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CONGRESSWOMAN ESHOO URGES BUSH, CONGRESSIONAL MEMBERS TO PROTECT IRAQ'S CHRISTIAN POPULATION
Assyrian International News Agency
June 13 2007
(AINA) -- In two letters, one to congressional members and the other to
President Bush, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (14th district, California)
urges her colleagues and the President to protect Iraq's Christian
Assyrian population.
Dear Colleague:
I'm writing to ask you to join me in sending the attached letter
to President Bush urging him to take seriously the deep concerns
expressed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for Iraq's indigenous
Christian Population. As a proud Assyrian-American, I trace my heritage
to this population which includes Chaldeans, Jacobites, Armenians,
Assyrians and Greek Orthodox Christians. Iraq's indigenous Christian
population represents the oldest surviving Christian population in the
world and one that, without help during this time of great insecurity,
could be on the brink of extinction.
While Christians comprise 5% of Iraq's population, they have accounted
for nearly 40% of the refugees fleeing Iraq in recent years, according
to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A recent CRS
report estimates there are as many as 2 million refugees who have
fled Iraq to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt and the West since
2003, many of whom encounter unwelcoming governments. It is a tragic
situation that has brought significant media attention and must
be addressed.
Despite the well-documented reports of persecution facing this
population, Iraqi Christians continue to be targeted for kidnappings,
bombings, assassinations and other acts of violence largely due to
their religious practices and beliefs. Pope Benedict highlighted the
worsening conditions in his discussions with President Bush, warning
that an Iraq is emerging that does not tolerate the Christian religion.
I urge you to join me in writing to President Bush to encourage him
to heed Pope Benedict's counsel and work with our allies to protect
the welfare of the endangered Iraqi Christian population. For more
information, or to sign on, you can contact Tim Carey of my office
at 225-8104 or [email protected].
Gratefully, Anna G. Eshoo Member of Congress
The Honorable George W. Bush, President The White House 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President,
As Members of Congress who share the concerns of His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI for the welfare of Iraq's Christian population, we are
writing to express our gratitude for your attention to this critical
humanitarian issue, and to urge you heed the Pope's urgent advice
and devote increased resources toward ensuring the welfare of the
endangered Iraqi Christian population.
In the years since the fall of Saddam Hussein's tyrannical regime,
Iraqi Christians, largely residing in the Nineveh Plain of Northern
Iraq, have diligently supported U.S. and coalition efforts to develop
a democratic, pluralistic state in Iraq. Unfortunately, despite their
high level of cooperation, constant reports of unspeakable violence
and persecution demonstrate beyond a doubt that the general security
and development needs of Iraqi Christians are not being met.
As a small minority within the Iraqi population, Iraqi Christians have
neither a strong voice in Iraqi national politics nor the resources
necessary to deter the constant harassment and violence perpetrated
by radicalized ethno-religious factions surrounding them.
This persistent state of insecurity has led to a mass exodus as
disproportionately high numbers of Iraqi Christians flee their homes
to find safe haven as refugees in foreign lands. According to the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Christians today make
up only 3% of Iraq's population, but nearly 40% of the total number
of refugees fleeing Iraq. As Pope Benedict cautioned in your recent
discussions, we are seeing the birth of an Iraq that does not tolerate
the Christian religion.
It's estimated that as many as half the Iraqi Christian population has
already left since 2003, with thousands more internally displaced
within Iraq. Most often those who leave the country encounter
governments not willing to receive them. This is a tragic situation
that requires a comprehensive and assertive response, both to resolve
the issues myriad facing the displaced, and to adequately provide for
the safety of those remaining in Iraq. Without a drastic improvement
in the current situation we may well witness the complete loss of the
Iraqi indigenous Christian community, a community that has survived
in the region for over 2,000 years.
If a fully-functioning and sustainable democracy is to emerge in Iraq
it's critical the rights of minority groups are protected. We share
Pope Benedict's grave concern, and urge you to increase efforts to
work with our allies to improve the welfare and security of Iraq's
indigenous Christian population.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to working with
you on this critical issue.
