| Kwaliteit van het maatschappelijk debat over de islam is om te huilen’ | ‘Kwaliteit van het maatschappelijk debat over de islam is om te huilen’
Na meer dan veertig jaar gewerkt te hebben voor de Universiteit Leiden, geeft prof. dr. Sjoerd van Koningsveld op 23 maart zijn afscheidscollege. De hoogleraar Godsdienstgeschiedenis van de Islam in West-Europa en oprichter van de opleiding Islamitische theologie is sinds december met pensioen. Een terugblik op zijn tijd in Leiden en natuurlijk een blik op de toekomst: “Ik wil eigenlijk weer terug naar de tijd vóór mijn hoogleraarschap.”
door Sjaak Baars
Al druk met het afscheidscollege?
“Ik stop er veel tijd in, maar helaas gaan we het daar niet over hebben. Het wordt een verrassing. Bovendien is het traditie in Leiden de inhoud geheim te houden. Bij andere universiteiten doen ze dat niet, maar hier wel. Het is overigens meer dan een college, het gaat ook om het afscheid.”
Veertig jaar lang aan de Leidse universiteit. Laten we bij het begin beginnen.
“Ik heb zelf gestudeerd in Amsterdam, aan de Vrije Universiteit. Ik was een goede leerling op het gymnasium en ontdekte al snel dat ik interesse had voor talen en culturen. Ik had echter een diep meningsverschil met mijn vader. Hij wilde dat ik Klassieke talen ging studeren, maar ik wilde voor de Semitische taal en letterkunde gaan. Hij vond mijn vak een orchideeënvak: de rijken kunnen orchideeën kweken en er naar kijken en genieten, oftewel, geen droog brood in te verdienen. Als compromis en om mijn vader gerust te stellen, begon ik met beide, maar al snel maakte ik de keus voor enkel de Semitische talen. Met het Arabisch – onderdeel van Semitische talen – kom je direct bij de islam terecht. Je leest de Koran, religieuze geschriften, noem maar op. Ik had toen niet kunnen bedenken dat het vakgebied zich zo zou ontwikkelen.”
Nu is uw vakgebied razend actueel. Hoe werd u er werkzaam in?
“Voor mijn maatschappelijke garantie heb ik ook Rechten gestudeerd, maar dat maakte ik niet af doordat ik benoemd werd in de Leidse UB. Anders was ik waarschijnlijk advocaat geworden, strafpleiter. In de UB heb ik vijf jaar lang als conservator gewerkt van de Oosterse manuscripten. ‘s Avonds en in het weekend werkte ik aan mijn promotie. Zwaar, maar het heilige vuur van de wetenschap brandde in mij. Tot op de dag van vandaag ben ik gefascineerd door het Spanje van de middeleeuwen, dit was de brug tussen de Arabische wereld en het Latijnse westen. Hierdoor zie je er veel cultuurtransmissie. Mijn promotie in 1976 ging over Latijns-Arabisch cultuurcontact in middeleeuws Spanje; mijn oratie in 1992 ging over islamitische slaven in Europa in de middeleeuwen. Deze hebben een belangrijke rol gespeeld in cultuurcontact. Geleerde slaven brachten hier technische uitvindingen, bijvoorbeeld als prijs voor vrijlating.
Door de veranderende maatschappij in Nederland in de twintigste eeuw werd de islam belangrijker op de theologische faculteit. Het begon in de jaren ’70 met de vestiging van arbeidsmigranten in West-Europa. Aanvankelijk was dit tijdelijk, maar met de gezinshereniging werd Nederland een migratieland. We hebben een islamitische bevolkingsgroep gekregen. Na mijn tijd in de UB verkoos ik het docentschap aan de faculteit, omdat ik er veel meer tijd kreeg voor wetenschappelijk onderzoek. De opleiding was toen meer een predikantenopleiding, dat is nu allang niet meer, maar ook toen al had ik studenten die zich specialiseerden op het gebied van de godsdiensthistorische studie van de islam. Velen van hen spelen nu een belangrijke rol in het wetenschappelijke onderwijs in Nederland.”
U besloot uw vakgebied te verbreden en maakte er een hele opleiding van.
“Toen ik in 1992 hoogleraar werd, was ik al bezig met de studie Islamologie, een samenwerking tussen Arabisch en Theologie, waar studenten in hun tweede jaar mee konden beginnen. Verder ontwikkelden we een master Islamic Studies. Inmiddels hebben we een volledige studie Islamitische theologie. Je zou kunnen zeggen dat de ontwikkeling van de studie gelijk loopt aan mijn carrière: steeds een stapje verder. Ik heb veel gesprekken met imams gevoerd, dat heeft erg geholpen, want binnen Nederland was er natuurlijk geen enkel voorbeeld. Nu de faculteit Godgeleerdheid is samengegaan met de faculteit Letteren is wat mij betreft de cirkel rond, ik ben immers van huis uit letterenstudent. Ik hoop wel dat het instituut sterk blijft en een eigen identiteit en positie bewaart.”
Wat is de plek van uw vakgebied?
“Godsdienstwetenschap is een interdisciplinaire studie. De twee slagaders ervan zijn aan de ene kant de taal en letterkunde en geschiedenis, en aan de andere kant de sociale wetenschappen. Talen denken wel eens een monopolie te hebben op godsdienst: Arabisch en Islam, Hebreeuws en Jodendom, maar dit is een verouderd standpunt. Talen spelen een grote rol - zonder talen geen godsdienstwetenschap -, maar zijn ten principale andere wetenschappen, met andere methodes en paradigma’s, dan de godsdienstwetenschap. Aan de andere kant hebben we de sociale wetenschappen, bijvoorbeeld antropologie. Vanaf de jaren ’70 werk ik samen met de antropoloog - en inmiddels goede vriend - Shadid. We hebben samen een reeks van boeken geschreven, nog onlangs publiceerden we een boek over de sociaaljuridische positie van de islam in Nederland en België. Nu zijn we bezig met een vergelijkende studie van de positie van de islam in alle landen van de Europese Unie. Ik vind het dus een goede zaak dat de faculteit samen is gegaan met letteren, maar de deur naar de sociale wetenschappen moet open blijven.”
Met uw vakgebied heeft u heel direct te maken met de hedendaagse problemen in de maatschappij.
“Ik vind dat we het vak niet te veel moeten afstemmen op de behoefte van de maatschappij, want deze is zeer sterk onderhevig aan verandering en mode. Hierdoor is de kwaliteit van het maatschappelijke debat over de islam om te huilen. Je moet zoeken naar evenwicht: je moet tegemoet komen aan de maatschappij en aan wetenschappelijk onderzoek beide. Een voorbeeld is de donorregistratie. Hoe kijken mensen met een bepaalde religieuze overtuiging hiernaar? Om dit maatschappelijk relevante onderwerp te beantwoorden moet je empirisch maatschappelijk onderzoek doen, maar ook de normatieve discussies die gaande zijn (vaak in de vorm van zogenaamde fatwa’s) bekijken. Als je het hele verhaal wil horen, dan is het een heel gecompliceerd verhaal. Ik vind dat we geen concessies moeten doen aan de hypes, want dat leidt tot simplificatie. Kwaliteit is van doorslaggevend belang voor de toekomst van het vak.”
Hoe gaat u om met deze relevantie van uw vakgebied?
“Ik heb me wel eens laten verleiden tot korte statements voor het NOS-journaal. Ik snap wel dat dit nu eenmaal hoort bij het genre, maar ik wil liever niet antwoorden in een of twee oneliners. Mijn meeste contacten met de media zijn achter de schermen, in een voorgesprek. Ik zit veel liever in een radioprogramma als De Ochtenden waar je je hele verhaal kunt doen en nuances kunt leggen. Ik denk wel dat ik over het algemeen geslaagd ben dit allemaal te verantwoorden, maar de omgang met media blijft moeilijk. Ik voel me er niet erg thuis.
