California Courier Online, August 5, 2004
1 – Commentary
Armenians: Latest Victims of Bush
Administration’s War in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
California Courier Publisher
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2 – Demirjian Introduces Book on Armenian
American Veterans to Fresno Audience
3 – Fresno’s First Annual AECP Dinner
Benefits Armenians with Eye Disease
4 – Elephant From India
Will be Airlifted
To Yerevan Zoo
5 – AGBU-AYA Basketball
Clinic Held in Pasadena
6 – APN-WD to Host JAA’s Top
Students at Diocese Complex
7 – Hagopian’s Film to be Featured
At Rhode Island Festival, Aug. 12
8- Steering Committee Formed for
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
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1 – Commentary
Armenians: Latest Victims of Bush
Administration’s War in Iraq
By Harut Sassounian
Publisher, The California Courier
During the past two years, the Bush Administration kept changing the
reasons why it invaded Iraq. The war had nothing to do with weapons of mass
destruction or bringing democracy to Iraq. It was simply based on a lie
concocted by Pres. Bush’s neo-conservative aides (neo-cons) who had plotted
to dominate the Middle East long before September 11, 2001. They used the
9/11 attacks as the excuse to implement their long-cherished, not so secret
plan.
After a relatively easy invasion of Iraq, the American troops got bogged
down in the ensuing chaos. Sadly, more than 900 U.S. soldiers sacrificed
their lives for the sinister agenda of the neo-cons who had concentrated
all of their attention on going to war, but had paid little attention to
having an exit strategy. They did not need one, because they had planned to
stay there a very long time.
To make matters worse, the Americans removed along with Saddam, the way of
life (no matter how bad it was) that most Iraqis had gotten accustomed to.
Unfortunately, certain segments of Iraqi society are worse off now, after
being “liberated.” Women now are subjected to abuse and physical attacks if
they do not dress modestly and cover their faces in public. The owners of
liquor stores are now targets of assassination for violating the Islamic
ban on alcoholic drinks. Most Christians freely worshipped in their
churches. Now they are blown up during church service.
If the real purpose of the neo-cons were to remove Saddam from power, there
are many more countries that have similar brutal leaders. Is the Bush
Administration going to spend billions of more dollars and risk the lives
of thousands of more U.S. soldiers under the guise of bringing democracy to
all these countries? Furthermore, even if the Administration were foolish
enough to attempt such a thing, the chaos and the violence that it would
unleash would be just as bad as the inhuman conditions that these people
live under now.
Last Sunday, for the first time, an Armenian church full of worshippers was
attacked in Baghdad. It goes without saying that the real culprits are the
terrorists who blew up that sanctuary along with five other Christian
churches in various parts of the country. However, a degree of the
responsibility for the deaths and destruction also falls on those who
removed the “Butcher of Baghdad” without caring for the consequences of
their actions on the innocent people that they ostensibly were trying to
“liberate.”
The sad truth is that those who decided to invade Iraq, contrary to their
lofty pronouncements, were not interested at all in the welfare of the
local people. The innocent Iraqi-Armenian worshippers who were injured in
that church last Sunday, regrettably, became their latest victims.
Democrats Launch Kerry-Edwards Campaign
I attended the Democratic National Convention in Boston, last week. It was
very exciting to be with thousands of screaming delegates, hundreds of
distinguished political figures, and many celebrities. There were dozens of
speeches to listen to each day and scores of receptions to attend over the
four-day period.
Since both John Kerry and John Edwards have already expressed their support
for the recognition of the Armenian Genocide, I tried to meet as many of
the Democratic officials as possible to acquaint them with Armenian issues.
Given the disappointing experiences with other presidents, Armenian
Americans want to make sure that they are not deceived again as they were
by presidents George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
Last week, the Armenian National Committee of America endorsed John Kerry
for President. The ANCA usually waits until right before the election to
endorse the candidate that takes the stronger stand on Armenian issues.
This year the ANCA did not have to wait, because it is obvious that the
Bush Administration had nothing to offer to the Armenian community.
Senator Kerry, on the other hand, has a 20-year record of support on
Armenian issues, including voting for the Armenian Genocide Resolution in
the past and co-sponsoring the current Senate Resolution.
At the Democratic Convention, I met scores of Armenians from various
organizations, including some Republicans, who were supporting Kerry. There
is a good chance that, if elected President, Kerry would continue to be
supportive of Armenian issues. It is up to the Armenian community to get
involved in his campaign so that when the time comes to make decisions on
Armenian issues, Armenian-Americans would be among the decision-makers in
the Kerry Administration, rather than mere spectators waiting to see if
Kerry would keep his word.
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2 – Demirjian Introduces Book on Armenian
American Veterans to Fresno Audience
FRESNO – Author Richard Demirjian chose the 60th anniversary of the Allied
Invasion of Europe to introduce his book “The Faces of Courage: Armenian
World War II, Korea, and Vietnam Heroes” to members of the St. Paul
Armenian Church in Fresno on June.
Demirjian addressed the group following services at the Haig Berberian
Hall. “Let us all stand and pay tribute to all those who served and died in
World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and other conflicts,” said
Demirjian, who also honored the memory of President Ronald Reagan, who had
died recently.
The Faces of Courage is an anthology of combat stories recounted by
Armenians who served in the United States military. “The best part of this
book was talking to the people and taping their stories,” said Demirjian.
“There are a lot of Armenians who served in the military. We’ve traveled
the country to find out some of their stories. They must be remembered for
their deeds.”
Demirjian singled out 10 members of the local community who were among the
45 subjects of the book. He summarized for the St. Paul audience the
stories of Jack Ekparian, Ron Markarian, Victor Maghakian, Sam Boghosian,
Ernest Tavlian, Arpeni Mirigian, Sam Kalfayan, John Jerry Najarian, Helen
Koomjan, and Seto Balakian.
Ekparian was a member of the 1st Infantry Division. Markarian, a Major
General, was the highest-ranking Armenian American in United States
military history. Maghakian, a captain in the U.S. Marine Corps, was one of
the most decorated Marines in World War II. Boghosian was sent to the
Philippines in 1941, taken prisoner, and managed to survive more than three
and one half years as a prisoner of the Japanese. Tavlian, a sergeant in
the U.S. Army Air Force, survived the Bataan Death March and three and one
half years as a prisoner of war. Mirigian served in the U.S. Navy Waves in
World War II, and she served the United States by learning the Japanese
codes and eavesdropping on Japanese radio messages. Kalfayan, a U.S. Army
private during World War II, was fluent in four languages, and served as
General George Patton’s interpreter. Najarian received the Distinguished
Service Cross after completing 26 bombing missions in World War II. Koomjan
of the Army Nurse Corps in WWII survived a kamikaze attack on the USS
Comfort during the invasion of Okinawa. Balakian, a U.S. Marine Corps
corporal, received a Purple Heart for his service in the Pacific theater in
1942.
