiff said=20 Saturday the war was threatening "the fate of humanity ... = Violence and=20 arms can never resolve the problems of men," exclaimed the Pope. =

Head of the Melkite Catholic Church Father Nabeel Haddad issued = a=20 statement denouncing the war, calling on those involved to listen = to their=20 "conscience" and respect human rights.

"We are saddened and frustrated by the military action against = Iraq=20 that could not be stopped by the cries for justice," Haddad said. =

Haddad, whose church is conducting continual prayers for peace, = particularly during the Lent season, said: "We stand here as a = single=20 nation from different origins =97 both Christian and Muslim =97 to = stop these=20 ugly actions."

A call for peace also came from the Young Women's Christian = Association=20 (YWCA) that is arranging a `prayer day' on Monday, which will = include=20 readings from the Holy Bible, the singing of hymns and children = lighting=20 candles.

"We have sent invitations to all of our 125 associations around = the=20 world to join us in prayers Monday and to light candles for = peace," head=20 of the YWCA, Reem Najjar, explained to The Jordan Times.

The vigil is to be held at Saint Mary of Nazareth Church in = Sweifieh=20 and "is open to both Muslims and Christians," said Najjar.

In addition to the condemnations of war in Iraq, Evangelical = churches=20 in Amman are cooperating with the Red Crescent in providing aid to = third=20 country nationals in the Ruweished camps.

Through the Jordanian Evangelical Committee for Relief and = Development,=20 established during the first Gulf War, the churches are providing = $8,000=20 worth of daily food assistance, according to the committee's = spokesperson=20 Issam Hijazeen.

"A total of 30 young volunteers left for Ruweished last Friday = to help=20 provide food to displaced nationals crossing the border," Hijazeen = said,=20 adding that the committee has set up its own kitchen towards that = end.=20

Retired Christian teacher and mother of four, Suad Shatara, = expressed=20 her condemnation of the US-led war.

"Of course I do not support this unjust war, where both young = and old=20 are being massacred for no specific reason," said Shatara, adding = that=20 Christians and Muslims here are "one nation that suffers the same = pain=20 from this injustice."

Mother of two and active member of the Roman Orthodox Church in = Sweifieh, Sawsan Sahhar, strongly condemned the war as well.

"I am against the killing of innocents and against the = disruption of a=20 sovereign country by outside forces," said Sahhar, saying any = change in=20 Iraq, if it must occur, should happen from within.

Jordan is presently home to some 170,000 Christians, = representing five=20 per cent of the country's five million citizens.

News = Digest

ASSYRIAN DELEGATION = VISITS PM TONY=20 BLAIR

(ZNDA: London) On Wednesday 19 March, an Assyrian delegation = presented=20 a letter to Mr. Tony Blair, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. = The=20 delegation also met with various members of the British = parliament. The=20 Assyrian delegation comprised the following (left to right

1) Samir David =96 Bet Nahain Democratic Party
2) Praidon = Darmoo =96=20 Assyrian Universal Alliance
3) Yatron Darmoo =96 Assyrian = National=20 Congress
4) Albert Yelda - one of the 65-man Follow-up and = Coordination=20 Committee
5) Gewargis Bakoos =96 Assyrian Patriotic Union
6) = Emmanuel=20 Youkhanna =96 Assyrian Democratic Movement
7) John Michael =96 = Assyrian=20 Democratic Movement

ASSYRIAN DELEGATION=92S LETTER TO = PRIME=20 MINISTER TONY BLAIR

Prime Minister Tony Blair
10 Downing = Street
London
SW1A=20 2AA

19th March 2003
Dear Prime Minister Blair,

As we are nearing a turning point in the history of our = homeland Iraq,=20 the below mentioned Democratic Assyrian political organisations = would like=20 to take this opportunity to highlight the plight and concerns of = our=20 people in Iraq.

Assyrian Christians are the indigenous people of Iraq, our = history in=20 that region spans 6000 years. Assyrians speak the Aramaic = language, the=20 language of our saviour Jesus Christ and indeed Assyrians were the = first=20 nation to accept Christianity in the first century A.D.

During the First World War, Assyrians allied with the British = against=20 the Ottoman Turks and as a consequence lost over half our = population as=20 well as our ancestral homelands.

There are approximately 1.5 million Assyrian Christians in Iraq = today.=20 Under the current dictatorial regime, Assyrian people have endured = 35=20 years of systematic oppression, persecution and summary executions = due to=20 our distinct race and Christian beliefs.

The Iraqi census in 1977 forced Assyrians to register as either = Arabs=20 or Kurds, this was in line with the regimes policy of forced = Arabisation=20 of the Assyrians in an attempt to eliminate our identity.