Verder heb ik advies gegeven aan de overheid, maar dat was niet structureel. Bijvoorbeeld het ministerie van Binnenlandse zaken die een commissie samenstelt om onderzoek te doen hoe meer allochtonen in hogere functies bij de politie te krijgen, of welke imams als geestelijke verzorger in de gevangenis kunnen functioneren. Toen heb ik advies gegeven over hun diploma’s en gesprekken met hen gevoerd. Maar als je voelt dat je je ei niet kwijt kan in zo’n commissie, dan zeg ik: nee, ik laat deze drinkbeker aan mij voorbij gaan. Ik heb nooit de verleiding voor een te maatschappelijke benadering gevoeld. Mijn hartstocht is onderzoek. En onderwijs. Ik mag gelukkig nog vijf jaar na mijn pensioen dissertaties en promoties begeleiden.”
Als je zegt islam en West-Europa zeg je Wilders. Wat vindt u van het beeld dat hij schetst van de islam?
“Heb je even? Daar kunnen we lang over praten. Ik zeg er dit over: ik heb een artikel geschreven in NRC tegen de uitspraken van Wilders die de koran vergeleek met Mein Kampf. Ik heb gepleit om dit strafbaar te stellen en ik ben dan ook erg blij dat het Gerechtshof van Amsterdam besloten heeft over te gaan tot vervolging. Er moet paal en perk gesteld worden aan het haatzaaien, willen wij hier kunnen samenleven. Er zijn grenzen en Wilders heeft die overschreden. In mijn openingscollege “Graf van de profeet” behandelde ik onder andere de gemeenschappelijke historische wortels van anti-islamisme en antisemitisme. Het zijn broer en zus.”
Kunt u een hoogtepunt en een dieptepunt noemen in uw carrière?
“Een moeilijke vraag. Ik kan niet echt één hoogtepunt noemen. Mijn dissertatie, inaugurele oratie, openingscollege en mijn zogenaamde “rode boek” met Shadid, over “Religious Freedom and Islam in Europe”, vormen de brandpunten van mijn werk en mijn onderzoek. Op dat vlak dus een hoogtepunt. Een dieptepunt heb ik ook niet echt. Ik ben heel lang wetenschappelijk medewerker geweest en hier heb ik me absoluut niet aan gestoord, want dit was een prachtige baan en ik had veel tijd voor onderzoek. Dit werd minder toen ik hoogleraar werd. Ik heb daar ook veel bevrediging uit gehaald, want uiteindelijk is het leven toch meer dan wetenschap, maar voor mijn wetenschappelijke onderzoek zijn de eerste jaren vruchtbaarder geweest. Ik wil eigenlijk weer naar die tijd terug.”
Van Koningsveld: 'Ik vind dat we het vak niet te veel moeten afstemmen op de behoefte van de maatschappij, want deze is zeer sterk onderhevig aan verandering en mode. Hierdoor is de kwaliteit van het maatschappelijke debat over de islam om te huilen. Je moet zoeken naar evenwicht: je moet tegemoet komen aan de maatschappij en aan wetenschappelijk onderzoek beide.'
Wat betekent dat voor de faculteit Geesteswetenschappen?
"Je moet verschil aanbrengen tussen dat wat al besloten is en wat nog uitgezocht moet worden. Besloten is dat de instituutsbibliotheken van Geschiedenis en Kunstgeschiedenis naar de UB verhuizen. Deels gaan collecties richting studiezalen op de eerste verdieping, deels naar de magazijnen. Ook de faculteitsbibliotheek Archeologie zal richting UB verhuizen. Voor de bibliotheken zoals die van de faculteit Rechtsgeleerdheid en Sociale Wetenschappen geldt dat die locaties gehandhaafd worden. Je wilt namelijk dat de collecties en de bibliotheekdiensten zo dicht mogelijk bij de gebruiker blijft.
Verder gaan de instituutsbibliotheken van Chinees, Japans, Koreaans en India op in een Asian Library. De vraag is echter waar deze komt. Onderzocht wordt of het mogelijk is aan de voorkant van de UB een tweede verdieping te bouwen waar deze bibliotheken samen komen. Dit heeft de voorkeur van de faculteit en van de bibliothecarissen. Een andere oplossing is dat het in het Arsenaal komt, maar daar is niet genoeg plek. Wanneer het allemaal terecht kan in de UB is het grote voordeel dat je alle geesteswetenschappelijke collecties inclusief de bijzondere collecties onder één dak hebt. Voor Geesteswetenschappen is het goed één plek te creëren in de UB."
En die tijd gaat nu komen ?
“Ik geniet van mijn vrijheid. Al is het soms wel vreemd, ik vind het eigenlijk een normale ontwikkeling, zo’n pensioen. Ik heb meer dan veertig jaar gewerkt en in die tijd zijn er veel taken op mijn weg gekomen en daardoor heb ik niet alle onderzoeken kunnen uitvoeren. Er liggen hier veel aanzetten tot boeken en artikelen die ik niet heb afgekregen. Ik wil de komende jaren heel veel publiceren en mij volledig richten op het vak en daar kijk ik naar uit. Ik hoop heel erg oud te worden en zelfs dan heb ik nog voldoende te doen om me nooit te vervelen. Verder heb ik het volledige vertrouwen in de groep die ik achter laat. Ik heb lange tijd een hele winkel beheerd met de islam in West-Europa en daarnaast de vergelijkende godsdienstwetenschap en nu is dit gescheiden over mijn twee opvolgers Maurits Berger en Ab de Jong. Maar ik zie ook de docenten als mijn opvolgers. Ik laat een ijzersterke groep achter. Het zijn uitstekende experts met verschillende specialismes. Bovendien: ik ben niet weg, ik ben er nog.” |  |
|
| QURAISH OVERSTIJGT GRENZEN | | BABYLON SLATES | De Irakese beeldend kunstenaar Quraish exposeert van 18 januari t/m 7 april 2009 bij ART TRANSIT, Recordweg 2 in Amersfoort met schilderijen. De opening vindt plaats op 18 januari a.s. van 14.00 - 17.00 uur. De toegang is vrij.
Een mens is het product van zijn omgeving. De jeugd van Quraish (Bagdad, 1965) werd getekend door oorlogen, dictatuur en censuur. Hij vond een uitweg uit dit geweld via de verhalen die zijn grootmoeder hem vertelde; mythen en sagen uit de rijke cultuur van het Perzische rijk. Quraish laat zich niet alleen inspireren door deze oude verhalen, maar ook door de mozaïekdecoraties van de tempels van Babylon in Mesopotamië, het land tussen de rivieren Eufraat en Tigris, het centrum van het huidige Irak.
Quraish studeerde van 1986 - 1994 aan de Kunstacademie in Bagdad. Kort daarop verliet hij zijn vaderland en vestigde hij zich in Berlijn. In de twee jaar dat hij daar verbleef, schilderde hij vooral donkere werken. Zijn gemoedstoestand speelde hem parten. Daarna vestigde hij zich in Nederland. Quraish werkte doelbewust aan zijn kleurgebruik. Zijn huidige werken lopen uiteen van ingetogen tot expressief en uitbundig. Quraish voert de beschouwer mee naar zijn wereld van persoonlijke herinneringen en fantasie.
Voor zijn werken in gemengde techniek gebruikt hij zowel acryl- als olieverf. Hij vermengt de verf met lijm, gips of wit cement en bindt het met talkpoeder. Dit mengsel brengt hij in lagen aan op papier, doek of paneel zodat er een reliëf ontstaat. Daarna wrijft hij over de verf met een doek, gedoopt in was. Zo ontstaat een transparant effect.
Gevoelsmatig wordt Quraish sterk aangetrokken door de onschuld van kinderen, natuurvolken en dieren. Hij ziet de primitieve wereld als meer waarachtig en stimulerend. Hij verzamelt houtsnijwerk, maskers en versieringen om ze te bestuderen, te bewonderen en te gebruiken in zijn schilderijen.
Zijn composities voorziet hij van krassen, opschriften, symbolen en getallenreeksen. De cijfers staan voor de tijd. Geschiedenis is niet iets uit het verleden; het ontwikkelt zich continu, ook in het hier en nu. De krassen vinden hun oorsprong in het spijkerschrift. In de oudheid werd met rietstengels beeldtaal op kleitabletten aangebracht. Ook nu nog vind je dit soort beeldtaal op muren in Irakese steden.