“We have to pay tribute to those who served and to those who died,” said
Demirjian, 77, who lives in Moraga, Calif.
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3 – Fresno’s First Annual AECP Dinner
Benefits Armenians with Eye Disease
FRESNO – To honor George Deukmejian, 35th Governor of California, Dinner
Co-Chairs, Debbie Poochigian and Don Kuzirian brought together all of the
elements of a memorable evening for more than 100 guests who gathered at
the Sunnyside Country Club in Fresno on June 24. Benefiting the Armenian
EyeCare Project, guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, a sit-down dinner,
background music provided by pianist Ken Kennedy and a presentation on the
EyeCare Project by Dr. Roger Ohanesian.
“The event exceeded all of our expectations,” said Co-chair Don Kuzirian
Roger Ohanesian, the EyeCare Project’s President and Founder echoed his
comments. “The organizing committee and event Co-Chairpersons, Debbie and
Don, exceeded all expectations. We are extraordinarily grateful to them for
their hard work and for helping us establish a presence in Fresno. I
believe we have set a high standard for future events. It was a delightful
evening and everyone who attended is still singing its praises. Don
Kuzirian went on to say, “This was our first annual benefit. We’ll be right
back next year. Absolutely. Debbie and I are ready to go right now.”
Debbie Poochigian, Co-Chairperson, commented on the evening: “Most guests
arrived without knowing anything about the EyeCare Project, but wanting to
be supportive. Everyone walked away with a terrific understanding about
what a great job the AECP is doing.”
Debbie and Don enlisted the support of friends and family to make the
evening a success. Hostesses for the evening included Laura Poochigian,
Amanda Poochigian, and MaryAlice Kaloostian.
Out-of-town guests included Gov. George Deukmejian; EyeCare Project
Chairman, Dr. Roger Ohanesian with wife Eileen; and board members Jack
Kayajanian and Ken and Meredith Khachigian.
Also from out-of-town were long-time AECP benefactors Kosti and Marian
Shirvanian, Newport Beach, and Haig Papaian, owner of Commerce Casino.
Shirvanian and Papaian underwrote the transportation costs for the evening.
The evening’s wine was donated by Mr. and Mrs. Henry Keledjian and Senator
and Mrs. Poochigian. “So many people that I had not met came together to
make our first event in Fresno a terrific success,” commented Dr. Ohanesian
as he circulated during cocktail hour to meet all those who had gathered to
benefit the project he founded in 1992 to eliminate preventable blindness
in Armenia.
Following dinner, Sen. Poochigian, long-time friend and supporter of the
evening’s honoree, spoke briefly about the AECP and then turned his
attention to introducing his mentor-Governor George Deukmejian.
The Governor talked about the important work of the AECP ophthalmologists
saying, “The AECP is doing extraordinarily important work for the Armenian
people and the ophthalmologists who travel to Armenia twice a year, at
their own expense, are an inspiration to us all. I commend them for their
dedication and hard work.”
Contributing to the ambiance of the evening and the striking table
decorations were Bob and Andy Azzaro of San Francisco Floral who donated
giant bundles of beautiful blue Iris-arranged into eye-catching
centerpieces by talented Nancy Poochigian. Ms. Kathleen Elia donated her
time and photography services for the evening. Table favors for each guest
were keepsake “Children of Armenia” 2004 Calendars and small round silver
tins with a private blue and white AECP label, “First Annual Fresno Dinner,
June 24, 2004,” and filled Altoids candy.
As the program got underway Governor Deukmejian said a few more words and
introduced AECP President, Dr. Roger V. Ohanesian. State Senator Chuck
Poochigian, and Don Kuzirian also spoke about the AECP.
Kuzirian told the assembled guests, “The benefit this evening was like
waiting for your first child to be born. All of a sudden, there’s your
baby.” He also reflected on “How fortunate I am to be in America. I have
health care and I have my choice of doctors for that care,” he said. “Our
brothers and sisters in Armenia don’t have that opportunity. We’ve got to
help them.” Speaking from his own personal experience with eye disease
Kuzirian, who suffers from uveitis, an inflammation of the eye, had to
spend a few days in the hospital during the planning of the benefit-making
phone calls to prospective sponsors all the while.
Ohanesian gave a slide presentation, which highlighted the many
accomplishments of the Project during the past 12 years and focused on its
new Initiative, “Bringing Sight to Armenian Eyes”-a five-point program
focusing on direct patient care; medical education and training; public
education and training; research; and capacity building.
Major sponsors of the evening included Gottchalks, represented by Don
Kuzirian, the Sequoia Chapter of Triple X, and Mrs. Deran Koligian and
Family. Hosts for the evening included Ken and Meredith Khachigian, Luther
and Glenda Khachigian, Ed and Jeanne Kashian, The Stephen Philibosian
Foundation, Dr. Frederick A. Richburg with the Valley Eye Institute, Henry
and Nancy Sanoian, Nubert and Jeannette Baker, Costi and Marian Shirvanian,
and Sante Health System, Inc.
Other guests enjoying the evening included Red and Nancy Arnold, Larry and
Joanie Bedrosian, Ernie and Carlotta Bedrosian, Kenneth and Lilyan
Chooljian, Varoujan Der Simonian, Dr. Robert and Sharon Garabedian and
daughter Kristina Garabedian (founder of Armenian Shoe Box Project), Dr.
Ara Hairabedian, Paul Jamushian, Mike and Nellie Kutnerian, Gary Malazian,
Robert and Jackie Manselian, Aram and Alice Michigian, Steve and Lucille
Pilibos, Sarkis and Iris Sahadtjian, Don and Barbara Serimian, Dr. David
Taylor, and Cliff and Roxanna Tutelian.
Debbie Poochigian summed up the evening, which raised more than $20,000
for the Project. “We have a wonderful supportive Armenian community in
Fresno.” And Don Kuzirian reiterated, “Absolutely. We’ll be right back next
year. Debbie and I are ready to go right now.” And they already have a head
start on the 2005 AECP Fresno Dinner with a committee in the making and
notices in the newspapers requesting people to donate their used eyeglasses
for Armenians.
To learn more about the AECP, please visit , or call
949-675-5767. To make a donation, call the AECP toll-free number,
1-866-GIV-AECP, donate online at or mail a check to
337 E. Bayfront, Newport Beach, CA 92662.
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4 – Elephant From India
Will be Airlifted
To Yerevan Zoo
MYSORE, India – (VG) – The staff at the Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens
are all agog with excitement as Komala, the eight-year-old female elephant,
is to go to Armenia.
According to Zoo Director Kumar Pushkar, Komala will be paired with a
nine-year-old Asian elephant at Armenia Zoo. The Armenian Zoo had written
to the President of India requesting for a female elephant from one of the
zoos in India.
