His Beatitude Ignace Joseph III Younan, 65, sent the letter on Wednesday to Nouri al-Maliki, decrying the murder of Christians in Mosul, northern Iraq.
Eight Christians have been killed in 10 days, while others are leaving the area where their families have lived for 2,000 years in order to flee for safety.
The patriarch affirmed: "While we write you, our hearts bleed over the tragic news we receive every day from Mosul, where Christians constantly suffer the attacks of 'unknown' criminals.
"They are murdered, massacred, threatened on the streets, in schools and even in their homes for the fact of belonging to a religion that is different from that of the majority of inhabitants of the city."
The above is from Zenit's "Iraqi Government Accused of Complicity in Murders" which, as per usual with the targeting of Christians in Mosul, has resulted in no governmental action. Nouri's announced a 'probe.' He announces that every time, doesn't he? Have his probes ever turned up anything? Nope. Not a thing. Again Iraqi-Christians are being persecuted in Mosul and again they're having to flee because no protection is provided for them. Spero News reports that Christians and supporters will march in tomorrow ("Bishops, priests, religious, and lay people") and quotes Archbishop Georges Casmoussa stating, "The march will take place in Mosul and in a dozen Christian towns and villages of the surrounding territory. The community is shocked and wants to draw the attention of the authorities who so far have done nothing to stop this killing. The march has no political or electoral motives, only religious ones. The Christians want to stay in Iraq and live their faith in peace."
Meanwhile the country gears up for their elections -- voting begins March 5th and end March 7th. We'll note two releases in this entry from the Ahrar Political Party. This one first:
Ayad Jamal Aldin reinforces Ahrar's electoral credentials on al-Sumaria tonight
On a rising tide of public support, Ahrar Party Leader Ayad Jamal Aldin reinforces Ahrar's electoral credentials on al-Sumaria's prestigious programme 'You Decide' tonight at 20:40 AST.
Jamal Aldin presents Ahrar's comprehensive plans to deliver water, jobs, electricity and security under the next Iraqi parliament and appeals directly to the people of Iraq to force that change.
Following other senior political figures and leaders on the prime time show, Ayad Jamal Aldin urges the Iraqi people to remember that they alone can force the change that Iraq so urgently needs, as they alone will be in the voting booth on March 7.
For further information, contact:
Ahrar Media Bureau
Tel: +964 (0)790 157 4478 / +964 (0)790 157 4479 / +964 (0)771 275 2942
press@ahrarparty.com
About Ayad Jamal Aldin:
Ayad Jamal Aldin is a cleric, best known for his consistent campaigning for a new, secular Iraq. He first rose to prominence at the Nasiriyah conference in March 2003, shortly before the fall of Saddam, where he called for a state free of religion, the turban and other theological symbols. In 2005, he was elected as one of the 25 MPs on the Iraqi National List, but withdrew in 2009 after becoming disenchanted with Iyad Allawi's overtures to Iran. He wants complete independence from Iranian interference in Iraq. He now leads the Ahrar party for the 2010 election to the Council of Representatives, to clean up corruption and create a strong, secure and liberated Iraq for the future.
Ayad Jamal Aldin is only one candidate vying for votes. Ernesto Londono and Leila Fadel (Washington Post) report on one-time CIA asset Ahmed Chalabi's efforts to come out on top:
On the eve of Iraq's parliamentary elections, Chalabi is driving an effort aimed at weeding out candidates tied to Saddam Hussein's Baath Party. Chalabi is reprising a role he played after the U.S.-led invasion -- which many critics believe he helped facilitate with faulty intelligence -- and, in the process, is infuriating American officials and some Iraqis, who suspect his motive is to bolster his own political bloc.
Chalabi, a Shiite, has defended the work of the commission he is leading as legal and crucial during a period of transition to Iraq's first sovereign government. But his reemergence on the political scene has rankled U.S. officials and fueled concerns that Sunnis and other secular Iraqis will be marginalized.
Some Iraqi and U.S. officials think Chalabi might have his eyes on the ultimate prize, however unlikely he can attain it.