De schilderijen van Quraish zijn vol verhalen en poëzie. Hij overstijgt grenzen. Niet alleen die van het Midden-Oosten en het Westen, maar ook die van tijd en politiek, van fantasie en werkelijkheid.
Voor meer informatie kunt u contact opnemen met ART TRANSIT, Postbus 225, 3870 CE Hoevelaken, telefoon 033 - 2580 465, e-mail info@arttransit.com en internet www.arttransit.com. | |
|
| ÇáÌãÚíÉ ÇáåæáäÏíÉ áÃÓÇÊÐÉ ÇááÛÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ | | ÃáæÇÍ ÈÇÈáíÉ .. ÑÆíÓ ÇáÊÍÑíÑ | åÐå ÏÚæÉ áÇÓÊßãÇá ÊÔßíá ÇááÌäÉ ÇáÊÍÖíÑíÉ áãÄÊãÑ ÊÃÓíÓí ááÌãÚíÉ ÇáåæÒáäÏíÉ áÃÓÇÊÐÉ ÇááÛÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ.. æááãÊÇÈÚÉ íãßä ÞÑÇÁÉ ÇáÊÝÇÕíá åäÇ Ãæ ÇáÇÊÕÇá ÈßÇÊÈ ÃæáíÇÊ ÇáãÔÑæÚ...
 ÇáÊÝÇÕíá | |
|
| Iraq: The Way Forward |
I hereby gladly invite you to attend a lecture titled:
Iraq: The Way Forward
This lecture is part of a series organised by the department North Africa and Middle East (DAM), and will be held on the 11th of June, 2008.
The venue of the evening will be De Rode Hoed (Keizersgracht 102, AMSTERDAM). The lecture will commence at 20.00hrs (hall opens at 19.45hrs), until 21.30hrs, after which DAM will host a reception. There is no entrance fee.
The speaker of the evening will be:
Dr. Joost Hiltermann is the Deputy Middle East and North Africa Program Director of the International Crisis Group, an independent non-governmental organization dedicated to conflict prevention.
From 1994 to 2002 he served as the Executive Director of the Arms Division of Human Rights Watch in Washington. In the 1980s he worked for the Palestinian human rights organization Al-Haq in Ramallah.
Dr. Hiltermann focuses on political trends and constitutional developments in Iraq and has authored two books: A Poisonous Affair: America, Iraq, and the Gassing of Halabja and Behind the Intifada: Labor and Women's Movements in the Occupied Territories.
In his lecture, Dr. Hiltermann will discuss the present state of affairs as well as future developments in Iraq. He will throw some light on the possibilities for reconciliation and political progress on the eve of the American elections.
I look forward to welcoming you on 11th of June. If you wish to attend, please let me know prior to June the 9th by filling in the entry form on www.minbuza.nl/lezingen.
Henriette J.C.M. Barones van Lynden,
Director North Africa and Middle East Department
| |
|
| Press Conference Invitation | | BABYLON SLATES No20 | 14th May, 2008
The Rights Institutions who defend the Opinion, Expression and Press Freedoms in Egypt, the members of the International Freedom of Expression Exchange Network “IFEX”, Arabic Network for Human Rights Information, Egyptian Organization for Human Rights, and Cairo Institute for Human Rights Studies are motivated by their belief in the importance of supporting the journalists against the violations they are exposed to, and the abuses threaten the Press Freedom.
Considering the numerous important events related to Press Freedom took place in May, in particular the Appeal Session on 3rd May of the lawsuit against the Editors in chief that which coincided with the Press Freedom International Day, moreover the Appeal Session of Mr. Ibrahim Issa, editor-in-chief of Addustour Newspaper on May 28th.
The three rights institutions, and the members of the IFEX Network are honorably inviting you to a press conference they are to convene following to the roundtable- organized by the IFEX members in Egypt- closure, the Roundtable entitled:
“The Egyptian Journalists Vision of Role of Press Freedom Defending Institutions”
At 5:00 PM Saturday 17th May, 2008
At the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate Quarters
The Press Conference is held to announce the results of the Roundtable Works that carried out by:
• Mr. Adil Hamouda, Editor-in-Chief of al-Fagr Newspaper
• Mr. Wael al-Ibrashi, Former Editor-in-Chief of Sawt al-Umma Newspaper
• Dr. Abd al-Halim Qandil, former Editor-in-Chief of Al Karama Newspaper
• Dr. Mohamed Sayed Said, Editor-in-Chief of al-Badil Newspaper.
• Mr. Salah Eldin Hafez, Secretary General of the Arab Journalists Union.
• Mr. Salama Ahmed Salama, Journalist, Al Ahram Newspaper
• Mr. Kamal Labidi, Consultant for the Middle East and North Africa- IFEX
• Ms. Kristina Stockwood and Mr. Sherif Azer , IFEX Network
• Arabic Network for Human Rights Information
• Egyptian Organization for Human Rights
• Cairo Center for Human Rights Studies
• Egyptian Journalists Syndicate
Highly Appreciated
IFEX Network Members in Egypt
Arabic Network for Human Rights- Gamal Eid
Egyptian Organization for Human Rights- Hafez Abu Se’da
Cairo Center for Right Studies- Hassan Bahiyeddine
http://hrinfo.net/en/reports/2008/pr0514.shtml | |
|
| Iraq: Shi’i Politics and the Sectarian Crisis | | Abd al-Hussein Sha’ban |
The Shi’i political scene is getting nowhere with proposals for the post-occupation phase. The Shi’a jumped enthusiastically into the political process after they received confirmation that they would have a prominent role in the Iraqi Governing Council.
To read the article | |
|
| Op donderdag 1 mei, Dag van de Arbeid organiseert de SP een groot festival | Op donderdag 1 mei, Dag van de Arbeid
én Hemelvaartsdag, organiseert de SP van 13 tot 17 uur een groot festival op het
Heemraadsplein in het hart van Rotterdam-West. Een festival met een boodschap:
de solidariteit terug in de stad! Alle
informatie over het programma vind je op
href="http://www.1meifestival.nl/">
color=#000000>www.1meifestival.nl.
Op het festival is
ruimte voor organisaties die zichzelf en hun acties/activiteiten willen
presenteren. We verwachten dat het druk wordt, zeker als het mooi weer is! Jouw
organisatie willen we graag uitnodigen een kraam op de festivalmarkt in te
richten. De bijdrage daarvoor is 15 euro en dient ter plekke te worden betaald.
Vanaf 12.30 zijn de kramen in te richten.
Wil je een kraam op het
festival, laat 't dan snel aan mij weten. Anders ben je uiteraard ook gewoon
welkom om het boeiende programma van het festival zelf te volgen: met muziek van
Neco Novellas, Maghreb Mania, de WoordDansers, Solooh & Barkey en nog veel
meer... met discussies en gesprekken met Tweede-Kamerlid Sadet Karabulut,
SP-gemeenteraadsleden en vooral met gewone Rotterdammers.
met hartelijke
groet,
Kevin Levie
SP
Rotterdam
T 010-417 33 59
G 06-48 19 76 68
E
mailto:klevie@sp.nl">klevie@sp.nl
mailto:sp@stadhuis.rotterdam.nl
sp@stadhuis.rotterdam.nl
I
http://www.rotterdam.sp.nl
www.rotterdam.sp.nl | |
|
| UITNODIGING BIJEENKOMST met het thema REDT DE OUDE CULTUUR VAN IRAK | | BABYLON SLATES | De vereniging Cultuur van Mandeese en de Iraakse Huisvereniging nodigen u uit voor een bijeenkomst over de oude cultuur van Irak.
Beide verenigingen nodigen u uit voor deze avond om stil te staan bij de grote bedreigingen van deze oude culturen. Oude cultuurschatten verdwijnen in hoog tempo, zowel door oorlogsgeweld en vernielingen als door roof en diefstal.