The Central Zoo Authority’s search for a healthy female elephant ended in
Mysore, Pushkar added.
“Central Zoo Authority’s Member-Secretary Dr. Rajesh Gopal and Armenian
Embassy’s Advisor Mr. Arman Kachatrian selected Komala and she will be
airlifted to Armenia within a month,” he said.
Pushkar said Komala is a gift to the Armenian President from the President
of India. Giving away one elephant is not a loss as the Mysore Zoo had
successfully bred elephants in captivity.
The central government will bear the expenses of constructing an enclosure
required to airlift Komala to Armenia. Meanwhile, Komala is being trained
to remain in the enclosure for long hours as the journey would take about
18 hours, Pushkar disclosed. The pachyderm will be accompanied in its
journey by a veterinarian and two keepers.
A doctor from Armenia and an elephant caretaker have arrived in the Mysore
Zoo to study the elephant’s behavior and the ambience that needs to be
created at the Armenian Zoo in Yerevan.
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5- AGBU-AYA Basketball
Clinic Held in Pasadena
PASADENA – The Second Annual AGBU-AYA Youth Basketball Clinic was held at
the AGBU Center in Pasadena on July 17.
AGBU-AYA boys, 10-12 years of age, participated from both the Valley and
Pasadena AGBU chapters. Each clinic participant received team and
individual instruction in the fundamentals of basketball, and competed in
games and contests.
AGBU Valley men’s basketball team member’s Diron Ohanian, Toros Yetenekian,
Zareh Kouyoumdjian and Carl Bardakian, winners of the first and second Pan
Armenian Games in Yerevan in 1999 and 2001, coached and instructed the
AGBU-AYA boys. The AGBU Southern California Central Sports Committee
organized the event.
6’11”, 290-pound center Rafael Araujo, who was selected eighth in the 2004
NBA Draft on June 24 by the Toronto Raptors, spoke to the participants and
signed autographs for them. Araujo instructed the youth in various
basketball drills and took photos with them. Araujo also encouraged the
AGBU-AYA athletes to focus on their academics and on the fundamentals of
basketball.
The Valley and Pasadena AGBU-AYA boys played in their first league game on
Saturday, July 24 at the AGBU Manoogian-Demirjian School in Canoga Park.
If interested in becoming a member of the AGBU-AYA basketball program,
contact the AGBU Pasadena Center at 626-794-7942 or AGBU Valley Chapter at
818-313-9449.
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6 – APN-WD to Host JAA’s Top
Students at Diocese Complex
BURBANK – On August 24, the newly-formed Armenian Professionals Network of
the Western Diocese (APN-WD) will host a community mixer welcoming Junior
Achievement of Armenia’s (JAA) most outstanding economics students from the
2003/04 school year and the 2004 participants of JAA’s annual Summer Study
Abroad program. The August 24 mixer will be a wine and cheese reception
held from 7:30 to 9 pm. at the Western Diocese Complex, 3325 North Glenoaks
Blvd, Burbank, Calif.
The three JAA students and one administrator, Anna Avetisyan, Haykuhi
Khachatryan, Matevos Mheryan, and Grigori Nazaryan, have been selected from
the thousands enrolled in economics for their exemplary academic
achievement and mastery of the English language.
Distinguished guest speaker Christina Tusan, Deputy Attorney General,
California Department of Justice, and JAA Board member, will introduce the
JAA visitors to the APN-WD and describe how JAA fulfills its mission to
give Armenian youth the necessary skills and knowledge to compete and
succeed in the local, national, and global arenas.
Each summer since 1995, Junior Achievement of Armenia has rewarded its top
students with the opportunity to participate in JAA’s Summer Study Abroad
program. This year’s program will begin in early August at the 34th Annual
Canadian National Junior Achievement Conference (CANJAC) held in Saskatoon.
On Aug. 21, following this one-week program, the JAA visitors will travel
to Southern California where they will, among other activities, visit
businesses, meet elected officials and policy makers, interact with
community leaders, and engage in regional and social events.
For more information contact Vahe Ashjian at (818) 212-9976 or visit the
organization’s website at
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7 – Hagopian’s Film to be Featured
At Rhode Island Festival, Aug. 12
THOUSAND OAKS, CA – “Germany and the Secret Genocide” is to be featured in
the Jewish “side-bar” of the Rhode Island International Film Festival, Aug.
12. The award-winning film by J. Michael Hagopian will be screened at 7:30
p.m. at the Pawtucket Visitor’s Center in Providence.
This is the second film of “The Witnesses” trilogy on the Armenian
Genocide, prepared by the Armenian Film Foundation.
“Germany and the Secret Genocide” was introduced to the Rhode Island
International Film Festival by Dr. Sharon Rivo, Executive Director for the
National Center for Jewish Film at Brandeis University. She was a panelist
at the recent East Coat premiere of Hagopian’s film by the National
Association of Armenian Studies and Research in Belmont, Mass. Dr. Rivo was
highly impressed with Hagopian’s work and expressed the desire to introduce
it to the Jewish community of America.
Glenn Farr, co-producer of “Germany and the Secret Genocide,” said he is
gratified by growing Jewish acclaim for the film.
Earlier this year, the film won coveted first place awards and special
recognitions at the One World Human Rights Film Festival in Prague, the
Athens Ohio International Film Festival and the prestigious U.S.
International Film and Video Festival, the largest festival of its kind.
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8 – Steering Committee Formed for
USC Institute of Armenian Studies
LOS ANGELES – The long-held dream of the Armenian community of Southern
California, as well as thousands of USC Armenian Alumni to establish an
Institute of Armenian Studies is well on its way to realization.
A group of prominent community leaders, meeting at the Bistro Gardens on
July 14, responded enthusiastically to the establishment of an
institutethat would strengthen and perpetuate the century-long partnership
between the Armenian community and the University of Southern California.
At the dinner hosted by noted community leader, Charles Ghailian, the
attendees became acquainted with the institute’s unique mission as a
multidisciplinary center of Armenian studies, covering a variety of fields
— law, business, religion, politics, music, film, media, the
arts and sciences. Speaking passionately about the bright future of the
institute, Charles Ghailian welcomed the opportunity to establish a
world-class think-tank that would promote learning and scholarship about
the Armenian-American community, the global Armenian Diaspora, and the
Armenian Republic.
The attendees were: Dr. Mihran & Eliz Agbabian, Alex Baroian, John
Berberian, Sylva Bezdikian, Albert Boyajian, Mark Chenian, Dr. R. Hrair
Dekmejian, Charles Ghailian, Armen Janian, Esq., Onnik Mehrabian, Varant
Melkonian, Gerald Papazian, Esq., Harut Sassounian, Hagop & Mina
Shirvanian, Sinan Sinanian, The Honorable Dikran Tevrizian, Ralph & Savey
Tufenkian, Arda Yemenidjian, and Edward Zohrabian.
