Source: SIR
by Daniele Rocchi
News of persecutions by terrorists and islamic extremists against the Iraqi Christian community, forced to leave cities such as Baghdad or Mosul to take refuge in the north of the country or abroad, are reported. News about kidnappings, of priests also, protection tax, forced convertions and killings are a growing worry for the Chaldean Church that must cope with this "persecution emergency." Continuous are Benedict XVI's appeals to peace, to reconciliation and to the respect of human rights. About persecution of the Christians in Iraq, and not only, SIR made some questions to the Iraqi Ambassador to the Holy See, Albert Edward Ismail Yelda. Christian, he has a degree in ancient literature and a specialization in international human rights studies. Since 1997 to 2003 he worked as a legal advicer and to projects of support for Iraqi immigrants in London.
How can the Iraqi institutions protect the Christian minority?
"I personally belong to this ancient and fragile close community and, as an Iraqi Ambassador, I strongly condemn all the atrocities committed against the Christians of Iraq as well as other venerable minorities which take many forms including ethnic cleansings, threats, persecutions and killings by a handful of radicals and extremist groups linked and supported by the former remnants of the old regime. By such actions of these radicals committed in the name of Islam, and Islam as a religion is quite far from their evil actions, they are trying to create chaos in order to undermine the work of our newly elected Government’s efforts to fight terrorism, extremism and religious radicalism as well as religious sectarian violence in order to create the proper and sound environment to engage in all Iraqi political parties in a real and true dialogue as well as in a real national reconciliation among all the segments of the Iraqi society who believes in a new peaceful, stable, multicultural, multinational, multireligious, democratic and federal Iraq, it means that there should be no place for first, second or third class citizens in the new Iraq. We are also well aware that there are many elements from the neighbouring countries who are supporting the atrocities committed against our people by radicals and the remnants of the former regime who are making the life of all Iraqis, regardless of their religion, denomination, gender and nationality, so miserable in order to turn back the clock so that the new and young democracy in Iraq will not succeed and be replaced again by another ideology of evil tyranny and dictatorship so that the Iraqi people will continue to suffer for another at least 35 years of persecutions, suppressions and oppressions on a daily basis. Our Government of National Unity has been in power for just only one year and it needs all the support provided by the International Community to build a united, patriotic and non sectarian security to ensure the security of all Iraqis in order to make Iraq stable and peaceful. I am well aware that my Government is trying to do its utmost to help, assist and support all the Iraqi citizens and in particular the venerable ones including the Iraqi Christians. I am also aware that our Iraqi Christian religious leaders and the Iraqi Christian politicians, who are represented in the central and the regional Government of Kurdistan, are trying their utmost to highlight the current situation and the tragic events that the Christians of Iraq like wise the majority of Iraqis are going through."
Is there any scope for Christians in the new Iraq, and what is their role in the rebuilding of the country?
"I personally belong to this ancient and fragile close community and, as an Iraqi Ambassador, I strongly condemn all the atrocities committed against the Christians of Iraq as well as other venerable minorities which take many forms including ethnic cleansings, threats, persecutions and killings by a handful of radicals and extremist groups linked and supported by the former remnants of the old regime. By such actions of these radicals committed in the name of Islam, and Islam as a religion is quite far from their evil actions, they are trying to create chaos in order to undermine the work of our newly elected Government’s efforts to fight terrorism, extremism and religious radicalism as well as religious sectarian violence in order to create the proper and sound environment to engage in all Iraqi political parties in a real and true dialogue as well as in a real national reconciliation among all the segments of the Iraqi society who believes in a new peaceful, stable, multicultural, multinational, multireligious, democratic and federal Iraq, it means that there should be no place for first, second or third class citizens in the new Iraq. We are also well aware that there are many elements from the neighbouring countries who are supporting the atrocities committed against our people by radicals and the remnants of the former regime who are making the life of all Iraqis, regardless of their religion, denomination, gender and nationality, so miserable in order to turn back the clock so that the new and young democracy in Iraq will not succeed and be replaced again by another ideology of evil tyranny and dictatorship so that the Iraqi people will continue to suffer for another at least 35 years of persecutions, suppressions and oppressions on a daily basis. Our Government of National Unity has been in power for just only one year and it needs all the support provided by the International Community to build a united, patriotic and non sectarian security to ensure the security of all Iraqis in order to make Iraq stable and peaceful. I am well aware that my Government is trying to do its utmost to help, assist and support all the Iraqi citizens and in particular the venerable ones including the Iraqi Christians. I am also aware that our Iraqi Christian religious leaders and the Iraqi Christian politicians, who are represented in the central and the regional Government of Kurdistan, are trying their utmost to highlight the current situation and the tragic events that the Christians of Iraq like wise the majority of Iraqis are going through."
Is there any scope for Christians in the new Iraq, and what is their role in the rebuilding of the country?