Met een aantal deskundigen willen we stil staan bij de cultuurschatten van de oude Iraakse culturen en de waarde die zij hebben voor onze cultuur.
OM TE LEZEN, FOR READING THE TEXT | |
|
| Moeders voor moeders op moederdag | | Noor Francken-Janssens Projectleidster International Association for Human Values | OM TE LEZEN, FOR READING THE TEXT
Beste vrienden en vriendinnen
Graag wil ik met jullie steun op zondag 11 mei ( moederdag) moeders in het zonnetje zetten. Het gaat in het bijzonder om moeders die het heel leuk zouden vinden om naar het concertgebouw te gaan en niet de financiële ruimte hebben om dat te doen.
Mocht je in je vriendenkring een moeder kennen die dat leuk zou vinden neem dan contact met me op en geef haar naam en gegevens door, zij mag dan met 3 gezinsleden gratis van het concert genieten.
Van belang is het wel dat degene die zich opgeeft ook daadwerkelijk komt of voor vervanging zorgt. Het is een benefietconcert dus naast de genodigden voor deze moeders voor moeders initiatie is de opbrengst van de kaartenverkoop voor een goede doel. Het zou jammer zijn als een kaart ongebruikt verloren gaat
Hopelijk tot 11 mei in het concertgebouw,
Hartelijke groet ,
Domenica
Moeders voor moeders op moederdag
Een mooi geschenk aan al de moeders op moederdag: Benefietconcert in het concertgebouw met belangeloze medewerking van top musici
We willen graag Amsterdamse moeders, die rond het minimum leven, op deze moederdag de mogelijkheid geven dit concert bij te wonen.
Het gaat om 100 moeders van diverse achtergronden.Ieder kan 3 gezinsleden meenemen.
Het concert wordt georganiseerd door International Association for Human Values (www.iahv.org) en Earth charter. (www.earthcharter.org)
De opbrengsten van dit concert met als thema menselijke waarden en het samenbrengen van mensen, is voor onderwijs van kinderen in landen in ontwikkeling.
Het werk van International Association for Human Values is zeer indrukwekkend en IAHV is uitgegroeid tot de grootste NGO van vrijwilligers van de hele wereld met samenwerkingsverbanden met Unesco, WHO en Unicef. IAHV heeft een speciale consultatieve status bij de Sociaal-Economische Raad (ECOSOC) van de Verenigde Naties.
Als er nog vragen zijn hoor ik het graag. Het zou fijn zijn om u te mogen ontvangen. Hartelijke groeten,
Noor Francken-Janssens Projectleidster International Association for Human Values. Linnaeuslaan 2 2012 PP Haarlem T 023-5347412 M 06-15113321 noor.francken@aofl.nl
The International Association for Human Values
www.iahv.org | |
|
| What is Earth Day? | | Earth Day and the Rise of Environmental Consciousness | | By Tim Brown Washington File Staff Writer | Earthrise as seen from Moon orbit, December 24, 1968. (NASA photo)
Earth Day, April 22, is the annual celebration of the environment and a time to assess the work still needed to protect the natural gifts of our planet. Earth Day has no central organizing force behind it though several nongovernmental organizations work to keep track of the thousands of local events in schools and parks that mark the day. Earth Day is observed around the world, although
nowhere is it a national holiday.
What is Earth Day | |
|
| | 14 April 2008 marks 20 years of the genocide of Anfal. However, the repercussions of the Anfal genocide still trouble the Kurdish people. Little has been done; many important issues have been forgotten, and furthermore, there are continued injustices, abuses, and offences against the victims of genocide and the Kurdish nation in
general.
Kurds are Victims of Iraq’s Post-Saddam Policy | |
|
| Licht Aan/Droom Uit. | BABYLON SLATES |
Beste allen,
Ik nodig jullie graag uit voor de nieuwe voorstelling Licht Aan/Droom Uit. op vrijdag 18 april in de Balie om 20.30 in Amsterdam. Hier in de link onder vind je de fleyer met meer informatie. Na afloop van de voorsetlling wordt gediscssieerd met het publiek.
Met Vriendelijke groeten,
Saleh
uitnodigingý
| |
|
| Conference to Remember Du’a Khalil and denounce Honour Killings globally! |
Conference to Remember Du’a Khalil and denounce Honour Killings globally!
Date: Saturday 12 April, 2008
Time: 5.00-9:00pm
Address:
University of London Union (ULU)
Room 3D,
Malet Street London WC1E 7HY
Closest underground: Russell Square
A year after the world was stunned by images of a 17 year old girl being stoned to death in Iraqi Kurdistan; an international panel will debate the rise of honour killings, violence against women, gender apartheid and political Islam in Kurdistan/Iraq and the Middle East.
The high profile speakers are women’s rights activists, academics and experts from Kurdistan, Iraq, Iran, Sweden, New Zealand, and Britain and include:
-Dr Sandra Phelps: Head of Sociology Department, Kurdistan University
-Houzan Mahmoud: representative of Organisation Women’s Freedom in Iraq
-Heather Harvey: head of women’s campaign-Amnesty International in UK
-Maryam Namazie: Spokesperson of Equal Rights Now
-Maria Hagberg: Cofounder of Network against Honour Killings in Sweden
-Azar Majedi: Chair of Organisation for Women’s Liberation in Iran
Chair: Maria Exall, Communication Workers' Union National Executive in UK
For more information and to confirm please contact the organiser: Houzan Mahmoud: houzan2007@yahoo.com Tel: 07534264481
Organisation of Women’s Freedom in Iraq- Abroad representative
www.equalityiniraq.com
| |
|
| De Twee Pauwen | | Afifa Aleiby |
De Twee Pauwen
Afifa Aleiby
29/3-10/5 2008-03-21
Met veel genoegen nodigen wij u uit voor de Feestelijke opening met muzikale omlijsting van de tentoonstelling op zaterdag 29 maart om 1600
Op voor een rustige voorbezichtiging bent u welkom
op zaterdag 29 maart van 13.00 tot 15.00 uur
Oranjestraat 1 ( Noordeinde)
2514 JB Den Haag
Tel: 070 392 54 43
Info@detweepauwen.nl
www.detweepauwen.nl
| |
|
| Kom naar Halabja herdenking |
Kom naar Halabja herdenking
Herdenking van chemische bombardementen op HALABJA 16 Maart 2008 op de Dam in Amsterdam
Twintig jaar geleden, op 16 maart 1988, werd door het regime van Saddam Hoessein, de Koerdische stad Halabja met chemische wapens gebombardeerd. Als gevolg van deze gruwelijke daad zijn er 5000 mensen op een brute wijze vermoord. Daarnaast waren er veel gewonden en nabestaanden, die met de gevolgen van de aanval verder hebben moeten leren leven. De chemische aanval was niet de enige die het Baath-regime op de Koerdische bevolking uitvoerde, maar wel de meest bekende. .
Wij roepen iedereen op aanwezig te zijn tijdens de herdenking om onze solidariteit met de slachtoffers tot uitdrukking te brengen. Laten wij gezamenlijk deze daad veroordelen, wat in Halabja is gebeurd mag nooit en nergens ter wereld herhaald worden."
Datum: zondag 16 maart 2008
Tijd: 13:00-15:00 uur
Plaats:Dam,Amsterdam
Deelnemende organisaties zijn o.a::
Federatie Koerden in Nederland -FEDKOM-
- CCK- Cultureel Centrum Koerden Den Haag
Koerdische Studenten Vereniging Nederland –KSVN-
Centrum Halabja Tegen Anfalizatie en Genocide van Koerden -CHAK-
Koerdische Jongeren Nederland -KJN-
A.Khadir hangau@gmail.com -0655874755 E.Qeyner fedkom@dds.nl -020-6141816 A.Karim azad967@gmail.com0652351910-
Amir qadir
andami dastaybarewabari chak
http://www.chak.info
hangau@gmail.com
0031655874755
| |
|
VROUWENDAG |
Beste leden,
Langs deze weg feliciteert stichting Ashtar Iraakse vrouwen jullie allen met vrouwendag en willen hierbij jullie aandacht hebben voor
onze vrouwen in Irak die ieder dag voor hun rechten en welzijn moeten vechten en daar geen veilige leef en woon omgeving hebben!
met die gedachten vieren wij toch onze vrouwendag vol trots voor alles wat de Iraakse vrouw tot op heden heeft bereikt binnen en
buiten Irak en hopen, bidden dat Irak het land van liefde en rijkdom snel hersteld van alle ongewenste ziektes die haar heeft toegetakelt
beste vrouwen wij blijven vechten en door gaan met onze doelen voor een betere toekomst waar dan ook voor ieder vrouw en daarbij
hebben wij elkaar nodig en zullen bereiken wat wij willen en waar wij naartoe streven!