After a lively discussion, the assembled guests unanimously resolved to
commit themselves to bringing the vision of the institute into reality. By
forming a Steering Committee, the members plan to raise “seed money” and
make plans for fund raising and other activities involving many additional
members in the Armenian community.
Since its founding over a century ago, USC has educated thousands of
Armenian-Americans who have gone on to distinguished careers in business,
government and the professions. It is only fitting that USC serves as the
home of an unprecedented venture in multidisciplinary Armenian studies –
the first of its kind in the United States and the larger Diaspora.
********************************************************
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Los Angeles Times
August 2, 2004 Monday
Home Edition
The World;
11 Killed in Coordinated Attacks on Iraqi Christians
by Henry Chu, Times Staff Writer
In a wave of coordinated attacks aimed at Iraq’s Christian minority,
a series of bombs exploded Sunday outside five churches thronged with
worshipers here and in the northern city of Mosul, killing 11 people
and injuring dozens more.
It was the first time in this nation’s 15-month insurgency that Iraqi
Christians were targeted, further fraying the country’s delicate
religious fabric and raising fears of increased sectarian conflict.
Attackers timed some of the blasts for maximum effect, during evening
services that attracted hundreds of faithful. Bloodied and dazed,
churchgoers spilled onto streets littered with shards of stained
glass and splinters of wood as smoke billowed above them.
“I was praying inside the church with all these people when all the
windows shattered,” said Father Rafael Kutaimi of an Assyrian
Catholic church in Baghdad’s Karada neighborhood, where a car packed
with explosives blew up during the 6 p.m. service. At least a dozen
worshipers were wounded.
“They came into a holy place,” Kutaimi said of the attackers, as
bystanders scurried away from U.S. armored vehicles that had rolled
to the scene. “If they’re against the Americans, let them kill the
Americans. We’re all Iraqis, innocent people. I don’t know what their
goal is.”
Within an hour, four churches were hit in three neighborhoods in the
Iraqi capital. The Iraqi Ministry of Health said early today that 11
people had died and 52 were injured.
In perhaps the deadliest of the attacks, twin blasts struck the
Chaldean Patriarchate in southern Baghdad, killing a child and at
least four other people as churchgoers began arriving for Mass around
sunset. Witnesses said they saw two men pull up in separate cars,
park them near the church, then casually walk away before the
vehicles exploded, hurling debris as far as 100 yards.
The church served as a bomb shelter during last year’s U.S. invasion,
and local residents, Muslims and Christians alike, banded together to
protect it from looters. “We have all lived here in peace for a long
time,” said Ali Abdulla, 28, who rushed from his house across the
street to help the injured.
Around the same time as the Baghdad explosions, at least one car bomb
went off outside a church in Mosul, incinerating a passing motorist
and wounding four other people. The toll could have been higher if
all the mortar shells in the car had detonated, police said.
It was not immediately clear if any of the bombings were suicide
attacks. U.S. military officials here said the bombs seemed crudely
made, casting doubt on whether fugitive militant leader Abu Musab
Zarqawi had masterminded the plan.
Still, the organized assault punctured the sense of relative immunity
that many of Iraq’s 800,000 Christians had felt, not only during the
bloodshed of the last year but stretching back to the reign of Saddam
Hussein, who actively cultivated the support of religious minorities
as a bulwark against the country’s Shiite Muslim majority. Better
educated than many Iraqis, Christians here have traditionally
exercised an influence disproportionate to their small numbers.
Former Deputy Prime Minister Tarik Aziz, now in U.S. custody, is a
Christian who was a powerful player in Hussein’s inner circle.
Many Christian professionals and businesspeople have fled Iraq in the
last 30 years for better economic opportunities and to escape
periodic outbreaks of hostility against them. In the late 1980s,
during a campaign against ethnic Kurds in northern Iraq, Hussein’s
forces destroyed scores of Christian villages, demolished ancient
monasteries and churches, and forcibly moved Christians to Baghdad.
In addition to Sunday’s bombings — which elicited a condemnation
from the Vatican — recent weeks have seen a nationwide rise in
attacks on liquor and record stores, whose owners are often
Christians and whose wares are forbidden by strict Muslims.
Although some Christians predicted that more of them would want to
flee Iraq, others pledged to stay, such as engineer Skender
Melconian, 59, a leader among Armenian Christians. “This community
has been in Baghdad since 1911,” he said. “Now is the time for Iraqis
to build their country out of the ashes. But there’s a drive from
some people to move us backward.”
In March, four American Christian missionary workers were shot to
death in Mosul, though it was unclear whether they were targeted
because of their religion or because they were foreigners. Sunday’s
attack was the first coordinated assault aimed at Iraqi Christians.
An Armenian Christian church in the Karada neighborhood was the first
to be targeted. It is a few blocks from the Assyrian Catholic church,
which was hit about half an hour later, leaving a smoking crater.
Soon after the second bombing, officials with the U.S.-led
multinational forces ordered Iraqi police to sweep other churches in
the city. Officers found an unexploded device in one, which U.S.
teams disabled.
The operation could not be mounted quickly enough to prevent two more
explosions, one outside the Chaldean Patriarchate in the southern
district of Dora and the other in New Baghdad, a working-class
neighborhood to the east.
The apparent target was St. Elya’s Chaldean Church, but an adjacent
Shiite mosque, its minaret almost nuzzling the church’s cross, bore
the brunt of the blast. Onlookers said funerals were being held at
both houses of worship when the car bomb detonated.
Maher Mahmoud Mohammed, 35, whose barbershop sits near the mosque and
the church, was outside when the bomb exploded. He said the force of
the blast knocked him down and punched out his shop’s windows. He
struggled to get up, then bolted, joining dozens of others who had
poured out of the two religious buildings.
Minutes later, he sat in a hospital, the left half of his tank top
scarlet from the blood that seeped from his cuts. His anger at those
responsible was just as inflamed. “These are cowards and criminals,”
he said as victims in adjacent rooms screamed in pain. “They’re not
Muslims.”
On a nearby gurney, the mosque’s elderly spiritual leader, Sayyed
Qassim, lay naked and blackened, his body smeared with salve, his
quavering voice saying the name of Allah over and over.
His son rushed in, collapsing to the floor and clapping his hands to
his face as he cried out, “Father! Father!” The holy man’s followers
crowded into the hospital, some of them sobbing.
At the scene of the blast, Nazhat Abd was outraged.
“What are they targeting? Churches and mosques are places to give
prayers to God. It’s the same. These terrorists don’t differentiate
between anybody anymore, between innocent and guilty, Christian and
Muslim.”
*
Times staff writers Megan K. Stack, Edmund Sanders and Alissa J.
Rubin contributed to this story.