"Iraqi Christians are the seeds of the land of Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) and I do not believe that there is any force on this earth that can uproot these seeds from their ancestral land. Today the Christians of Iraq are actively engaged in the political, social, cultural and economic aspects of the new Iraq. They are represented in the Parliament, the Central Government, the regional Parliament and the Government of Kurdistan as well as in all Diplomatic Missions, therefore, the Iraqi Christians are currently into decision making capacity but on a smaller level. I can assure you that the Christians of Iraq are and will be playing a positive and important role in the efforts of building a peaceful, secular, pluralistic, democratic and federal State of Iraq. The Christians of Iraq suffered enormously during the era of the former regime and especially from the chauvinism policies of Arabization implemented by the ideology of the Baath Arab Socialist party. Assyrians and Chaldeans opposed these chauvinism policies and sided with the Iraqi National and Democratic forces including Islamic movements, Kurdish, communists, liberals and other Baathist who opposed the regime of Saddam Hussein which was based on mass executions and persecutions in order to remove it and establish the Democratic alternative in which all Iraqis regardless of their religion, culture, ethnicity and nationality be treated justly and equally in their rights as first class citizens.
Click on "leggi tutto" for the whole interview by SIR
Is there the risk of the creation of a Christian enclave in the Niniveh Plain, in the north of Iraq?
"As far as for a save enclave for the Christians in the North part of the country, and in particular for the Niniveh plane, I believe this issue has been exaggerated by the media and some self-motivated politicians as well as it has been misunderstood by some. Unfortunately, the sad events and tragic consequences of expulsion of the Iraqi Christians from their homes and the crimes committed against the Christian individuals religious authorities and the bombing of their Churches in Baghdad and Mosul by radicals has forced the Iraqi Christian religious authorities as well as the Iraqi Christian politicians to find out the best way to save and protect the interests of the Christian community, including the debating and the discussing of the constitutional rights by implementing the new Iraqi Constitution art. n° 125 in order to have administrative rights in areas of Iraq where they constitute the majority.
There is no such a plan for a separate area for Christians this is not what the majority of Christian in Iraq want. The Iraqi Christians (Assyrians, Chaldeans including Syriac and Armenians) are spread throughout Iraq from the North to the deep South and from the East to the West and have lived side by side with Muslims (Shiits and Sunnis), Arabs, Kurds and Turkmens as well as other religious groups and minorities and have shared together the good and the bad, the happy and the sad, tragic and pleasant times and events, I should hope they will be able to continue this peaceful coexistence while maintaining and implementing their constitutional rights."
As the Iraqi Ambassador to the Holy See did you discuss the situation of Iraqi Christian minority with Vatican representatives?
The Holy See and the Vatican officials are very much concerned about the plight of all Iraqis and they have a special concern for the plight of the small venerable Christian community in Iraq, which the majority belong to the Roman Catholic Church. The late Holy Father, John Paul II, and the current Great Pontiff, His Holiness Benedict XVI, have made it very clear publicly that they hold the dear Iraqi people, regardless of their religion, culture, nationality and gender, very close to their hearts. In many of my special audiences with the Holy Father, His Holiness clearly stated that, particularly during these tragic events in Iraq, he kept on praying deeply for peace and stability to Iraq and prosperity to all Iraqis. Fortunately, being the first Christian Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See, I haven’t missed a chance in highlighting the plights of all Iraqis, and I have discussed and debated with the high ranking Vatican officials the current situation and the way forward for a successful political process to the suffering of our Iraqi people. I’ve also highlighted the plight of our Iraqi people to the Arab League representatives, Islamic and non Islamic Diplomatic Missions, including Ambassadors who are accredited to the Holy See as well as the media in order to assist our young Iraqi Government of national unity in its efforts for a true dialogue and national reconciliation among all Iraqis to end the sectarian violence and to ensure the perfect environment for a lasting peace."
Many analists affirm that in Iraq priority must be given to the security issue. Do you agree with them or do you think that there are other emergencies to cope with?
The Holy See and the Vatican officials are very much concerned about the plight of all Iraqis and they have a special concern for the plight of the small venerable Christian community in Iraq, which the majority belong to the Roman Catholic Church. The late Holy Father, John Paul II, and the current Great Pontiff, His Holiness Benedict XVI, have made it very clear publicly that they hold the dear Iraqi people, regardless of their religion, culture, nationality and gender, very close to their hearts. In many of my special audiences with the Holy Father, His Holiness clearly stated that, particularly during these tragic events in Iraq, he kept on praying deeply for peace and stability to Iraq and prosperity to all Iraqis. Fortunately, being the first Christian Ambassador of the Republic of Iraq to the Holy See, I haven’t missed a chance in highlighting the plights of all Iraqis, and I have discussed and debated with the high ranking Vatican officials the current situation and the way forward for a successful political process to the suffering of our Iraqi people. I’ve also highlighted the plight of our Iraqi people to the Arab League representatives, Islamic and non Islamic Diplomatic Missions, including Ambassadors who are accredited to the Holy See as well as the media in order to assist our young Iraqi Government of national unity in its efforts for a true dialogue and national reconciliation among all Iraqis to end the sectarian violence and to ensure the perfect environment for a lasting peace."