Fijne vrouwendag!!
Met vriendelijke groet,
STICHTING ASHTAR IRAAKSE VROUWEN LEIDEN
| |
|
| Younadam Kana zal uitleg geven vandaag avond in Enschede |
Beste Mensen,
Bij deze willen wij bekend maken dat Rabie Younadam Kana (General Secretary Assyrian Democratic Movement en led of Iraqi Parliament) zal uitleg geven in bijeenkomst. De bijeenkomst is georganiseerd door ADM en ADO Nederland, over de huidige situatie in Irak en de ontwikkelingen in het situatie van ons volk in vaderland.
De bijeenkomst zal plaats vinden in Assyrische Mesopotamische Vereniging Enschede (AMVE) vereniging in Enschede (morgen) woensdag 28 Feb om 19,30 uur. Zie het adres Informatie,
Na de toespraak kunt u vragen stellen.
Adres
Assyrische Mesopotamische Vereniging Enschede
De Reulver 112a
7544 RT Enschede
Bank: 664753604 (ING)
Tel: +31 53 4766873
Fax:+31 53 4366505
Dear All,
This is an announcement that Rabie Younadan Kanan (General Secretary Assyrian Democratic Movement and member of Iraqi Parliament) will be explaining in meeting the current situation in Irak and the development in our nation potion in Atra.
The meeting is organized By ADM and ADO Nederland. The meeting will take place in Assyrische Mesopotamische Vereniging Enschede (AMVE) (Tomorrow) Wednesday 28th Feb 2008 at 19:30 hour).
After the meeting there will be a chance to ask your questions.
Find below the address and contact phone numbers.
Adres
Assyrische Mesopotamische Vereniging Enschede
De Reulver 112a
7544 RT Enschede
Tel: +31 53 4766873
Fax:+31 53 4366505
| |
|
| HARTVERSCHEURENDE KUNST BIJ ART TRANSIT |
Op 20 maart 2003 ontketenen de Verenigde Staten en Groot Brittannië een oorlog in Irak om het regime van Saddam Hoessein en zijn Ba'ath-partij ten val te brengen. Zonder machtiging van de Verenigde Naties Veiligheidsraad om militair geweld te gebruiken, vallen zij Irak binnen. In hun kielzog verschillende andere landen, waaronder Nederland. Met een precisiebombardement op Bagdad start Operation Iraqi Freedom. Op 9 april lijken Amerikaanse troepen heer en meester in Bagdad. Standbeelden van Saddam worden neergehaald. Vanaf die tijd voeren opstandelingen bloedige aanslagen uit op bezettende troepen, Irakese instellingen en de bevolking. De schattingen van het aantal slachtoffers lopen uiteen van 5.000 aan de kant van de bezetters tot 400.000 - 1.000.000 aan Irakese zijde. De wereld staat erbij en kijkt er naar
To read the article | |
|
| Iraq: Shi’i Politics and the Sectarian Crisis | | Abd al-Hussein Sha’ban |
The Shi’i political scene is getting nowhere with proposals for the post-occupation phase. The Shi’a jumped enthusiastically into the political process after they received confirmation that they would have a prominent role in the Iraqi Governing Council.
To read the article | |
|
| gemak | | Café Shabandar | | www.gemak.org |
gemak
www.gemak.org
Café Shabandar
Muzikale en literaire avond in Gemak
Zondag 20 januari vanaf 17.00
Shabandar was het bekendste literaire café in Bagdad. Op 5 maart 2007 werd het vernietigd tijdens de aanslag op de Al Mutanabi boekenmarkt. Het verlies van deze boekenmarkt en van Shabandar is een terugkerend thema in het werk van veel Irakese kunstenaars, wat ook is te zien op de tentoonstelling
‘Green Zone / Red Zone’ in Gemak.
Ter gelegenheid van literair festival Winternachten, dat dit jaar aan Arabische literatuur is gewijd,
zal op zondag 20 januari Café Shabandar weer tot leven komen in Gemak Den Haag. Arabischtalige
dichters en schrijvers die deelnemen aan Winternachten komen samen met Irakese muzikanten en
performers, in een decor dat aan het oude café in Bagdad doet denken.
Een bekwame gastheer vlecht de verschillende onderdelen van het programma aan elkaar, waarbij
de aanwezige gasten worden gestimuleerd om deel te nemen. Ondertussen worden eindeloze hoeveelheden
koffie en thee en huisgemaakte Irakese lekkernijen geserveerd.
Deelnemers:
• Iraqi Maqâm Ensemble (klassieke Irakese muziek):
- Mohammed Ganun: jozza
- Jameel Al Asadi: qanûn
- Abdullatif al Obaidi: ud & percussie
• Saleh Hassan Faris: theatrale performance
• Kareem Risan: beschrijving van het huidige kunstklimaat in Bagdad
• Rashad Selim: presentatie van het Seba’ayoun openbare kunstproject in Den Haag
• Independent Film & Television College, Baghdad: korte documentaire over het
Shabandar Café
- Toegang is gratis, maar een bijdrage wordt op prijs gesteld.
- Voertalen zijn Arabisch, Engels en Nederlands.
- De tentoonstelling Green Zone / Red Zone is tijdens het programma open.
Paviljoensgracht 20 – 24
2512 BP Den Haag
Tel: 070 3381200
www.gemak.org
| |
|
| Stop 1040! | | Informatie voor scholieren | | LAKS | Informatie voor scholieren STOP 1040!
Het Tweede Kamer debat van woensdagavond heeft niets opgeleverd. Het LAKS wil kwaliteit in het onderwijs en roept daarom op om komende vrijdag te demonstreren op het Museumplein in Amsterdam. De demonstratie is van 12:00 tot 14:00. Er zullen verscheidene bands en sprekers aanwezig zijn.
Veiligheid
Het LAKS wil dat de demonstratie van vrijdag zo rustig mogelijk verloopt. Je kunt daarom bij alle ingangen van het Museumplein duidelijk herkenbare LAKS medewerkers vinden waaraan je vragen kunt stellen of om hulp kunt vragen.
We willen iedereen oproepen om vooral naar het Museumplein te komen. Alleen daar wordt gedemonstreerd. Acties ergens anders worden door het LAKS niet ondersteund.
Standpunt LAKS
Het Tweede Kamer debat van woensdagavond heeft niets opgeleverd. Het LAKS is ontevreden met de houding van de staatssecretaris en de Tweede Kamer in het spoeddebat van woensdagavond. Het gaat te veel om de hoeveelheid lessen en niet om wat er in die lessen gebeurd. Actie is nu nodig. Nutteloze lesuren worden niet opgelost. Het LAKS wil goed onderwijs voor iedere scholier.
Het LAKS organiseert vrijdag een landelijke demonstratie en roept minister Plasterk dan ook op om vrijdag de demonstrerende scholieren toe te spreken.
Bereikbaarheid museumplein
Openbaar vervoer
Neem de trein naar Amsterdam Centraal en volg de borden richting tram en bus. Je kan met bus 170 (richting Uithoorn) of bus 172 (richting Aalsmeer/Kudolstraat), stap uit bij halte Hobbemastraat. Je kunt ook met tram 16 of 24 (richting VU medisch centrum), stap uit bij halte Ruysdaelstraat.
Let op:
Op de weg terug: dezelfde trams en bussen (Richting Amsterdam Centraal)
Een enkele reis per bus of tram kost 2 strippen op je strippenkaart.