Under Saddam=92s regime, over two hundred Assyrian villages and = countless=20 ancient Assyrian Churches and Monasteries were razed to the = ground,=20 Churches and Monasteries, which had remained intact for over 1,600 = years.=20 The inhabitants of these villages were either killed or displaced. = Non-Assyrians now inhabit these ancient Assyrian villages and we = fear that=20 they may have been lost forever.

Assyrians are forbidden to teach the Assyrian Aramaic language = and are=20 not permitted to christen our children with Assyrian Christian = names.

Due to the barbaric policy of Saddam=92s evil regime, over one = million=20 Assyrians, 25% of our total number worldwide, have fled Iraq over = the last=20 30 years.

We, the below mentioned Assyrian political organisations = support you,=20 Mr. Prime Minister and the President of the United States of = America in=20 your joint leadership to liberate the people of Iraq, without your = support=20 and moral stance, such a task is impossible. We believe this is = crucial=20 for the safety and security of the people of Iraq, the region and = the=20 world.

We strive for:

=B7 Human rights and equality for every Iraqi irrespective of = gender,=20 ethnicity, religion, political or personal beliefs.
=B7 Unity = and=20 territorial integrity of Iraq.
=B7 Establishment of a = democratic and=20 constitutional Iraq that is based on the rule of law and = order.
=B7 An=20 Iraq that is free from weapons of mass destruction and is at = peace with=20 its neighbours.
=B7 An Iraq that is a catalyst for = democracy, peace=20 and prosperity in the region.

In order for democracy to work in Iraq, all ethnic groups = irrespective=20 of race, religion and numbers must have fair and equal = representation in=20 all official government organisations and institutions. The = Assyrians=20 worst fear is that our legitimate rights may be once again ignored = and=20 suppressed. Therefore, we urge the British and American = governments to=20 utilise their influence to ensure that democracy is built on a = solid=20 foundation by ensuring that all ethnic groups are treated and = looked upon=20 equally.

Our Assyrian people in Iraq anxiously await the = day of=20 liberation, Iraqi people everywhere will be eternally grateful to = those=20 who made freedom, peace and democracy a reality in our homeland, = Iraq.=20

As British citizens of Assyrian descent we stand by the United = Kingdom=20 in its effort to bring about a lasting peace to the world.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the British and American = troops and=20 the innocent people of Iraq.

Yours sincerely,
For and on behalf of,

Assyrian Democratic Movement
Assyrian = National=20 Congress
Assyrian Patriotic Party
Assyrian Universal=20 Alliance
Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party

SYRIAN ORTHODOX PATRIARCH LOSES SLEEP = OVER HIS=20 IRAQI FLOCK

Courtesy of Associated Press (18 March); = article by=20 Bruce Stanley

(ZNDA: Damascus) As leader of one of the world's oldest = Christian=20 sects, Patriarch Zakka Iwas has pursued his calling from Baghdad = to New=20 York and back again to the Iraqi capital.

He lives and works now in = Damascus, seat of=20 the Syriac Orthodox Church =97 a 1,500-year old institution that = counts=20 thousands of members in the United States. His prayers have = focused lately=20 on his hometown, Baghdad, and the 10,000 followers of his church = living=20 there.

Candy-red prayer beads clicked in the patriarch's fingers as he = spoke=20 of his anxiety about the dangers facing Christians in a war = launched by=20 U.S. President George W. Bush against Iraq.

"I'm sick because of it. I sleep only a little, and I'm very = worried. I=20 pray that God will have mercy on us and save our people and our = country,=20 not only Iraq but the whole area," he said in a recent interview. =

Iwas, 69, insists he is no friend of Saddam Hussein. He met the = Iraqi=20 President several times while serving as archbishop of Baghdad and = Basra.=20 Iwas left Iraq when he became the church patriarch in 1980, one = year after=20 Saddam rose to power.

"I am not with the government. I am not with the regime. But I = am with=20 the people," he said.

Iwas is suspicious of Washington's motives. Like many in the = Middle=20 East, he believes the Bush administration's relentless push to = disarm the=20 Iraqi leader is driven by greed for Iraq's oil reserves =97 the = world's=20 second largest =97 and not by compassion for its people.

"Americans are trying to destroy Iraq, as they did Afghanistan, = to get=20 the petroleum and other things. That is clear," he said.

"Is this human rights? What is the business of the United = States to=20 move into this country or that country, to remove this or that = head of=20 state? Why don't they do that in Israel, to help the = Palestinians?"