*
Bombs target Christians
Bomb blasts rocked four Christian churches during evening services in
Baghdad and one church in the northern Iraqi city of Mosul on Sunday,
killing at least six people and wounding dozens of others.
Iraq’s Christian minority
Christians total about 800,000, or about 3% of Iraq’s 24 million
population, and live mainly in Baghdad.
Christians were free to worship under Saddam Hussein, who, despite
his persecution of majority Shiites, officially preached religious
tolerance.
Christians are worried that religious tolerance could suffer in
post-Hussein Iraq and have said they fear persecution from Muslims
who associate them with the U.S.-led multinational forces, who are
seen as coming from Christian nations.
There has been a string of attacks in recent weeks on liquor and
record stores throughout Iraq, whose owners are often Christians.
Explosions
1. A bomb explodes near an Armenian church in Baghdad’s Karada
neighborhood.
2. A car bomb explodes at an Assyrian Catholic church in Karada.
3. A car bomb explodes outside a Chaldean Christian church in
Baghdad’s Dora district. Five people are killed.
4. A bomb explodes between a Chaldean church and a mosque in New
Baghdad.
5. At least one car bomb explodes outside a church in Mosul. One
person is killed.
Sources: Reuters, Times staff
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Associated Press Worldstream
August 2, 2004 Monday 7:34 AM Eastern Time
Armenia expected to name ex-Marseille coach to head national team
YEREVAN, Armenia
Armenia is likely to name former Marseille coach Bernard Casoni to
head its national soccer team, a spokesman for the national soccer
federation said Monday.
Casoni “in all likelihood” will be appointed at the federation’s next
meeting, said spokesman Araik Manukian. However, he said the
federation also could consider other candidates, whom he did not
identify.
National team coach Mihai Stoichita resigned in late June, less than
two months before World Cup qualifying begins. Armenia plays its
first qualifier on Aug. 18, against Macedonia.

Agence France Presse
August 1, 2004 Sunday
Les chretiens d’Irak (ENCADRE)
BAGDAD, 1er aout
BODY: Les minorites religieuses en Irak, notamment les chretiens,
representent environ 3% de la population, soit quelque 700.000
personnes sur un total de 24 millions d’Irakiens, majoritairement
musulmans chiites et sunnites.
La Constitution provisoire irakienne, qui a ete signee en mars et qui
regira l’Irak jusqu’a la tenue d’elections generales, garantit “la
liberte de toutes les religions”.
L’article 7 precise de la Constitution provisoire indique que
“l’islam est la religion officielle de l’Etat et une source de la
legislation”.
“Cette Constitution respecte l’identite islamique de la majorite de
la population irakienne, tout en garantissant la liberte totale de
toutes les autres religions et de leurs pratiques religieuses”.
La Constitution de juillet 1970, adoptee sous l’ancien regime,
garantissait la liberte de religion et prohibait toute discrimination
religieuse.
Elle reconnaissait d’autre part que le peuple d’Irak est compose de
“deux nationalites principales”, arabe et kurde, et d'”autres
nationalites”, dont les droits etaient consideres comme legitimes. En
decembre 1972, la direction du parti Baas alors au pouvoir avait
precise par decret qu’il s’agissait des Assyriens, des Chaldeens et
des Syriaques.
Les Chaldeens, qui representent avec leurs 600.000 membres la
majorite des chretiens d’Irak, forment une communaute catholique de
rite oriental. L’eglise chaldeenne est issue de la doctrine
nestorienne a laquelle elle a renonce au XVIeme siecle tout en
conservant ses rites. L’ex vice-Premier ministre Tarek Aziz,
aujourd’hui detenu, est le plus connu des Chaldeens.
Les Assyriens, qui seraient environ 50.000, sont les chretiens qui
sont restes fideles a la doctrine nestorienne. L’eglise nestorienne
etait entree en dissidence en l’an 431 apres le concile d’Ephese,
affirmant qu’il y avait deux personnes distinctes dans le Christ :
une nature humaine et une nature divine et non pas une seule personne
ayant a la fois la nature humaine et la nature divine, comme
l’affirment les catholiques.
On trouve encore en Irak des Syriaques catholiques et orthodoxes, des
Armeniens catholiques et orthodoxes et, depuis une epoque plus
recente (Mandat britannique) des protestants et des catholiques de
l’Eglise latine.
De nombreux chretiens irakiens parlent encore l’arameo-syriaque, la
langue du Christ. Dans les annees 1970, des revues culturelles
bilingues (arabe-syriaque) ont ete publiees et des programmes
d’expression arameenne ont fait leur apparition a la radio et a la
television.
Dans le Kurdistan (nord), les chretiens sont au nombre de 150.000
environ, majoritairement chaldeens.
Les chretiens sont representes par un seul ministre au gouvernement
interimaire d’Iyad Allaoui, auquel la coalition dirigee par les
Etats-Unis a remis le pouvoir le 28 juin.
La pauvrete et les guerres ont conduit depuis le debut des annees
1980 de nombreux chretiens a quitter l’Irak. Pres d’un demi-million
sont partis depuis une quinzaine d’annees.

El Pais
August 1, 2004
Irak se islamiza dia a dia
ENVIADA ESPECIAL
Bagdad
No se ha atado el hiyab y se le cae con frecuencia. “Lo llevo desde
principios de ano. A mi marido no le gusta pero vengo a mi trabajo
andando y me insultaban por la calle”, afirma con una sonrisa
complice Zina Nuri, subdirectora de un instituto femenino de Al
Karrada, un centrico barrio de Bagdad. Nuri, de 44 anos y profesora
de deporte, esta convencida de que la ola de islamizacion que vive
Irak es temporal. En su instituto, la mayoria de las 750 alumnas son
chiies, pero tambien hay sunies y cristianas de la iglesia armenia,
que estudian su religion en su propio idioma. “Nunca hubo problemas”,
dice Nuri. “Muchas alumnas son, como yo, de familias mixtas de chiies
y sunies”.
Zuhair no piensa lo mismo. El es cristiano y las amenazas le han
obligado a cerrar su licoreria, abierta en la decada de los setenta
del pasado siglo, a pocas manzanas de ese instituto. En los paises de
mayoria islamica son los cristianos los autorizados a vender alcohol.
Los hermanos Behnan, de 45 anos, y Sabi, de 47, aun resisten en la
calle siguiente, pero la mayoria de la baldas de la tienda estan
vacias y solo hay alcoholes de baja calidad.
“Tenemos miedo. Hemos estado cerrados cinco dias y acabamos de
reabrir para acabar las existencias. No nos han amenazado
personalmente, pero basta con leer los periodicos”, dice Behnan
mostrando la primera pagina del diario Al Sabaj, en la que aparece la
foto de una licoreria destrozada por una bomba. “En las ultimas
semanas han reventado 15 establecimientos de venta de alcohol. Con
esta inseguridad no podemos continuar”.