Sincerely, Tim Carey Deputy Legislative Director Office of Rep. Anna
G. Eshoo.
Assyrian International News Agency
June 13 2007
(AINA) -- In two letters, one to congressional members and the other to
President Bush, Congresswoman Anna Eshoo (14th district, California)
urges her colleagues and the President to protect Iraq's Christian
Assyrian population.
Dear Colleague:
I'm writing to ask you to join me in sending the attached letter
to President Bush urging him to take seriously the deep concerns
expressed by His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI for Iraq's indigenous
Christian Population. As a proud Assyrian-American, I trace my heritage
to this population which includes Chaldeans, Jacobites, Armenians,
Assyrians and Greek Orthodox Christians. Iraq's indigenous Christian
population represents the oldest surviving Christian population in the
world and one that, without help during this time of great insecurity,
could be on the brink of extinction.
While Christians comprise 5% of Iraq's population, they have accounted
for nearly 40% of the refugees fleeing Iraq in recent years, according
to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. A recent CRS
report estimates there are as many as 2 million refugees who have
fled Iraq to Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iran, Egypt and the West since
2003, many of whom encounter unwelcoming governments. It is a tragic
situation that has brought significant media attention and must
be addressed.
Despite the well-documented reports of persecution facing this
population, Iraqi Christians continue to be targeted for kidnappings,
bombings, assassinations and other acts of violence largely due to
their religious practices and beliefs. Pope Benedict highlighted the
worsening conditions in his discussions with President Bush, warning
that an Iraq is emerging that does not tolerate the Christian religion.
I urge you to join me in writing to President Bush to encourage him
to heed Pope Benedict's counsel and work with our allies to protect
the welfare of the endangered Iraqi Christian population. For more
information, or to sign on, you can contact Tim Carey of my office
at 225-8104 or [email protected].
Gratefully, Anna G. Eshoo Member of Congress
The Honorable George W. Bush, President The White House 1600
Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, D.C. 20500 Dear Mr. President,
As Members of Congress who share the concerns of His Holiness Pope
Benedict XVI for the welfare of Iraq's Christian population, we are
writing to express our gratitude for your attention to this critical
humanitarian issue, and to urge you heed the Pope's urgent advice
and devote increased resources toward ensuring the welfare of the
endangered Iraqi Christian population.
In the years since the fall of Saddam Hussein's tyrannical regime,
Iraqi Christians, largely residing in the Nineveh Plain of Northern
Iraq, have diligently supported U.S. and coalition efforts to develop
a democratic, pluralistic state in Iraq. Unfortunately, despite their
high level of cooperation, constant reports of unspeakable violence
and persecution demonstrate beyond a doubt that the general security
and development needs of Iraqi Christians are not being met.
As a small minority within the Iraqi population, Iraqi Christians have
neither a strong voice in Iraqi national politics nor the resources
necessary to deter the constant harassment and violence perpetrated
by radicalized ethno-religious factions surrounding them.
This persistent state of insecurity has led to a mass exodus as
disproportionately high numbers of Iraqi Christians flee their homes
to find safe haven as refugees in foreign lands. According to the
United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Christians today make
up only 3% of Iraq's population, but nearly 40% of the total number
of refugees fleeing Iraq. As Pope Benedict cautioned in your recent
discussions, we are seeing the birth of an Iraq that does not tolerate
the Christian religion.
It's estimated that as many as half the Iraqi Christian population has
already left since 2003, with thousands more internally displaced
within Iraq. Most often those who leave the country encounter
governments not willing to receive them. This is a tragic situation
that requires a comprehensive and assertive response, both to resolve
the issues myriad facing the displaced, and to adequately provide for
the safety of those remaining in Iraq. Without a drastic improvement
in the current situation we may well witness the complete loss of the
Iraqi indigenous Christian community, a community that has survived
in the region for over 2,000 years.
If a fully-functioning and sustainable democracy is to emerge in Iraq
it's critical the rights of minority groups are protected. We share
Pope Benedict's grave concern, and urge you to increase efforts to
work with our allies to improve the welfare and security of Iraq's
indigenous Christian population.
Thank you for your attention, and we look forward to working with
you on this critical issue.
Sincerely, Tim Carey Deputy Legislative Director Office of Rep. Anna
G. Eshoo.