If the rumors of the deal he struck with Iran supposedly guaranteeing him the prime ministership are true, does that mean that Jordan could still extradite him for the crimes he's been convicted of in that country? On the candidates in general, Laith Hammoudi (McClatchy Newspapers' Inside Iraq) observes:
Suddenly, our politicians talk only about the people suffering. They all talk about the lack of services, lack of electricity, the housing crisis, the unemployment crisis and the security issues. Suddenly, most of them who were gaining millions during the last four years started thinking about the financial situation of the poor families who never dreamed of earning even one million Iraqi Dinars ($850). Suddenly, many politicians started visting the rural areas and meeting the innocent poor who were begging for a visit by one of the officials to listen to them or to tell him about a sewage problem or lack of drinking water or the absence of any medical services.
Marc Santora (New York Times) reports on Sunnis in Baquba who intend to cast votes even though some have arrest warrants pending and one Sunni candidate in the area was just arrested. Sami Dawoud Salman states, "If the government does not change, there will be a problem between the Sunni and the Shia, and it will not be good." Al Jazeera notes Shi'ite cleri Ali al-Sistani has issued an edict for clerics to stay out of the political races and not do endorsements. Hannah Allam (Miami Herald) reports on reactions in Baghdad to the political posters:
Analyzing, judging and - especially - mocking all this posturing has become a national pastime as Iraqis prepare to vote on March 7. Not only a way to needle the political elite, it's much safer for ordinary Iraqis to make fun of the 6,000 or so candidates than it is for them to voice their opinions on the issues: securing the nation, religious vs. nationalist agendas, rampant corruption, the lack of basic services and a dismal economy.
"Everyone puts his photo up with a very nice motto, but they're already in the government, so why haven't they implemented these mottos? It's all lies," said Ali Falah, 27, who's unemployed. "I was walking with my wife, and raindrops were falling on posters for a cleric. I told her, 'Wipe his face, he's crying.' She wiped his face with the edge of her sleeve until it was smudged."
Cheeky opponents of Ahmad Chalabi, the onetime U.S. ally and perennially controversial Shiite Muslim politician, are sending out e-mails of a faux poster with Chalabi's face superimposed on an ad for the classic 1940 film, "The Thief of Baghdad."
Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, also a Shiite, is another frequent target. One of al-Maliki's campaign posters shows him standing shoulder to shoulder with the education minister. The men are wearing matching gray suits. The joke on the street: "Which one's the groom?"
Early voting begins March 5th but most voting will take place March 7th. They will be voting in Iraq and, due to the refugee population, in 16 other countries. Again from the Ahrar Party:
The Ahrar Party launched two new ads this week which explain how under Ahrar security, jobs, electricity and water would be brought to Iraq.
In the ads, the leader of Ahrar, Ayad Jamal Aldin, tells young Iraqis that Iraq's future is in their hands.
He says that Ahrar would sign contracts to ensure that there is a water purification network and electricity for all homes. These programmes, and others like them, would create 1 million new jobs for Iraq's young people.
Ayad Jamal Aldin said: "It is important that we get our message out to the people of Iraq. The government has lost control and it has been taken over by corrupters and outsiders intent on dividing and destroying Iraq.
"Iraq's young people are full of energy, ideas and aspirations. We must encourage them to stand up and fulfill their potential.
"On March 7 the Iraqi people face a choice - they can vote for more of the same - outsiders, corrupters, and more violence in the streets. Or they can vote for change - bringing security and jobs for our young people. A vote for Ahrar is a vote for change."
---
Watch the first ad here.
Read the transcript below:
VO: The corrupters have only one plan - to continue looting Iraq. The Iraqi Ayad Jamal Aldin has his plan for Iraq.
This is Ahrar's plan.
After extensive studies we got the best practical solutions,
We will start launching this plan by signing contracts with the world's best companies and obtaining the world's best expertise to build Iraq.
To construct the best power plant stations and supplying electricity to all homes.
To develop and construct networks for water purification, irrigation and drinking with the latest technology.
To support our air and military forces by developing and supplying them with the latest equipment for the sake of protecting our beloved Iraq.
These contracts will guarantee our young people more than one million job opportunities.
You have to choose.
VO: Either corruption and quotas or Ahrar's plan.
---
Watch the second ad here.
Read the transcript below:
VO: The Iraqi Ayad Jamal Aldin
What did the Government offer to the citizen?
Electricity? Water? Jobs? Or Security?
Of course the corrupt government only offers corruption,
You, the young people are Iraq's future.
Choose new leaders with new people and a clean government.
We are rich with our ideas and resources.
Let the young people take their chances to run the country.
Young Iraqis, be united. It is your time, it is your day.
You have to choose.