Iwas, whose official title is Patriarch of Antioch and all the = East,=20 draws a sharp distinction between Americans and their government. = He spent=20 two formative years studying at the Episcopal Church's General = Theological=20 Seminary in downtown Manhattan. He left in 1962 with a love for = the people=20 he met there, and a newfound passion for the music of Beethoven = and=20 Handel.

Unfortunately, he said, Americans are likely to find themselves = reviled=20 in the Middle East because of an Iraq war, particularly if they = make no=20 forceful effort to stop Israeli abuses of Palestinian rights.

Iwas spoke with a passion and bluntness that seemed at odds = with the=20 conservatism natural for a cleric steeped in ancient tradition. = When he=20 conducts services at St. George Cathedral in the oldest, walled = section of=20 Damascus, Iwas speaks in Syriac, a modern version of Aramaic =97 = the=20 language Jesus Christ is believed to have spoken. He discusses the = medieval Crusades as if they were a recent calamity.

Iwas, a monk, wears a crimson cassock and a matching, fez-like = hat.=20 With his white beard and paunch, the outfit gives him the vague = look of=20 Santa Claus.

His church, known also as the Syrian Orthodox Church, was = founded in=20 the year 452 after a schism with the bulk of the world's = Christians. Of=20 its 4 million members, half are descendants of converts in = southern=20 India's Kerala state. Others live in Germany, Sweden and in the = United=20 States, where immigrants from the Near East introduced the faith = in the=20 late 19th century. About 4,000 families worship today at Syriac = Orthodox=20 churches in America, with large communities in Los Angeles, = Michigan,=20 Massachusetts and New Jersey.

Syria's Christians and Muslims have coexisted peacefully for = centuries.=20 Although most Syrians are Muslims, about one-tenth are Greek = Orthodox,=20 Roman Catholics, or followers of smaller sects such as the Syriac=20 Orthodox.

"We are very good friends, let me say, brothers," he said of = the=20 country's majority Muslims.

ASSYRIAN-JAPANESE CLERGY RETURNS FROM=20 IRAQ

Courtesy of the Washington Times (23 = March); by=20 Arnaud de Borchgrave

(ZNDA: Amman) A group of = American=20 anti-war demonstrators, part of a Japanese human-shield = delegation,=20 returned from Iraq yesterday with 14 hours of uncensored video, = all shot=20 without Iraqi government minders present, with Iraqis eager to = tell of=20 their welcome for American troops.

The Rev. Kenneth Joseph, = a young=20 American pastor of the Assyrian Church of the East, said the trip = to Iraq=20 "had shocked me back to reality."

Some of the Iraqis he = interviewed=20 on camera, he said, "told me they would commit suicide if American = bombing=20 didn't start. They were willing to see their homes demolished to = gain=20 their freedom from Saddam [Hussein]'s bloody tyranny."

Mr. = Joseph=20 said the Iraqis convinced him that Saddam is "a monster the likes = of which=20 the world had not seen since Stalin and Hitler. He and his sons = are sick=20 sadists.

"Their tales of slow torture and killing made me = ill, such=20 as people put in a huge shredder for plastic products, feet first = so the=20 [torture masters] could hear their screams as bodies got chewed up = from=20 foot to head."

The pastor and others making it across the = border=20 into Jordan tell harrowing stories about their journey. The only = gasoline=20 station between Baghdad and the border, a distance of 400 miles, = was blown=20 up by U.S. fighter-bombers. The station, in the one-camel village = of=20 Ramadi, had the only telephone booth on the road across the desert = and a=20 Jordanian, who had stopped to call his parents in Amman to let = them know=20 he was on his way home, was killed in the explosion.

The = few taxi=20 drivers in Baghdad willing to drive to the Jordanian border are = charging=20 $1,500 per passenger. Very few Iraqis can afford the fare, and = only about=20 300 "third-country nationals," mostly Sudanese and Egyptians, have = reached=20 the border post since the "shock and awe" campaign began. = Travelers have=20 to struggle with their luggage across the last two miles on foot = to Al=20 Karama, the first Jordanian outpost. From there, they are taken by = bus to=20 a tent city at the Ruwaished refugee camp, 36 miles inside=20 Jordan.

The Baghdad-Jordan highway was busy with commercial = traffic=20 before the beginning of the war, with some 700 tanker-trucks = shuttling=20 daily with part of the 12,000 tons of oil consumed by Jordan every = day.=20 All of it comes from Iraq at discounted prices under the U.N. = oil-for-food=20 program. Some 2,600 Jordanian and 1,500 Iraqi tankers have been = involved=20 in the overland oil traffic. Movement was down to 140 tankers the = day=20 before the bombing started. It stopped abruptly two days=20 ago.

