Assyrian delegation meets Senator McCain in Phoenix,
Arizona. (AINA). Former Republican presidential candidate and
current Senator from Arizona, John McCain, sent a letter to Kurdish President
Massoud Barzani regarding Assyrians in the Kurdish region in north Iraq. In the
letter, dated May 25, McCain expresses "...concerns regarding alarming new
reports that allege the mistreatment of the Christian Assyrian community in the
Nineveh Plains region by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG)." Senator
McCain states in the letter that "...it remains essential to not only
protect, but also respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of the Assyrian
community and similarly vulnerable peoples in Iraq."
Two Assyrian groups in Arizona met with Senator McCain,
who is the current Chairman of the Senate Committee on Armed Services, and his
staff in Phoenix.
The first delegation met directly with Senator McCain on
May 7. The meeting was organized by Sam Darmo, an Assyrian resident of Phoenix.
The Assyrian delegation included Sam Darmo, Bishop Aprem Khamis, Archdeacon
Frederick Hermiz, Henry Benjamin, Timothy Elias and Mona K. Oshana.
The delegation discussed the plight of the Assyrians in
the Middle East, particularly Iraq and Syria, as well as the condition of
Assyrians in Kurdish controlled areas in north Iraq. The delegation called
attention to Kurdish expropriation of Assyrian lands (AINA 2016-04-14,
2016-05-09), preventing freedom of movement of Assyrians, denying basic
services and confiscation of weapons (AINA 2014-08-14).
Related: Timeline of ISIS in Iraq
Related: Attacks on Assyrians in Syria By ISIS and Other
Muslim Groups
Senator McCain stated in the letter:
...I was troubled by their reports that the KRG has
denied basic services to the Assyrian community, prevented their freedom of
movement and assembly, and confiscated weapons desperately needed to defend the
community from the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Of further
concern were their reports of land confiscation and statements you have made
regarding Kurdish territorial claims to the Nineveh Plains region. I hope you
will address these allegations and I ask for your clarification on these
important issues.
Mr. Darmo briefed Senator McCain on the current military
situation facing the Assyrians in Iraq, including the battle with ISIS in the
Assyrian town of Telsquf, in which Navy Seal Charlie Keating, an Arizona
native, was killed and four Assyrians wounded (AINA 2016-05-18).
On March 14 the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously
passed House Resolution 75 , sponsored by Jeff Fortenberry and other members of
Congress, that recognized ISIS crimes against Assyrians and Yazidis as
genocide. The equivalent Senate resolution 340 requires minor changes to align
the language with the House resolution. Mrs. Mona K Oshana urged the Senator to
make the necessary changes in the language. Both the Senator and his staff
assured the delegation this issue would immediately be addressed.
On March 17 the U.S. State Department recognized the
crimes of ISIS against Assyrians and Yazidis as genocide.
On May 12th a second delegation met with Senator McCain's
staff to discuss a variety of issues concerning the Assyrian-American
community. The delegation was from the Assyrian American Cultural Organization
of Arizona (AACO), and included President Ashor Bet Chamoun, Vice-President
Alan Mooshekh and Director Dan Khamis.
The delegation called attention to abuses perpetrated
against Assyrians in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. In consonance with the
delegation of Assyrian American National Federation affiliates who met in
Washington in May (AINA 2016-05-18) and the first Assyrian delegation, the AACO
delegation stressed the importance of establishing an internationally protected
Safe Haven for Assyrians and other minorities in Iraq, U.S. support for
Assyrian NGOs in Iraq, and for U.S. leaders to address the Kurdistan Regional Government
on its abuses against Assyrians in Northern Iraq.
Here is the full text of Senator McCain's letter:
President Massoud Barzani,
I write to you to express my concerns regarding alarming
new reports that allege the mistreatment of the Christian Assyrian community in
the Nineveh Plains region by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG). Despite
heightened political instability and violence in the region, it remains
essential to not only protect, but also respect the fundamental rights and
freedoms of the Assyrian community and similarly vulnerable peoples in Iraq.
I recently had the pleasure to meet with the Christian
Assyrian community in Phoenix, Arizona, many of whom have relatives and loved
ones living in Iraq, and they expressed their collective concerns regarding the
treatment of Christians in Northern Iraq. While listening to their testimony, I
was troubled by their reports that the KRG has denied basic services to the
Assyrian community, prevented their freedom of movement and assembly, and confiscated
weapons desperately needed to defend the community from the Islamic State of
Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). Of further concern were their reports of land
confiscation and statements you have made regarding Kurdish territorial claims
to the Nineveh Plains region. I hope you will address these allegations and I
ask for your clarification on these important issues.
The Christian Assyrian community has a long history in
Iraq and they have contributed significantly to the country's unique social
fabric. They deserve the same rights and protection as other groups and
minority communities in the region, including the Kurdish community. Therefore,
I encourage you and your government to respect and protect their fundamental
rights and freedom, and work with local Assyrian community leaders on communal
governance initiatives.
The United States deeply values its strong relationship
with the KRG and Peshmerga forces, and we are proud to provide assistance to
your government including up to $480 million for food, fuel, medical supplies
and stipends for Peshmerga fighters as well as two brigade sets of equipment.
The Peshmerga forces have been instrumental in the fight against ISIL, and the
KRG has routinely proven itself a reliable ally. But as ISIL continues to threaten
our collective security, we cannot afford to endanger our partnership through
actions that could undermine the shared values at its foundation. I hope you
will work towards a more cooperative relationship with the Christian Assyrian
community and honor the commitment you made to protect the Assyrians and
similarly vulnerable peoples in the Nineveh Plains. I look forward to
continuing my support for your government's efforts and working with you to
fulfill our collective humanitarian obligations.
Sincerely,
John McCain
United States Senator
Mona K. Oshana contributed reporting.
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