Nadie sabe quienes son, pero la larga mano de los radicales deja un
rastro de temor en la sociedad iraqui que, sin apenas darse cuenta,
se va plegando a sus exigencias. Como Zina, buena parte de las
mujeres de Bagdad ha adoptado un codigo de vestimenta que no le gusta
pero que, tal vez, han impuesto los tiempos. O tal vez, simplemente,
como dice Mohamed de sus hermanas, “se han cubierto por si acaso”.
Por lo mismo, permanecen cerradas desde el derrocamiento del regimen
de Sadam Husein las dos fabricas de cerveza nacional.
“La explosion de religiosidad que vemos actualmente es producto de la
libertad. Los chiies de Irak han estado mucho tiempo reprimidos y
ahora se sienten libres”, asegura Balkis Yoade, catedratica de
Ciencias Politicas y Sociales en la Universidad de Bagdad. Irak tiene
25 millones de habitantes de los que el 58% son arabes chiies, pero,
desde su independencia del imperio britanico (1932), ha sido
gobernado por la minoria arabe suni, que apenas supone el 18% de la
poblacion. Yoade senala que, pese a que en los ultimos anos Sadam
Husein trato de jugar la carta religiosa y dio una mayor
permisividad, el regimen “mantuvo soterrada una religiosidad que
ahora se siente a flor de piel”.
De familia mixta suni-chii, Balkis, de 51 anos, sigue con la cabeza
descubierta. “Por ahi no paso. La que pasara sera la moda de
cubrirse. Yo hasta fumo en clase, y defendere siempre que la fe se
lleva dentro”.
“Irak no es Iran y aqui la mayoria de la poblacion, incluida yo
misma, esta en contra del establecimiento de una republica islamica,
pero es evidente que en el nuevo Irak la religion tiene un importante
papel que jugar”, afirma el ayatola Husain al Muayad, que volvio a
Irak hace un ano despues de 21 de exilio y formacion en Iran. Al
Muayad sostiene que Europa, en tanto que tiene una sociedad abierta y
multietnica, debe implicarse mas en Irak.
Por el contrario, Abdeljalil Daud, de 32 anos, iman de una pequena
mezquita en Al Karrada, confia en que las elecciones del ano proximo
sean el primer paso hacia el establecimiento de la sharia (ley
islamica). Daud afirma que los problemas que Irak sufre hoy en dia
provienen de que su fe ha sido debil. “Solo el fortalecimiento del
islam salvara a Irak”, afirma este iman suni.
El escaso millon de cristianos iraquies -la mayoria de la iglesia
Catolica Romana Caldea y el resto divididos entre catolicos armenios,
sirios ortodoxos, asirios y algunos protestantes- se sentia mas
seguro con el regimen anterior. Centenares de ellos se fueron antes
de la caida de Sadam a Jordania, Siria y Libano, a la espera de que
se aclarase lo que ven como un futuro negro, y siguen sin decidir su
vuelta, afirma el obispo Andreas, en la iglesia de la Asuncion de la
Virgen Maria.
Con falda chanel y camiseta ajustada, Tamara Chalabi luce una
frondosa melena rubia y esta convencida de que la actual corriente de
islamizacion obedece al empobrecimiento de la sociedad iraqui y al
profundo choque que supuso la caida del regimen. “La gente se
encontro sin referencia y se volco en la religion, que era lo que
tenia mas cerca y mas facil. Cualquier prohibicion en ese sentido
seria contraproducente. Cuando la economia mejore y las mujeres
vuelvan a tener dinero para comprarse maquillaje se acabaran los
velos”, dice esta historiadora de 30 anos, hija del politico Ahmed
Chalabi.
Preocupados por la falta de seguridad, de electricidad, de agua o de
vivienda -hay decenas de miles de familias de okupas en instalaciones
militares, del servicio secreto y en las casas de los que huyeron
antes de caer el regimen-, los iraquies parecen no darse cuenta de
las concesiones hechas a la ortodoxia islamica. “Muchos de los
atentados que ahora ocurren preparan la gran batalla por el futuro de
Irak, que se librara en el plano ideologico, entre laicos y
religiosos”, sentencia Mayid al Shammeri, coronel de la Fuerza Aerea
hasta su dimision en 1991 y actual jefe de ingenieros del equipo de
reconstruccion de la Coalicion.
Solo la clase media alta iraqui parece darse cuenta de adonde lleva
la actual corriente. “Me da miedo que nos podamos mover del
nacionalismo al islamismo”, dice Al Shammeri, que se declara
sorprendido por la “virulencia” de la ola de islamizacion. “A mi hija
de 18 anos ya le han advertido en la Universidad de que se cubra el
pelo y la pequena quiere ir a la piscina, pero cada dia son menos las
que permiten el bano sin restricciones”.
Bajo el aplastante sol del mediodia, los estudiantes universitarios
que se han apuntado a los cursos de verano dejan las aulas que ocupan
dos veces por semana. Muzara Eiden, de 24 anos y estudiante de
Periodismo, se considera un hombre abierto, lo que no impide que
piense que en Irak no se debe vender alcohol y que la mujer debe de
ir cubierta.
Eptisan, de 30 anos, y Lemia, de 25, realizan tambien un curso de
verano de Historia en la Universidad de Bagdad. Ambas llevan hiyab,
pero a Eptisan se le ve un poco el pelo y va maquillada. Ambas se
declaran simpatizantes del partido islamista moderado Al Dawa, pero
cuando se les pregunta sobre si quieren que Irak sea una republica
islamica, Eptisan se pone nerviosa como si hubiera visto una culebra
y dice un rotundo “no”, mientras que Lemia lo rechaza sin
dramatismos.
Despues de tres guerras -contra Iran, entre 1980 y 1988; la del
Golfo, en 1991, y la pasada, en 2003- y un largo y penoso embargo de
13 anos, algunos barrios de Bagdad parecen sumidos en la Edad Media.
En ese mundo de tinieblas que ha traido la falta de electricidad, el
mensaje del radical chii Muqtada al Sader penetra con fluidez. Tras
la pantalla de modernidad de la calle Haifa, que hacia esquina con la
casa del dictador, se extiende tambien un mundo de miserias sunies,
caldo de cultivo de los radicales islamicos y de los que han sido
expulsados del sistema por sus estrechos vinculos con el regimen
anterior.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

Agence France Presse
1 Aout 2004
Double attentat a la voiture piegee pres de deux eglises a Bagdad
BAGDAD, 1er aout
BODY: Deux attentats consecutifs a la voiture piegee ont eu lieu
dimanche apres-midi dans le quartier de Karrada de Bagdad, a
proximite de deux eglises chretiennes, selon la police et un
journaliste de l’AFP sur place.
Une premiere voiture piegee, “conduite par un kamikaze”, a explose et
on ignore s’il y a des victimes autres que lui, a declare a l’AFP sur
place un policier, Haiedar Abdul Hussein.