Kijk voor precieze tijden op: www.ns.nl of www.9292ov.nl.
Wandelroute
Loop via de hoofduitgang het station uit, richting Dam via Damrak. Steek de Dam over en loop over Rokin. Steek de Amstel over en loop rechtdoor over de Vijzelstraat. Loop de grote rotonde over en sla na de rotonde linksaf (Stadhouderskade). Neem de 3e straat links (Hobbemakade) en dan de 1e straat rechts (Hobbemastraat). Deze gaat over in de Johannes Vermeerstraat. Neem de 2e straat rechts (Teniersstraat). Dan kom je op het museumplein!
Stakingsrecht
Je mag vrijdag demonstreren als je school toestemming geeft, je hebt dan geoorloofd verzuim. Als je ongeoorloofd verzuimt, dan lopen jij en je ouders het risico op een boete, net als je normaal spijbelt. In dit geval zijn er verzachtende omstandigheden, het LAKS beroept zich voor het stakingsrecht van leerlingen onder andere op het Europees Sociaal Handvest. Doordat je je registratieformulier inlevert, kun je bewijzen dat je aanwezig bent geweest.
De voorzitter van de leerplichtambtenaren verwacht dat gemeenten de leerplichtambtenaren vrijdag niet aan het werk zetten. De grote steden hebben dat al aangegeven. In het uiterste geval kan een leerplichtambtenaar ook nog zelfstandig besluiten achter spijbelende leerlingen aan te gaan. Wil je zekerheid hebben, bel dan met de leerplichtambtenaar van je gemeente. Zijn nummer is te vinden op de website van de gemeente.
Veelgestelde vragen
Klopt het MSN bericht dat ik ontvangen heb?
Het volgende MSN bericht is vanuit het LAKS verstuurd: "Vrijdag 30 november, van 12.00 tot 14.00 organiseert het LAKS de demonstratie tegen de 1040 uren norm op het museumplein in Amsterdam. Check www.stop1040.nl voor meer informatie over de actie. Stuur dit bericht naar zo veel mogelijk mensen door!"
Kan het LAKS mij helpen met een schorsing van eerdere acties?
Nee, zolang de actie niet onder de vlag van het LAKS is gehouden kan het LAKS helaas niet bemiddelen.
Kan ik ook een regionale actie houden?
Nee, dat kan niet. Regionale acties worden niet door het LAKS ondersteund en daardoor kan je problemen krijgen met ouders, schoolleiding en leerplichtambtenaren.
Wat wordt van mij verwacht tijdens de demonstratie?
Gezellig doen en niet voor onrust zorgen.
Moet ik me inschrijven voor de demonstratie?
Nee, je moet alleen zorgen dat je het formulier op de site ingevuld meeneemt naar de demonstratie, zodat het inschrijven sneller gaat.
Wat wordt er van scholen verwacht?
Het regelen van 10% van de aanwezige leerlingen als deel van de ordedienst
Het actief in de gaten houden van de demonstranten
Is het openbaar vervoer naar Amsterdam gratis?
Nee, helaas zul je zelf
Informatie voor scholen
Het Tweede Kamer debat van woensdagavond heeft niets opgeleverd. Het LAKS wil kwaliteit in het onderwijs en roept daarom op om komende vrijdag te demonstreren op het Museumplein in Amsterdam. De demonstratie is van 12:00 tot 14:00. Er zullen verscheidene bands en sprekers aanwezig zijn.
Veiligheid
Voor het LAKS is de veiligheid tijdens de demonstratie absoluut prioriteit nummer 1. De demonstratie zal binnen een duidelijk afgebakend gebied op het Museumplein in Amsterdam plaatsvinden. Bij de ingangen van het gebied zal geregistreerd worden en eventueel worden tassen gecontroleerd. De duidelijk herkenbare LAKS ordedienst leidt het geheel in goede banen.
We willen scholen van harte oproepen om de LAKS ordedienst waar mogelijk te ondersteunen. Als er busvervoer door de scholen wordt geregeld dan zouden wij het erg prettig vinden als bijvoorbeeld docenten hierbij begeleiden.
Het LAKS zal bij de ingangen van het demonstratieterrein vragen om de gegevens van de demonstranten. Om het proces makkelijker te maken kunnen leerlingen bij aankomst hun ingevulde formulier afgeven.
Standpunt LAKS
Het LAKS is ontevreden met de houding van de staatssecretaris en de Tweede Kamer in het spoeddebat van woensdagavond. Er is te veel gelet op de kwantiteit, zonder dat er concrete maatregelen zijn genomen om de kwaliteit van het onderwijs te verbeteren. Zo wordt er niet in de inspectie geïnvesteerd en blijft de norm zoals die was. Het LAKS vindt het jammer dat de Tweede Kamer, maar ook de staatssecretaris, de discussie willen uitstellen tot januari terwijl actie nu geboden is. Blij is het LAKS met de steun die de vakbond van een aantal partijen in de Kamer, maar ook bij de AOb en de CNV ondervindt.
Nutteloze lesuren kunnen door het optreden van de staatssecretaris nog steeds bestaan. Het LAKS roept scholen dan ook op om zo veel mogelijk te investeren in de kwaliteit van de lessen en een zo inhoudelijk mogelijk lesprogramma aan te bieden.
Bereikbaarheid museumplein
Openbaar vervoer
Neem de trein naar Amsterdam Centraal en volg de borden richting tram en bus. Je kan met bus 170 (richting Uithoorn) of bus 172 (richting Aalsmeer/Kudolstraat), stap uit bij halte Hobbemastraat. Je kunt ook met tram 16 of 24 (richting VU medisch centrum), stap uit bij halte Ruysdaelstraat.
Let op:
Op de weg terug: dezelfde trams en bussen (Richting Amsterdam Centraal)
Een enkele reis per bus of tram kost 2 strippen op je strippenkaart.
Kijk voor precieze tijden op: www.ns.nl of www.9292ov.nl.
Met de bus
Informatie over route en parkeren volgt in de loop van donderdag na verder overleg met de Amsterdamse politie.
Stakingsrecht
Scholieren in de leeftijd tot 17 jaar mogen alleen demonstreren wanneer de directie hier toestemming voor geeft. Als de ouders schriftelijk toestemming geven mag ook gedemonstreerd worden. Voor scholieren van 17 en 18 jaar is geen toestemming vereist.
Achtergrond informatie is in dit document te vinden.
Informatie voor de media
Het Tweede Kamer debat van woensdagavond heeft niets opgeleverd. Het LAKS wil kwaliteit in het onderwijs en roept daarom op om komende vrijdag te demonstreren op het Museumplein in Amsterdam. De demonstratie is van 12:00 tot 14:00. Er zullen verscheidene bands en sprekers aanwezig zijn.
Wilt u bij de demonstratie aanwezig zijn, dan is persaccreditatie door het LAKS verplicht. Bel hiervoor met 020-6381792.
Veiligheid
Voor het LAKS is de veiligheid tijdens de demonstratie absoluut prioriteit nummer 1. De demonstratie zal binnen een duidelijk afgebakend gebied op het Museumplein in Amsterdam plaatsvinden. Bij de ingangen van het gebied zal geregistreerd worden en eventueel worden tassen gecontroleerd. De duidelijk herkenbare LAKS ordedienst leidt het geheel in goede banen.
We willen scholen van harte oproepen om de LAKS ordedienst waar mogelijk te ondersteunen. Als er busvervoer door de scholen wordt geregeld dan zouden wij het erg prettig vinden als bijvoorbeeld docenten hierbij begeleiden.
Het LAKS zal bij de ingangen van het demonstratieterrein vragen om de gegevens van de demonstranten. Om het proces makkelijker te maken kunnen leerlingen bij aankomst hun ingevulde formulier afgeven.
Standpunt LAKS
Het Tweede Kamer debat van woensdagavond heeft niets opgeleverd. Het LAKS is ontevreden met de houding van de staatssecretaris en de Tweede Kamer in het spoeddebat van woensdagavond. Het gaat te veel om de hoeveelheid lessen en niet om wat er in die lessen gebeurd. Actie is nu nodig. Nutteloze lesuren worden niet opgelost. Het LAKS wil goed onderwijs voor iedere scholier.