Jordan had made plans for a quick switch to tankers = anchored=20 off Aqaba. Qatar had pledged to replace whatever shortfall Jordan=20 experienced.

Jordanians see one favorable omen. Every day, = almost a=20 thousand white storks arrive at a supermarket parking lot on one = of=20 Amman's seven hills, a pit stop on their way from Africa to their = East=20 European breeding grounds. About 100,000 storks are expected to = stop here=20 over the next month, numbers not seen in 10 years. Jordanians take = this as=20 a sign of ample rain and a good harvest ahead.

The = difference=20 between official and private views of some ranking Jordanian = officials may=20 be an omen, too. Officially, they condemn the war and say they are = "deeply=20 troubled" by the prospect of repercussions of the war on the = region, and=20 describe the situation as "critical."

Privately, they say, = the war=20 is developing a new opportunity for peace in the Middle East. Says = one=20 former prime minister: "If the U.S. can get a new Iraq to = recognize Israel=20 as a quid pro quo for a final Palestinian settlement, others will = fall=20 into place =97 Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the other Gulf states. = Iran would=20 then have to pull back its military support for Hezbollah."

[Z-info:=20 See Rev. Ken Joseph=92s letter from Amman, Jordan in this week=92s = SURFS=20 UP!]

SAN JOSE CELEBRATES AKITU FESTIVAL, = RAISE MONEY=20 FOR IRAQ

(ZNDA: San Jose) On Saturday the Assyrian American Association = of San=20 Jose, with the assistance of the local chapter of the Assyrain Aid = Society=20 of America, collected over $7600.00 for the Assyrians in North = Iraq. The=20 occasion was the Assyrian New Year party held in San Jose. = Entertainment=20 was provided by two Assyrian vocalists: Ogin and Ashur Bet-Sargis. =

One week earlier, over 600 Assyrians from San Jose and = surrounding=20 communities took to the streets of downtown San Jose and = demonstrated for=20 the recognition of the Assyrian constitutional rights in = Iraq.

SADDAM RECEIVED KEY TO CITY OF DETROIT = IN=20 1980

Courtesy of the Detroit News (26 March); = by=20 Jennifer Brooks

(ZNDA: Detroit) Saddam Hussein has collected many things in his = 24-year=20 reign -- palaces, enemies. And the key to the city of Detroit. =

"It is very strange, thinking about it now," said Pastor Jacob = Yasso of=20 Detroit's Sacred Heart Parish, who presented the key to the city, = along=20 with the compliments of then-Mayor Coleman A. Young, to the Iraqi = leader=20 in 1980. One of the mayor's staff gave Yasso the key as a courtesy = to the=20 city's Chaldean community.

(Caption: Pastor Jacob Yasso, right, of Detroit's Sacred = Heart=20 Parish traveled to Iraq to give the keys to the city of Detroit to = Saddam=20 Hussein.)

"Now, you must remember that in those days, Saddam Hussein was = a=20 puppet. He was an American puppet," said Yasso, who leads the = Chaldean=20 Catholic parish on Detroit's west side.

In the 1980s, Iraq and the United States were allied in their = mistrust=20 of Iran.

Even so, Yasso was surprised by his warm welcome in Baghdad in = 1980.=20 This welcome came from the same regime that denounced Yasso for = speaking=20 out from his pulpit against the nationalization of Iraq's schools. = The=20 Iraqi embassy squired Yasso and a delegation of 25 Chaldean = Catholic on an=20 all-expenses-paid trip to the homeland to celebrate Sacred Heart's = 50th=20 anniversary.

Saddam gave Sacred Heart something else: a check for $200,000 = that paid=20 off the church's debt, with enough left over to build a parish = center.=20 "Today, we use the center to teach American citizenship classes," = Yasso=20 said.

The priest still remembers his final words to Saddam.

"'Mr. President, we would like to have our Iraq in faithful = hands,' I=20 told him," Yasso recalled. "And he told me, 'Iraq is in faithful=20 hands.'... I would like to know why he has done this to his=20 people."

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

HAPPY NEW = YEAR

Happy New Assyrian Year to Zinda.

Philimon = Darmo
Australia

I wish you and all our Assyrian = around the=20 world a very happy new year, let=92s especially pray for our = brothers=20 and sisters and the whole people of Iraq to be safe and = well,at the=20 same time we pray for allied forces to return back home safe = after=20 liberating Iraq from the dictator Saddam Hussaien for ever, so = the=20 people of Iraq will experience the values of the freedom and =
human=20 rights for the first time after three decades.

Happy new year again and God bless you all.

Fred = Audisho
Australia

Wishing you a calm, peaceful, and = joyous=20 Assyrian New Year. May you, your families, your readers and = the entire=20 Assyrian nation be blessed with strength, courage, abundance, = unity,=20 and peace. May the Assyrians be a beacon of hope for each = other where=20 ever they may be.