Cette explosion a eu lieu pres d’une eglise chretienne armenienne
(bien: armenienne), selon un correspondant de l’AFP, qui a assiste
quelques instants plus tard a une deuxieme explosion, pres d’une
autre eglise chretienne.
Le correspondant de l’AFP a vu les carcasses des deux voitures
piegees, alors que des pompiers couraient dans tous les sens et que
des policiers tiraient en l’air.
Il a egalement vu des ambulanciers transporter des corps, tandis
qu’un policier annoncait que plusieurs personnes avaient ete tuees,
sans qu’il soit possible de verifier cette derniere information dans
l’immediat.
Les deux explosions ont eu lieu a proximite immediate des deux
eglises.
La premiere s’est produite devant l’eglise armenienne, la seconde le
long du mur de l’autre eglise, selon l’AFP.
Une epaisse fumee noire se degageant du lieu des explosions etait
visible a plusieurs kilometres.

Agence France Presse — Spanish
August 1, 2004 Sunday
Al menos seis muertos en ola de atentados contra iglesias cristianas
en Irak
BAGDAD, Ago 1
Una ola de atentados sin prececente azoto este domingo varias
iglesias cristianas en Bagdad y Mosul, en el norte de Irak, mientras
se celebraban los rezos de visperas, causando al menos seis muertos y
48 heridos, un balance que podria aumentar considerablemente en las
proximas horas.
En Bagdad, cuatro atentatos fueron perpetrados contra tres iglesias y
un seminario en los que murieron al menos cinco personas, provocando
escenas de panico, en el momento en que los fieles salian de las
iglesias. Las inmediaciones de estos centros de culto se llenaron de
ambulancias y coches de la policia, en medio de los escombros y los
gritos de los heridos.
Dos atentados con coches bomba fueron perpetrados en el barrio de
Karrada, cerca de dos iglesias cristianas, segun la policia y un
corresponsal de la AFP.
En el hospital Ibn al Nafiz de Bagdad ingreso un muerto y 16 heridos,
segun el ministerio de Sanidad.
En el hospital neuroquirurgico de la capital tambien ingreso un
muerto y seis heridos, mientras que al Kindi llegaron otras seis
personas con quemaduras graves, segun medicos de ambos centros.
Un primer coche bomba, “conducido por un kamikaze”, exploto al final
de la tarde, cerca de una iglesia catolica armenia, segun un
corresponsal de la AFP, que presencio unos instantes despues una
segunda explosion contra el muro de otra iglesia cristiana de culto
siriaco.
El corresponsal de la AFP vio las carcasas de dos coches utilizados
en los atentados, mientras que los bomberos corrian en todas las
direcciones y la policia disparaba al aire. Una veintena de
ambulancias llegaron al lugar, mientras que helicopteros
estadounidenses sobrevolaban las ruinas, de las que salia humo.
En el barrio de Dora, al sur de Bagdad, dos personas perdieron la
vida y otras tres resultaron heridas en la explosion de un coche
bomba a la puerta de un complejo religioso que alberga el seminario
de San Pedro y la iglesia San Pablo de rito caldeo, segun la policia
y el ministerio de Sanidad.
Las victimas fueron trasladadas al hospital Yarmuk.
Un socorrista en Dora declaro que habia sacado de los escombros seis
cuerpos, informacion que no pudo confirmarse.
“Retire tres cuerpos de mujer, antes de que la policia me echara”,
declaro por su parte otro testigo, Chaker Mahmud, de 32 anos.
Los alrededores del seminario, del que salian los fieles, tenian el
aspecto de una zona de guerra, declaro un corresponsal de la AFP en
el lugar.
Un cuarto atentado, tambien con coche bomba, tuvo lugar delante de
una iglesia caldea en el este de Bagdad, segun la policia.
Un portavoz del ejercito estadounidense afirmo que habia muertos y
heridos.
En Mosul, en el norte de Irak, dos coches bomba explotaron tambien
practicamente al mismo tiempo delante de la iglesia Mar Polis, en el
barrio Al Mohandesin, dejando un muerto y 15 heridos, segun fuentes
hospitalarias.
“Es un crimen, es domingo, estabamos en misa, hay muchas mujeres y
ninos”, declaro a la AFP monsenor Raphael Kutami, de la iglesia
siriaca, comentando el doble atentado de Bagdad.
“Hay muchos heridos, pero no sabemos cuantos. Estamos sacandolos de
la iglesia”, agrego un sacerdote de esta iglesia.
En Kirkuk (norte), el coronel de la policia Afram Ashour, jefe de la
policia del barrio Arafa, indico que una importante explosion se
produjo hacia las 19H45 locales (15H45 GMT) cerca de unas viviendas
que pertenecen a cristianos, aunque no se han registrado muertos ni
heridos ya que la mayoria se encontraba en la iglesia para las
visperas.

El Pais
August 2, 2004
Una oleada de atentados suicidas contra iglesias siembra el terror
entre los cristianos de Irak
Al menos cinco personas mueren en ataques contra templos en Bagdad y
Mosul
Viene de la primera pagina
Los dos primeros ataques tuvieron lugar en el centrico barrio
capitalino de Karrada, cuya poblacion es mayoritariamente chii,
aunque tambien tiene un alto porcentaje de cristianos. En lo que va
de mes, una decena de licorerias -negocios explotados por cristianos-
en Karrada y el barrio de El Gadir han sido atacadas, al igual que
varias peluquerias de senoras.
La primera explosion que se escucho con nitidez por todo el centro de
la capital fue contra la iglesia de catolica armenia de la Asuncion.
Segun la policia, un kamikaze exploto su coche contra la puerta del
recinto religioso. Minutos despues, otra deflagracion elevaba una
columna del humo por el cielo de Bagdad. Esta segunda explosion fue
contra el muro de la iglesia de rito catolico siriaco de ese mismo
barrio. Varios coches aparcados en los alrededores resultaron
completamente destrozados.
De inmediato, helicopteros estadounidenses comenzaron a sobrevolar la
zona, mientras decenas de ambulancias y bomberos se precipitaban
hacia el lugar para auxiliar a las victimas. Segun declaro un
portavoz del hospital Ibn al Nafiz, 15 heridos, algunos de ellos
graves, fueron ingresados en ese centro.
Afortunadamente los atentados ocurrieron a media tarde, mientras que
las misas dominicales se celebran por la manana, lo que redujo
considerablemente la tragedia, ya que en todas las iglesias hubo
servicios religiosos, a los que acudieron, como es habitual, hombres,
mujeres y ninos. En una de las calles de acceso a la iglesia armenia
se colocaron a principios de mes grandes bloques de hormigon para
bloquear la calle y proteger la iglesia y el instituto femenino en
que estudian muchas cristianas armenias, sobre todo de los intentos
de secuestro.