Many analists affirm that in Iraq priority must be given to the security issue. Do you agree with them or do you think that there are other emergencies to cope with?
"I would definitely believe that security is the most important and essential issue at this moment. In order to have a secured Iraq we need to have a strong and reliable security force that will ensure the protection of the Iraqi borders in order to prevent terrorists from entering into Iraq and murdering innocent civilians and create havoc by terrorising the Iraqi citizens in order to prevent our Government’s efforts of reconstruction. It is essential that the International community should provide more concrete assistance to our young Iraqi Government as well as make our security forces well equipped with the latest strong and powerful equipments to ensure their ability to counter and prevent the elements of darkness including terrorists from achieving their evil agenda in Iraq and be able to destroy the daily life of our Iraqi people. We need better sharing intelligence information with our Government and the intelligence agencies of the neighbouring countries in order to coordinate all efforts to deal a major blow and destroy the enemies of the Iraqi people and Middle East. I seriously believe that the multinational forces in Iraq, including the United States of America’s commands, should coordinate its operations whether political or military with our Government and prior to any action our Government should be well informed in advance i.e. with prior agreement with our Government and politic leadership in Iraq."
In the media news from Iraq are of violence and attacks, do you think there is something that the media don't report and that deserves to be known?
In the media news from Iraq are of violence and attacks, do you think there is something that the media don't report and that deserves to be known?
"The media has, unfortunately, concentrated its efforts to publicize the negative aspects of what is happening inside Iraq. They continuously highlighted the propaganda campaign of the evil terrorist and murderous groups who are trying tirelessly to destabilize our Government’s efforts of national reconciliation. I truly believe that the media hasn’t been fair enough and courageous enough to find out through it’s own fact finding missions to report on positive and democratic changes in Iraq since the toppling of the old regime. In today’s Iraq we have the freedom of speech, the freedom of expression of political views and opinions, the freedom of Assembly, the freedom of demonstrations, the freedom of creating political opposition which they did not exist during Saddam’s regime. The salaries of the Iraqis are dramatically increased, there is the free economic market in which almost everything is available in shops and supermarkets, the restriction of preventing Iraqis from travelling has been lifted, Iraqis today are able to travel within Iraq outside Iraq and coming back to Iraq whenever they like. Currently in Iraq there are hundreds of newspapers and unrestricted free satellite channels representing all segments of the society as well as the open market in which the business opportunity for all Iraqis is granted without discrimination. Many projects have been implemented in Iraq in particular in its safe parts. Several reconstruction plans are part of our Government’s plan which will benefit all Iraqis but implementing these plans and projects is very slow due to the counter efforts of the evil forces of darkness, this is why emphasize on the issue of security which is essential and priority. In Iraqi Kurdistan region the regional Government is positively reshaping the one ignored important part of Iraq by the old regime, and the regional Government of Kurdistan is implementing the rebuilding and reconstruction of the region which benefits all the people in Kurdistan who and are living in peace and harmony, practising their constitutional rights freely without the fear of being persecuted or arrested for expressing or demanding their rights within the framework of the rule of the law. I sincerely hope that this positive experience in Iraqi Kurdistan will be expanded to all parts of Iraq eventually."
After the meeting of May 28, on July 24 there was in Baghdad the one between the ambassadors of Iran and USA. What constribution can a stable Iraq give to the Middle East?
After the meeting of May 28, on July 24 there was in Baghdad the one between the ambassadors of Iran and USA. What constribution can a stable Iraq give to the Middle East?
"Iran is a very important neighbour with great cultural, social and religious ties with the majority of the Iraqi society, therefore I believe that the relations with our neighbour, the Islamic Republic of Iran, should be as normal and stable as possible, based on mutual respect and non interference policies in the internal affairs of each other. I also believe that Iraq and Iran should be engaged in close economic tie which will be on mutual benefits to both States and its peoples. I certainly believe that the normal relations between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran will have a positive impact on the political, social and economic aspects in Iraq and an effective and positive outcome will be achieved not only to the Iraqi and Iranian peoples but to the whole region as well as to the United States of America’s interests. The former Iraqi regime tried hard to destroy the normal relations with Iran as a country and the historic ties with the Iranian people. As a matter of fact the former regime of Saddam Hussein left Iraq isolated and normal relations with Iraq’s neighbours did not exist during its time. I also sincerely believe that a stable and peaceful Iraq with fraternal relations with all its neighbours will be beneficial to the stability and the peaceful coexistence among all the countries in Middle East and it will help further the peace process in Middle East in particular between Arab, Islamic States and the State of Israel. "