As a new tradition, on this day of our Holy New Year let us = all=20 drink a glass of red wine in honor of our Assyrian Nation = wishing it a=20 long life, progress and unity.

Happy Kha' B' Neesan 6753.

S. Sargon Elia

TIME OFF

The time of the Vernal Equinox was = reported=20 incorrectly for the three cities in the United States in your=20 mailnote. The Pacific Standard Time is 8 hours behind the = Greenwich=20 Mean Time. Meaning the 00:58 GMT on March 21st minus 8 hours = will=20 equate to 4:58 PM PST on March 20th and not 3:58 PM San = Francisco.

Sarafina = Eddy
California

I believe you have the time wrong. = The U.S.=20 Naval Observatory lists the Vernal Equinox
at "Mar 20, 2003 = - 8:00=20 PM EST".

Raymond Eivaz

[Z-info: Zinda Magazine stands = corrected!]

IT WAS THE LUNAR = CALENDAR

In reply to your well-meaning = decision to=20 revive "Kha B'Nisaan" on the date of the vernal equinox (that = is to=20 say same as the Iranian New Rooz), let me respectfully tell = you that=20 in SEMITIC calendars months coincided with new moons.

Hence the original "Kha B'Nissan" did not necessarily = coincide with=20 the equinox but with the nearest new moon (at least 12 moons = later=20 -sometimes 13 !).

This year by pure chance the genuine Kha B'Nissan occurs on = April=20 1st (Which means that the real Passover occurs on April = 16th).

If you are intent on reviving genuine Assyrian customs I = suggest=20 you take into account the lunar aspect of months (each month = begins by=20 a NEW MOON -so does a new year too !).

I do not endorse your view of Kha B'Nissan as expressed in = your=20 letter.

Jean-Paul Sliva
Association = Assyrophile de=20 France

LIVE FROM BAGHDAD

Thank you for praying! You didn=92t = know it but=20 you were praying for us in Baghdad, Iraq. We were not able to = talk=20 about it until now but we have been in Baghdad delivering = supplies to=20 the precious Assyrian Christians and ministering and setting = up a=20 network to distribute relief once the situation calms.

We were the only foreigners in the city of Baghdad without = a=20 Government agent. All foreigners in Baghdad are required to = have a=20 government agent with them at all times. We had none and had = complete=20 freedom to travel and stayed with family members as I am=20 Assyrian.

The people were incredibly kind - taxi = drivers,=20 coffee shops refusing to be paid, hugs on the street - it was=20 wonderful!

Our hearts were broken with the suffering of the people but = also=20 touched by the strength of the Church. We didn=92t want to = leave but met=20 with the head of our tribe who asked us to go and let people = know the=20 situation of the Assyrian Christians.

We are now back in Amman and preparing to return as soon as = the=20 road between Amman and Baghdad is opened again. We were able = to take=20 nearly 14 hours of video footage. The video was discovered at = the=20 border but it was miraculously handed back!

God is truly a miracle working God and one of my students = was=20 working with a UN Agency so we were completely protected and = able to=20 work out of the UN Offices and the Church.

All because you prayed!!

Please pray as we prepare to return to Baghdad. Please pray = for our=20 new visas that we will be able to receive them before the = Embassies=20 close. Please pray for favor with Mr. Ghazal. Please pray for = Mar=20 Gewargis and the precious Assyrian Christians suffering as we = speak.=20 Please pray for the first of the Japanese volunteers as they = come to=20 help bring relief from Jordan into Iraq. Please pray for the = work in=20 Japan as we are gone for an extended time. Kimbo!

Rev. Ken Joseph Jr
Amman,=20 Jordan

NOT ENOUGH ABOUT THE ASSYRIANS IN = THE=20 MEDIA

In Canada last night 2 people, one = Assyrian,=20 and another who was Assyrian/Armenian went on live national = Canadian=20 television and expressed their concern about the lack of=20 representation of Assyrian people in the media, and in the = future=20 Iraq.

The show is called Counterspin (a popular debate show in = Canada.) I=20 believe you can watch that episode online if you'd like: http://www.counterspin.tv/= mar24.3.ram=20 .

The people raised a very important question: why are = Assyrians=20 always forgotten in the media? why is north Iraq always known = as=20 "Kurdistan" when a million or so Native Assyrians also live in = those=20 lands?

I hope you watch the show online to get a better idea of = what I=92m=20 talking about.

I think Assyrians worldwide should do something. I hope = your=20 magazine could write an article, to inspire Assyrians to call = for=20 their recognition, and representation in the media.

I also hope that your magazine will further document the = successes=20 like the Assyrian demonstration in San Francisco, and those = brave=20 Assyrians who went on Counterspin - to inspire Assyrians = everywhere to=20 do the same.

Basically, what should Assyrians everywhere do to get = better media=20 coverage? and at the same time, what should we not do?

Ashour = Rehana
Canada

RISE UP & SAY = SOMETHING

With the current situation in Iraq = and the=20 continuous live coverage from the media, I am asking all = Assyrians to=20 place calls to their local news agencies and Radio = broadcasters to=20 announce Assyrians in northern Iraq as a people who are = currently in=20 need of representation by reporters in the northern part of = the Iraqi=20 region.

As evident in the news, only Kurds have been mentioned and = there=20 has been no mention of any Assyrians who are the true = indigenous=20 people of that land. Currently Assyrians in Northern Iraq are=20 protecting their churches and their homes, it is the = obligation and=20 right of all Assyrians world wide to help their brethren in = this time=20 of crisis, and we must let the world know that Assyrians must = be=20 mentioned in any media coverage of Iraq. This will ensure our=20 continuity and our struggle as we strive to achieve Freedom = from the=20 tyranny brought against our people in our own homeland by the = years=20 and years of persecution, marginalization and oppression by = the=20 Iraqi
Regime.

The time has come my brothers and sisters of this great = ancient=20 nation: Rise and call for justice and liberty, rise and demand = for=20 your rights.

Here are some important news agencies to contact, ABC, CBS, = CNN,=20 FOX NEWS, NBC, and all all other news agencies who currently = have=20 reporters in the northern region of IRAQ (ASSYRIA).

Please mention that 90% of Iraqi's livings in the U.S are = Assyrians=20 and have fled due to persecution and oppression.

Don't forget to compliment the media and thank them for = their=20 coverage.

Your nation needs you, and this is the time to act, let the = world=20 hear our voice.

Long live America, long live freedom and long live the = Assyrian=20 continually (hal abad).

Ilber = Eshaya
California

ASSYRIANS ARE MISSING IN THE=20 NEWS

In regards to recent documentaries, = news items,=20 etc... on the TV lately, I have been hearing many things about = the=20 "struggle" of the Kurds in Northern Iraq and not to mention = the=20 "struggle" of the Shi'a in the South. What about the Assyrians = ?? Are=20 any of us even aware of this "missing" news about the = Assyrians in=20 Iraq ?? I'm not of Assyrian blood, but my step-father is = Assyrian, so=20 I am well aware of the issues, so I'm very frustrated and = angry at the=20 world media and governments at the ignorance shown towards the = Assyrians. A documentary by the BBC shown on Australian TV a = week ago,=20 CONSTANTLY talked about the Kurds and the Shi'a and I can only = recall=20 ONCE a mere mention of a "Christian Minority" in Iraq. Was = that=20 supposed to be the Assyrians??!!

Kind regards from a Greek who loves Assyrians and Assyria, = and who=20 believes in the truth!!

Michael = Makras
Australia

ASSYRIAN STUDENT WINS = CALIFORNIA=20 WRESTLING COMPETITION

I would like to share this happy and = successful=20 event for our third son Paul Benjamin in winning 4th place in=20 wrestling sectional region at Sacramento and San Joaquin 2/28, = 3/1=20 from a total of 138 high schools. Paul was the only Assyrian = in=20 California to qualify for the state championship and he was = ranked No.=20 13 thru 16 in the entire state of California for the weight of = 160=20 pounds 3/7,8. Hopefully Paul next year will become a senior at = Jesuit=20 high school and will become more experience and he promised to = win the=20 state championship next year and ranked No. 1 or 2 for the = entire=20 state of California. Paul needs your prayers to achieve his = goals and=20 under name of oomta.

Michael S. = Benjamin
California

Surfer's=20 Corner

MAR BAWAI TO SPEAK AT = THE VALLEY=20 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

His Grace Bishop Mar Bawai Soro of the Assyrian Church of the = East will=20 speak on Tuesday 15 April at 7:30 p.m. at the Valley Presbyterian = Church=20 in Portola Valley, California. The topic will be "What is it like = to live=20 in Iraq as a Christian".

HABBANIYA UNION SCHOOL=20 ASSOCIATION

The Habbaniya Union School Association puts out, under the = editorship=20 of Michael K. Pius, a semi-annual newsletter of 24 to 32 = letter-size pages=20 comprising of articles and pictures, of both current and vintage = nature,=20 relating to its former students as well as to its residents and = the local=20 town of Habbaniya in general. Two issues were published during the = second=20 half of last year and the next issue is due to come out in April = or May.=20 To date the Association has about 200 members =96 and growing.

The annual membership in the Association is US$8.00 for USA, = including=20 all family members, and US$10.00 for all other countries. The fee = includes=20 an annual subscription to HUSA newsletter.

If you are a former Habbaniyan, or interested in Habbaniya and = its=20 people, please contact the Administration Manager, Benyamin E. = Yalda, 9350=20 N. Parkside Drive, Des Plaines, Illinois 60016-5134, USA: Tel.=20 847-296-7587, E-mail: benyalda@yahoo.com for = further=20 information and an application form.

HUSA
Illinois

Literatus

DURING THIS TIME OF=20 CONFLICT

About 1 million of Iraq=92s 24 million people are Christian. = Our=20 Christian brothers and sisters in Iraq trace the beginnings of = their=20 church to Pentecost. In the list of those who were saved, the book = of Acts=20 mentions =93Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and residents of = Mesopotamia=94=20 (Acts 2:9) - ancestors of modern Iraqi believers. As ethnic = Assyrians,=20 many Iraqi Christians celebrate the worship of Jesus Christ in = Aramaic,=20 the native tongue of Jesus.

The apostle Paul reminds us of our essential unity with = Iraq=92s=20 Christian population: You are all sons of God through faith in = Christ=20 Jesus. For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed=20 yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is = neither=20 slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are = all one=20 in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:26-28 (NASB)

Dear Heavenly Father,

During this conflict I remember our Christian brothers and = sisters in=20 Iraq. The book of Proverbs declares, =93The name of the Lord is a = strong=20 tower; The righteous runs into it and is safe.=94 (18:10). May my = fellow=20 believers find safety and security in their Lord and Savior Jesus = Christ.=20 Grant to them the peace that only You can give through = Jesus
Christ,=20 our Lord.

Amen.
Rev. Charles R.=20 Swindoll
California
24 March 2003

ENOUGH OF SADDAM AND PEOPLE LIKE=20 HIM

[Z-info:=20 The following article was written by Mr. Sam Shalalo for the Four = Corners=20 magazine in Australia.]

As an ex-Iraqi, having been born in Baghdad and lived there for = 25=20 years before migrating to Australia in 1969, and as an Assyrian = Christian,=20 I'm more than entitled to give a clearer picture of the situation = at hand.=20 The war on Saddam or, as some call it, the 'Strike on Iraq', will=20 definitely change the whole atmosphere in the area. Iraqi people = of all=20 persuasions, ethnicities, religious denominations simply can take = no=20 longer of what Saddam Hussein and his regime can dish out to them. = But=20 they can take in anything at all that can be provided by a = superpower.=20 Notwithstanding the often commented on problems between the Kurds = and=20 Turkey, or the Shiites and Sunnis, or the seculars and the = Islamists; they=20 all share one thing in common, they've had enough of Saddam and = people=20 like him, and they've all had enough of divisions, party politics = and=20 ethnic hatreds.

Iraqi people experienced democracy, albeit prematurely, under = the=20 former rule of the Kingdom of Iraq. Under the different rules = since the=20 republic was established in 1958, there have been no real = democratic=20 elections as the ruling parties or personalities have known for = certain=20 that none of them would be in power if elections were held at any = time.=20 Yet, democracy is not as strange to the Iraqi people as some = people think.=20 Under a system planned and managed by the UN or USA or a = combination of=20 some sorts, the democratic system will definitely find a safe = haven in=20 Iraq. There will for sure be some areas of conflict and others of=20 antagonism towards different sects and groups, but the Iraqi = people can=20 easily and quickly adapt to a spirit of tolerance and patience if = they are=20 coached correctly by people who are experienced in such = matters.

The Shiites are not so much against the Sunnis as they are = mortally=20 against the person of Saddam and his junta. The Kurds are not = against the=20 Turks as much as they are against restricting their national = freedom.=20 They're not pursuing independence from Iraq as much as having a = say in=20 their own affairs. The Turkomen are much less Turks than they are = Iraqi.=20 The Christians are not yet ready to claim anything more than = freedom of=20 worship and practicing their own culture while pursuing a policy = of=20 tolerance for whoever may come to power and most emphatically if = the ruler=20 is elected democratically. The Assyrians, as practicing Christians = and as=20 the indigenous people of Iraq have had it worse than any other = group and=20 for a lot longer than anyone else. Yet, all they are seeking is to = be able=20 to stay Assyrians and practice as Christians and have some sort of = freedom=20 in using their language, culture and customs within an area of=20 administrative rights.