“Siento miedo por el futuro en tanto que iraqui. Como catolico lo
tendre de verdad el dia que ataquen una iglesia”, dijo la semana
pasada, Walid Lion, un ingeniero electronico, cuyo taller de
reparacion de televisores linda con una de las tiendas de bebidas
alcoholicas que fueron incendiadas a mediados de mes.
El coche bomba y la granada que explosionaron junto a una iglesia de
Mosul, 370 kilometros al norte de Bagdad, lo hicieron casi al mismo
tiempo que las dos primeras deflagraciones de Bagdad. Los vecinos de
la zona aseguran que la humareda negra que dejo el doble atentado
podia verse a varios kilometros de distancia. Una persona resulto
muerta y 15 heridas.
La mayoria de los cristianos iraquies pertenece a la iglesia catolica
caldea pero tambien hay siriacos, catolicos armenios, sirios
ortodoxos y sirios catolicos. Durante la dictadura nacionalista de
Sadam Husein, los cristianos fueron protegidos, mientras Sadam
reprimia sobre todo a la mayoria chii del pais. De los 25 millones de
iraquies, el 58% son arabes chiies, el 18% arabes sunies, otro 18%
kurdos sunies y el resto son turcomanos, tambien de religion
musulmana y cristianos.
Precisamente ayer, el presidente iraqui Gazi al Yauar se entrevisto
con un enviado del Papa Juan Pablo II que supuestamente le expreso la
preocupacion del Vaticano con esta comunidad, aunque no se hizo
publico el contenido encuentro.
“No se si son sunies o son chiies, pero se que quienes atacan los
negocios cristianos son islamicos, entre los que tambien puede haber
elementos del antiguo regimen, que creen que existe una buena
cooperacion entre los cristianos y las tropas de ocupacion, lo que es
falso. Los cristianos somos los primeros en sufrir las consecuencias
de la invasion”, declaro el sacerdote Amer, que afirmo que no habia
pedido proteccion a la policia “para evitar que la iglesia se
convierta en objetivo de ataque”.
Los vecinos de Karrada acudieron de inmediato a ayudar a los heridos.
“He visto ninos y mujeres sangrando, los cristales de la iglesia
habian reventado y estaban por toda la calle”, declaro una iraqui
visiblemente afectada por el atentado.
Ataques en Faluya
La jornada de ayer fue un autentico infierno, que comenzo con dos
grandes bombazos en Bagdad. En Faluya, una ciudad que se ha
convertido en un bastion de la resistencia situada en el conflictivo
triangulo suni, los combates entre insurgentes y fuerzas
norteamericanas e iraquies se prolongaron durante toda la madrugada y
causaron mas de una decena de muertos, la mayoria civiles a
consecuencia de los bombardeos estadounidenses. Ademas, dos soldados
de Estados Unidos resultaron muertos y tres heridos cuando dos
vehiculos blindados uno en Samarra y otro en una carretera del sur
del pais pisaron una mina.
Mientras, el mando estadounidense puso en libertad a 126 prisioneros
iraquies en el marco de su nueva politica, con la que pretende poner
ante la justicia lo antes posible a los cerca de 5.000 presos que
mantiene en las dos principales carceles del pais, la mayoria de
ellos delincuentes comunes.
El Vaticano condeno ayer los atentados contra la comunidad cristiana
en Irak, que califico de “muy preocupantes”. “Su intencion es
aumentar la tension contra los lugares de culto cristianos en Irak”,
declaro el padre Ciro Benedetini, portavoz de la Santa Sede. “Es muy
preocupante porque es la primera vez que estos lugares de culto son
atacados”, agrego .

El Mundo
August 2, 2004
IMPRESIONES.
Los cristianos, objetivo del terror iraqui.
IMPRESIONES. Irak. Atentados contra iglesias cristianas
Cinco templos cristianos fueron ayer objeto de atentados en Irak. Se
trata de la primera oleada de ataques organizados contra esta
comunidad desde que acabo la guerra, si bien la violencia de
fanaticos musulmanes contra los cristianos habia crecido en los
ultimos meses del regimen de Sadam. Desde que termino la guerra,
varios lideres cristianos han expresado publica y repetidamente su
preocupacion por el riesgo de que Irak se convierta en un Estado
islamico siguiendo el modelo irani y no en uno laico y democratico.
Esta advertencia, unida a la calificacion que reciben por parte de
los lideres musulmanes de infieles y cruzados, ha terminado por
colocar a los cristianos en el punto de mira de los terroristas.
Mientras los musulmanes han presentado a los cristianos como los
representantes de los gobiernos occidentales en Irak, esta minoria no
ha recibido ninguna proteccion especial por parte de los distintos
administradores de EEUU que han pasado por el pais y menos aun por
parte del actual Gobierno. Son, por tanto, un objetivo facil, aunque
cada vez mas escaso. La comunidad cristiana, integrada principalmente
por catolicos y ortodoxos, ha pasado en las ultimas dos decadas de
ser el 10% de la poblacion a apenas el 2% actual y el exodo continua.
Desde que Sadam fue derrocado son muchos, especialmente cristianos
armenios, los que han abandonado el pais, temerosos de que las cosas
pudieran ir a peor para ellos. Tras los atentados de este domingo,
parece que no estaban equivocados.

ANSA Notiziario Generale in Italiano
August 1, 2004
IRAQ: ATTACCO A CHIESE; CRISTIANI SONO 3% POPOLAZIONE ;
I CATTOLICI, TRA CALDEI, LATINI E ARMENI SONO 800 MILA
(ANSA) – ROMA, 1 AGO – I cristiani sono circa il 3 % della 23
milioni di iracheni, suddivisi in maggioranza tra cattolici e
ortodossi. Nel paese sono presenti anche i protestanti, in
numero inferiore rispetto alle altre due confessioni, in quanto
arrivati solo da pochi anni.

Nazione a maggioranza musulmana, l’Iraq conta una forte
presenza di sciiti, che sono la confessione maggioritaria con
circa il 63% della popolazione, seguiti dai sunniti che
rappresentano il 34%.

Tra le popolazioni curde, stanziate nel Nordest dell’Iraq e
contano circa 4 milioni di persone, si trovano ancora pochissimi
ebrei, ma la comunita’ cristiana e’ tuttora presente. Nel paese
sono presenti anche i cristiani Assiri che hanno ripreso a
sperare di poter vivere la loro specificita’ religiosa e
culturale dopo la caduta di Saddam.

Molto variegata la presenza dei cattolici: sono poco meno di
800 mila, tra caldei (700 mila), latini (2.500), siro-antiocheni
(75.000) e armeni (2 mila). La popolazione Caldea rappresenta il
terzo gruppo etnico in Iraq, dopo arabi e curdi. (ANSA).
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress