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Iraqi Prime Minister Supports Assyrian Christians in Iraq

by Michael Ireland


TOKYO, JAPAN (ANS) -- Assyrian Christians in Iraq have made a formal request for a Province of their own inside the war-torn country, and many see this as the only way to persuade thousands of refugees outside the country to return.

The Assyrian Province, under the same legal framework as neighboring Kurdistan, is seen as a key to bring the Northern part of Iraq into stability.

In a wide-ranging, exclusive interview in Tokyo for ANS with Ken Joseph Jr., Iraqi President Nouri al Malaki affirmed the Assyrian Christians' right to have a Province of their own, which could be provided for under the Iraqi Constitution.

Malaki said: "I have a bias towards the Assyrian Christians. They are the indigenous people of our country and our most nationalist and good people."

He added: "We want them to be inside the country and active and able to retake their rights. We will do all we can to help them. At the same time, if they feel they need an area, a province of their own as the Constitution provides, I support this fully"

Reacting to large numbers of refugees in neighboring countries, Malaki said: "We do not consider them refugees. They are displaced, and we are doing all we can to create a situation where they can return. They are our responsibility and we do not need help from others to take them in -- they will return home."

Malaki was addressing questions concerning the minorities, many of whom are in neighboring, countries including an estimated nearly 500,000 Assyrian Christians

During the interview, Malaki appeared upbeat about the future of his country in contrast to the daily bad news coming out of Iraq.

"I fully understand why bad news makes the news," Malaki said. "It is the nature of the world we live in. At the same time, I think it is important to let the world know that things in our country are improving dramatically.

"Our unemployment rate has gone from nearly 70 percent to now under 30 percent. Our most recent growth rate was 3 percent and we have seen, in particular as a result of the recent Baghdad program, a dramatic drop in so- called sectarian violence."

Speaking through an interpreter, but often breaking in to confirm a comment, Malaki addressed several issues pertaining to the situation in Iraq.

"What is particularly encouraging to me is the changes we have seen in our security forces and the trust from our people once again. We are finally seeing individual citizens provide information to our forces, which has changed the situation dramatically in rooting out those who are determined to ruin our country."

Malaki stressed three key goals. National Reconciliation, Economic Development and Expanded Security as the way forward.

"In spite of much information to the contrary, we are seeing a return to the Iraq we all once knew when we considered ourselves all Iraqis and not belonging to a particular sect or group," he said.

"Recently we have brought back large numbers of former members of the Ba'ath Party who were not involved in any problems in the past and this has significantly helped to bring our people together,

"Economic development is taking place at a good rate. Part of the reason we are here is to encourage even more investment into our country. The monthly income of our people has gone from about $20 a month to now over $200. The dramatic rise in electrical use is one good sign that the economy is taking off. The stores are full."

At the same time, Malaki saw security as the major concern going forward. "We need good and reliable security and we are doing all we can to expand the security forces so they can take charge. The key is the trust between the people and the security forces. This is where we have seen the most progress," he said.

Describing the current military situation as "moving from sectarian to outside interference," Malaki stressed that the so called Baghdad Plan was working. "We are seeing a dramatic drop in the sectarian conflicts and see our major challenge as that from the outside including Al Quaida and remainders of the Ba'athist groups." he said.

"I think we are the only country in the region with a Human Rights Ministry -- we have suffered much in the past, all of us, and the Human Rights Ministry is dedicated to rooting out all forms of abuse. It is a positive sign."

Reacting to the question of a timetable, Malaki strongly objected saying "There is no timetable for the Multinational forces to leave. We are working together with our friends to bring security under control. The only timetable is that of our forces and our nation as a whole being able to assume responsibility for our situation."

Commenting on the death of Saddam Hussein, Malaki said: "In the end he was charged only for the deaths of a hundred people. He should have been charged for the deaths of the hundreds of thousands he really killed. We gave him a long and fair trial. It is unfortunate that pictures of his death were shown, but we are not used to doing this and we have learned a lot."

With daily flights from many parts of Europe and the Middle East, Iraq is slowly returning to a more normal state. At the same time, the Prime Minister was clear that any discussion of timetables for withdrawl of Multinational Forces would be disastrous.

"In the end we will be able to take care of ourselves. Meanwhile, we need the help of our friends to stand against those who want to harm us."

Following the interview the atmosphere in the room was heavy, and tears were in the eyes of all present as the suffering of those who, although now in power, had suffered terribly under Saddam Hussein came to the fore.

Malaki was asked "Do you mind if we pray for you?" This question elicited a quiet, "Please," and all in the room bowed in prayer as they held the Prime Minister's hand and asked God to do a miracle in the land of Abraham.