This war is just and legal. The UN may not have sanctioned it=20 officially, but those in the UN who opposed for any reason at all = the war=20 on Saddam don't have the slightest idea of what it is all about to = live=20 under his regime. They may see pictures or hear stories about it, = but it=20 is never the same as living it. I would like to see those people=20 transformed to live under such a regime and then oppose such a war = when=20 discussed in the Security Council of the United Nations.

Sam Shalalo
Australia

Bravo

FIRST ASSYRIAN WOMAN ELECTED = IN THE=20 NETHERLANDS ELECTIONS

Privincial elections were helo on 11 March in the Netherlands=20 (Holland). In the Province of Overijssel, the Labour Party = ("Partij van de=20 Arbeid"), the second largest party in the country, presented Ms. = Attiya=20 Gamri, a newcomer to the election list, on the Party=92s sixth = slot.

Ms. Attiya Gamri is the first Assyrian woman to be elected into = such a=20 high political position in Europe. She is well known to the = Assyrian=20 community across Europe for her dedicated work related to Assyrian = human=20 rights issues and within political and cultural organizations. She = has=20 always struggled to improve the position of Assyrian women. Over = the past=20 few years, she has participated in several human rights and = cultural=20 events organized in countries such as Iran, Syria and Lebanon, all = of=20 which are locations where large number of Assyrians continue to = live.

Ms. Gamri=92s Goals:

Ms. Gamri believes that "the world exists for 50% of women.=94 = She=20 questions, =93why are more women not represented in politics, a = forum where=20 decisions for a country and society are reached?=94 She believes = that in=20 many cases, women have a completely different view than men and as = such,=20 the female perspective can enrich the political debate. Over the = past=20 years, Ms. Gamri has dedicated herself to working intensely with = Assyrian=20 political parties where she claims to have learned immensely. = However, it=20 is unfortunate, she claims, that she has also noticed a lack of=20 professionalism within these organizations. From her position as = an=20 elected legislator, she hopes to support the Assyrian political = parties in=20 improving their work and in educating people in the political = process. She=20 also hopes more Assyrian women will enter the field of politics; = so that,=20 they can influence decisions that impact the society in which they = live.=20

Assyrian Role Models:

In the modern era, unfortunately, not many Assyrian women have = taken an=20 active part in political questions. However, one influential = Assyrian=20 woman=92s political voice who has impacted Ms. Gamri is that of = Surma=20 Khanim.* Surma Khanim is also known to many as "the Ambassador of = the=20 Assyrian people." Another political leader who has made an = impression on=20 Ms. Gamri is the late Professor Ashur Yousuf of Kharput.** = Professor Ashur=20 Yousuf dedicated his life to the political awakening of a sleeping = people.=20

Today, in Ms. Gamri=92s opinion, the politicians whose talents = move=20 mountains are: Mr. Yonadam Yacob Yusuf (ADM), Dr. Yacob Isa (ADO) = and Mr.=20 Numan Neshro. She admires them for their charisma and political = vision for=20 the Assyrian national question. Finally, Ms. Gamri says, =93I = admire Dr.=20 Eden Naby, for her dedication, professionalism and organizing = skills and=20 Dr. Katrin Michael, a brave Assyrian Chaldean who has skilfully = raised the=20 attention of both the media and politicians about the presence of = our=20 people in Iraq."

Duties to the Assyrian People:

Ms. Gamri states, "I will always try to maintain good contact = with my=20 people. And as long as the political parties serve the interest of = this=20 oppressed people, I will try to support them in their battle for = human=20 rights and international recognition. When I am able to, I will = not=20 hesitate in presenting the Assyrian Question on the international=20 political agenda. The issue of the denied Assyrian Genocide of = 1915 (=20 "Sayfo") is one of my priorities.

*Lady Surma=20 (Surma Khanim) "Woman Ambassador" http://www.ato= ur.com/~history/1900/20000830c.html
**Professor=20 Ashur Yousef of Kharput http://www.bethsuryoyo.com/images/Articles/AshurYousif/ArDocs25.jpg

Calendar of=20 Events

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

Thank=20 You!

Zindamagazine would like to = thank:

Albert Gabriel
(California)

Sharokin Betgevargiz
(Connecticut)

Tomas Isik

Dr. George Kiraz
(New Jersey)

Raman Michael
(Chicago)

Rita Pirayou
(California)

Stavros Stavridis
(Australia)

Susan Warda
(North = Iraq)

= 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

LAMENT FOR = URUK

ASSYRIAN DELEGATION = VISITS PM TONY=20 BLAIR

HAPPY NEW = YEAR

MAR BAWAI TO SPEAK AT = THE VALLEY=20 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

DURING THIS TIME OF=20 CONFLICT