VO: Ahrar list 374
For further information, contact:
Ahrar Media Bureau
Tel: +964 (0)790 157 4478 / +964 (0)790 157 4479 / +964 (0)771 275 2942
press@ahrarparty.com
About Ayad Jamal Aldin:
Ayad Jamal Aldin is a cleric, best known for his consistent campaigning for a new, secular Iraq. He first rose to prominence at the Nasiriyah conference in March 2003, shortly before the fall of Saddam, where he called for a state free of religion, the turban and other theological symbols. In 2005, he was elected as one of the 25 MPs on the Iraqi National List, but withdrew in 2009 after becoming disenchanted with Iyad Allawi's overtures to Iran. He wants complete independence from Iranian interference in Iraq. He now leads the Ahrar party for the 2010 election to the Council of Representatives, to clean up corruption and create a strong, secure and liberated Iraq for the future.
We'll note this from ETAN:
ETAN To Obama Administration: U.S. military assistance will harm reform and set back human rights
Contact: John M. Miller, East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN),
+1-718-596-7668; 917-690-4391, etan@etan.org
February 27 - The East Timor and Indonesia Action Network (ETAN) today urged the Obama administration not to offer increased military assistance to Indonesia.
"U.S. military assistance harms reform and sets back human rights accountability in Indonesia," said John M. Miller, National Coordinator of ETAN.
Testifying before a U.S. Senate committee this week ( video), Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton talked about expanded cooperation with the Indonesian military, including in the area of counter-terrorism. The Obama administration is currently considering offering resumed cooperation with Indonesia's Kopassus notorious special forces when the President visits the country next month.
Clinton said while seeking to expand security cooperation "We are looking at ensuring... there is no resumption of any human rights abuses or other kinds of behavior that we deplore."
"Clinton's remarks imply that Indonesian military human rights violations are a thing of the past. They aren't," said Miller.
"The best way to prevent future violations is to hold accountable those responsible for the multitude of human rights crimes committed by the Indonesian military in East Timor (Timor-Leste), West Papua, and elsewhere. Many of these crimes occurred while the U.S. was most deeply engaged with the Indonesian military providing the bulk of its weapons and training," he added.
"While Indonesia has made progress in many areas since the fall of Suharto, reform of the military has stalled. The shedding of military businesses has become a farce. And the military continues to resist efforts to bring soldiers and former soldiers into court for rights violations," said Miller
"Restrictions on military assistance provide important leverage to encourage accountability and reform," he added.
Secretary of State Clinton also spoke about Indonesia's successful counter-terrorism efforts. In Indonesia, the police have the major role in this area. "U.S. support for greater Indonesian military involvement will only undercut the police, strengthen the military internal, territorial role and further undermine reform," he said.
"Working with the military on counter-terrorism means working with Kopassus," said Miller.
BACKGROUND
For many years, the U.S. Congress conditioned military assistance to Indonesia on reform, respect for human rights and real accountability. In 2005, when the Bush administration waived those restrictions, it pledged to "carefully calibrate" any security assistance to promote reform and human rights. Neither the Bush administration nor its successor have published any such plan.
At a recent UN Security Council meeting on Timor-Leste, the U.S. representative said that "We are, however, concerned about the need to address impunity.... We also encourage Timor-Leste to support the recommendations of the Commission for Truth and Reconciliation." One recommendation of Commission for Reception, Truth and Reconciliation in East Timor (CAVR) calls on States [to] regulate military sales and cooperation with Indonesia more effectively and make such support totally conditional on progress towards full democratisation, the subordination of the military to the rule of law and civilian government, and strict adherence with international human rights, including respect for the right of self-determination.
ETAN was formed in 1991 to advocate for self-determination for occupied East Timor. The U.S.-based organization continues to advocate for democracy, justice and human rights for Timor-Leste and Indonesia. For more information, see ETAN's web site: http://www.etan.org.
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John M. Miller, National Coordinator
East Timor & Indonesia Action Network (ETAN)
PO Box 21873, Brooklyn, NY 11202-1873 USA
Phone: (718)596-7668 Mobile phone: (917)690-4391
Email john@etan.org; Mobile phone: (917)690-4391 Skype: john.m.miller
Web site: http://www.etan.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/etan009
Facebook: http://apps.facebook.com/causes/134122?recruiter_id=10193810
Kat's latest music review goes up after this. The e-mail address for this site is common_ills@yahoo.com.
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