Het LAKS organiseert vrijdag een landelijke demonstratie en roept minister Plasterk dan ook op om vrijdag de demonstrerende scholieren toe te spreken.
Bereikbaarheid museumplein
Openbaar vervoer
Neem de trein naar Amsterdam Centraal en volg de borden richting tram en bus. Je kan met bus 170 (richting Uithoorn) of bus 172 (richting Aalsmeer/Kudolstraat), stap uit bij halte Hobbemastraat. Je kunt ook met tram 16 of 24 (richting VU medisch centrum), stap uit bij halte Ruysdaelstraat.
Let op:
Op de weg terug: dezelfde trams en bussen (Richting Amsterdam Centraal)
Een enkele reis per bus of tram kost 2 strippen op je strippenkaart.
Kijk voor precieze tijden op: www.ns.nl of www.9292ov.nl.
Met de bus
Informatie over route en parkeren volgt in de loop van donderdag na verder overleg met de Amsterdamse politie.
Stakingsrecht
Scholieren in de leeftijd tot 17 jaar mogen alleen demonstreren wanneer de directie hier toestemming voor geeft. Als de ouders schriftelijk toestemming geven mag ook gedemonstreerd worden. Voor scholieren van 17 en 18 jaar is geen toestemming vereist.
Achtergrond informatie is in dit document te vinden.
Contact met het LAKS
Heb je vragen of opmerkingen over deze actie? Neem dan contact op met het LAKS op 020-6381792. Je kunt meer informatie over onze standpunten vinden op www.laks.nl.
| |
|
| “Know Thy Enemy: a Reading Exercise in the series: The Making of a Terrorist | | the new Centre for Art and Politics in The Hague | Dear Friends
On coming Tuesday November 13 Gemak, the new Centre for Art and Politics in The Hague, will host its first debate: “Know Thy Enemy: a Reading Exercise” in the series: “The Making of a Terrorist”.
The debate starts at 19.30, but our doors open at 19.00. You can visit the exhibition Green Zone / Red Zone, of which this debate forms a part, before and after the debate. All debates in this series will be held in English. Entrance is free.
We will ask three experts: Maurits Berger, Rashad Selim and Arjan Erkel to give a neutral analysis of recent texts by Osama ben Laden, President Ahmadinejad, Hamas and Hezbollah. What do these people want? What are they fighting for and against? What do they want of the West? The discussions will be expertly led by Natasja van den Berg, and the audience can participate with questions towards the end.
The findings of this meeting will be used as input for the next debates in this series, on December 11 and January 15, 2008, where we will address the issues of how the terrorist threat is presented in the West and how it is being used to transform our daily lives.
Gemak is located in the Free Academy of Arts on the Paviljoensgracht 20 in Den Haag, in the centre of the City. Take tram 2,3,4 or 6 to the ‘Grote Markt’ stop and it’s only a two-minute walk down the Lutherseburgwal. It is easy to park your car or bicycle in the area!
These debates are made possible due to the financial support of Kosmopolis Den Haag and Hivos NCDO Cultuur Fonds.
Maurits Berger works as an Arabist at the Dutch Foreign Relations Study Institute Clingendael. He specializes in Islamic law and political Islam. Previously he worked as a lawyer in Amsterdam and spent seven years in Egypt and Syria as a researcher and journalist. Is current research focuses on political Islam in the Western world.
Rashad Selim studied art in Bagdad and at St Martins in London. He worked in many different art-related functions in the UK, North Africa and Yemen, including as a consultant for the United Nations and NGOs. He currently is an artist-in-residence at the Vrije Academie of Den Haag, working on a public art project as part of the Green Zone / Red Zone exhibition.
Arjan Erkel completed cultural anthropology studies in 1997. He worked many years for the NGO ´Doctors without Borders`. In August 2002 he was kidnapped by Chechen rebels in Daghestan, and spent 607 days in captivity. After writing a book about this experience he wrote “Samir” (2007) based on his discussions with the Dutch terrorist Samir A. and members of his entourage.
Please send this invitation on to possibly interested friends and acquaintances! | |
|
| Another Crime of Occupation: Iraq's Cultural Heritage Looted, Pillage | | By Robert Fisk, Independent UK |
Posted on September 17, 2007, Printed on September 25, 2007
http://www.alternet.org/story/62810/
2,000-year-old Sumerian cities torn apart and plundered by robbers. The very walls of the mighty Ur of the Chaldees cracking under the strain of massive troop movements
,
For More details | |
|
| Programma van het Kirkuk debat | | Kirkuk: past, present & future | Programma van het Kirkuk debat
Date: Thursday, june 7, 2007
Time: 19.30h
Location: University of Amsterdam(UvA)
Oudemanhuispoort 4-6
Room DO.09
Kirkuk: past, present & future
19.00: commencement
19.30: welcome word and overview of the program
19.35: presentation Lifelines
19.40: presentation KSVN
19.45: introduction and presentation by Rana Abawi( project employee of the IKV)
19.55: start debate en introduction of discussion debate by the moderators (Lifelines & KSVN)
20.00: speakers:
Sir Joost Hilterman
Sir Robert Soeterik
Sir Tayseer Al Alousi
Sir Sheth Jerjis
Sir Mariwan Kani
21.00: responding of speakers
21.20: questions from the salon
21.40: end word | |
|
| Unicef appeal for Iraqi children | Iraqi children need more help, Unicef says.
Iraqi children are getting caught up in a growing humanitarian tragedy as violence continues in the country, the UN Children's Fund (Unicef) has warned.
Half of the four million Iraqis who have fled their homes since the conflict began are children.
for mor details please inter this link | |
|
| In defense of the Iraqi culture .. Self-educated Iraqi! | | Dr. Tayseer Abdul-jabbar Al Alousi | academic and political analyst \ human rights activist
20 / 05 / 2007
tayseer54@hotmail.com
HOME : The first part of the culture of Iraqi historical roots far, known to the Iraqi and others. The recorded human knowledge and the fact that throughout Mesopotamia ten thousand year witnessed inadmissible [military], but even in those defeats, "military" was the victor culturally and civilized .. The Iraqis did not hesitate in the march of civilization and the details of their cultures, and diversity of wealth to move before; what he always bright side of a culture of openness and enlightenment, and the foundations of human civilization and heritage immortal .. So what were Iraqi culture and cultured Iraqi Resident in need of refurbishing or certificates Testimonials sick and miserable on the way literature and press rashness pregnant diseases [enemies of Iraqi culture glowing]!?
Today we read a few lines written by the aliases and other convulsive malicious attackers cultured Iraqi worse Iraqi culture in the fabrication of fabricating a crisis or a problem .. The last thing we started to read and hear what attaches to the convening of the intellectuals, thinkers and academics Iraqis in the Jordanian capital Amman. Congress introduced himself and members being part of the march of Iraqi culture and organizations, it was one of their tributaries is not a substitute for any cultural organization in Iraqi masses by any of them not to claim absolute representation of the culture and educated Iraqis ...
This presentation characterized humbled indicates keen conferees on the confirmation of respecting others who did not attend the conference, and the glorification of pluralism and diversity in the context of Iraqi culture, and to revere the large size of the qualitative cultured Iraqi hand in the preparation at home or deployed in the immigrant and the Diaspora, What could not be putting them in that one ... But the conference held on the grounds that the delay in the establishment of Iraqi culture is unacceptable when pretexts stopped at the doors of the collection [each] intellectuals Iraqis or not the meeting also appeared in certain voices! The owners found the project "Iraqi Council for Culture," The journey begins with a single step and this step was a serious attempt to reunite on the mean culture and intellectual concerns and address the forms of stalking and forfeitures and assassination attempts and acts of physical liquidation and moral literary ... Thus, the conference was an opportunity for synergy Oman experiences, consolidation and encapsulated in treatments approved a constituent of the work and issued a communiqué summary focuses on things Chairperson awaiting Iraqi intellectuals to work for the development of solutions and treatments, and the alternatives are expected to take place as well as important projects for the march new quality ...
The members of Congress many of the language of political discourse and ills such as paying attention to talk about issues [sponsorship] cultured and the culture of Iraqis, which is problematic to be behind the transfer of diseases actually inside the body, including cultural hinder any move to activate the role of culture and intellectuals in providing alternatives to the existing crisis .. The meeting in elite academic creative ground to affirm the national identity of the Iraqi intellectuals and unity founded and the refusal to dismantlement and fragmentation and the insignificant, and tussle on political grounds, such as artificial sectarian divisions and subdivisions and walk partisan groups or those based on false accusations and background even when invited research in partial reconciliation hobbling essence cancellation incomplete and alternatives ....
They noted with me here that any initiative to meet with Iraqi interact, and standardization efforts are subjected to questions innuendo and accusation and attempt to dump the initiative this way senseless to live in illusions satisfactory theories such as the conspiracy theory that any initiative begins, but start planning Conspiracy from regional and international quarters or agents of local miscreants or criminals from the remnants of the former regime! Thus looking for a room for Abusing language and innuendo and accusation is not ... Cases have been attacking the absolute formula for the conference and its members all on the basis of personal attack or other or reality in the life of this personal or cultural. Most attacks were satisfactory based on the marginal details to the qualitative essence of the mission of Iraqi culture .. It is talking about a previous marriage to personal or visit or a meeting to the third floor and ends at the doors of those details are formulated methods Mckhsanh actions ... The right say : that those attacks and accusations against the Iraqi cultural figures are serving the first place points robbery and damage to an Iraq of today and tomorrow ... Incomplete and alternatives ....
The voices that have spoken care in newspapers yellow flags; tabloid newspapers and scandals from employment or other personality, but did not talk] is not talking weight [on the position of the clear and explicit of the full spectrum of the Iraqi crisis; both rejected foreign occupation of the homeland or in the position courageous and distinguished from the militias and forces of terrorism that caused havoc in the home and devastating and destructive and trying to block the efforts of its sons to reconstruction and building new edifice and tomorrow better and Sightliest ... The final statement came after extensive discussions of all votes diverse and so different to confirm that the rejection of the occupation and the principle of national non-controversial it is not held satisfactory or misleading slogan, as happens in the parties concerned or the characters talk about single occupation naively and away from reading reality and the circumstances of the stage and Chapkatha and requirements foundations and address the burning issues of the nature and priorities; but we educated Iraqis are not in those contexts adolescence or political visions pediatric and extremism, which is not interested in the stability of the Iraqi situation and to reassure the circumstances and needs of security with international and regional required at the moment strongly and specifically the issue of the presence of foreign troops in this circumstance ..
They noted with me here that any initiative to meet with Iraqi interact, and standardization efforts are subjected to questions innuendo and accusation and attempt to dump the initiative this way senseless to live in illusions satisfactory theories such as the conspiracy theory that any initiative begins, but start planning Muammerati from regional and international quarters or agents of local miscreants or criminals from the remnants of the former regime! Thus looking for a room for Abusing language and innuendo and accusation is not ... Cases have been attacking the absolute formula for the conference and its members all on the basis of personal attack or other or reality in the life of this personal or cultural. Most attacks were satisfactory based on the marginal details to the qualitative essence of the mission of Iraqi culture .. It is talking about a previous marriage to personal or visit or a meeting to the third floor and ends at the doors of those details are formulated methods Mckhsanh actions ... The right say : that those attacks and accusations against the Iraqi cultural figures are serving the first place points robbery and damage to an Iraq of today and tomorrow ... Incomplete and alternatives ....
1. Party mentioned earlier transcend language in political discourse on cultural and academic knowledge, and this does not reduce electronic knowledge and variety but even flattening of the same political discourse; when dealing with this discourse of a narrow window overlooking individual items of this speech is also dealing with the occupation of a single stop at the principle of rejecting the occupation and the right to resist [the way]! The minimum] and not political discourse unit] begins and ends when this principle and when this individual! And, of course, aware that the rational life rich in the implications and requirements and needs and rights suicide at the feet of single items of life ....
2. Party believes in the independence of the cultural discourse that has nothing to do with each other electronic knowledge that they are not only independent but Diak discourse is his cultural quite separate from the rest of the letters and believes that discussing the culture in one regard creative literary and artistic as; neglected complexity of human cognitive abilities and the importance of interactions and realistic search results objective and appropriate mental logic ...
3. One of the injured remained outside the Conference Jam feelings and anger at the Gate accusations misinformation on both fired feature employment to all members of Congress or issues concerning accusations abatement obvious goal of a pattern of exposure of personal privilege or accepting bribes and selling of conscience and call for material interests cheap! It is natural that such a party looking for any slip or mistake or misunderstanding or charged in the personal history of pure cultured member of the conference .. It is right to respond here on these fabrications that culture remain active additive addressed by the members of the community voluntarily turn requires diligence on the specifics of the collective make this work and respect personal affairs as a first principle. It is only fair and logical that the correct focus is on the right dialogues in the correct a mistake in vision or idea under discussion and dialogue is not ... Will act attackers committed to substantive dialogue?! Did we really talked credibility and the secretariat or filled inadmissible and slanderous allegations?
4. The other party is to those who are looking for their section of appearances and attendance at the forums were not in a forum where Challenge .. These users and pundits and skinned It is not useful to discuss with them or asking them if their dealings with Alhamsheeat loose poor ...
5. What I am referring here exactly in this respect and to extend my thanks to all Quizzical or discussant and axes made protesting or asking for assurance of the support of the government's position or to the idea of objectivity or enriching march and these represent important quantitatively and qualitatively. We need to offer them tribute to interpenetrations We certainly expect them, after brief them on the rules of procedure of the newborn and the final communiqué and the programs and projects work, to show their objectivity to develop construction projects and contributing to the positive sense, which should have it in their power base for the development and progress of national cultural projects noble ... It goes beyond that of the alleged first time there had been many attempts to work on the organization of our educated men will be linked to those attempts beneficiaries of the study factors failures and successes motives negotiable .. And I am confident that this restructuring will thanks to factors such as :
1. Executive practical spirit with the initiators and the Preparatory Committee and the availability of appropriate material support workers over the first year of life march Iraqi council for culture .. The conferees recognize this fact; they Election of two sites work and performance are the Secretary-General and Mrs. occupied functions decision that Mr. Zubaidi ARAHIM Mrs. Ghada may turn out Nhia practically serious active and influential. And yet thanks to a number of players and members of Congress act remains latent in the broader qualitative should be done through new windows welcome lift from Withers individual tasks march and transformation of collective action in the performance of the Secretariat of two sacred days of Attaehema and performance throughout the preparations for and during the conference also ...
2. Detour spectrums of our educated men in a variety of visions and ideas and patterns of giving and specialization. And everyone interaction in the framework of national identity and an Iraqi with a clear and firm assurance to uphold the privacy of ethnic nationalism and freedoms and respect for the other factors are given real opportunities for cross-fertilization of cultures in the Federal National reacted humanly and modalities bright ... 3. Adoption Secularization and according essentially correct in respect for religions, sects and provide rights to free practices of the culture of enlightenment and emancipation from any form of confiscations and cancellation or from any influence of the language of branding religious and political embargo would give serious meaning for building state institutions on the foundations of national civil strong presence there is available to all but both of the parties based on the anti-humanity ...
4. The new institution embrace the cultural and intellectual discourse Iraqi in his independent without neglecting the rest of the letters and interaction with the specialization according to the priorities here and not separation and independence intersection ...
5. The existence of mechanisms of action was planned and deliberate and will follow according designed programs after-depth study as well as the reception Altejarib and experience and interaction with ensuring march consecutive successes ..
Generally, the Amman conference is not over after work .. Agreements have been seriously as a statement of Oman after the completion of studies privileged .. Packaging and projects and direction for implementation requires the efforts of other things as practical after Applied planning efforts .. It is natural to say : A, this is not incompatible with the existence of the boards of Iraqi culture or the birth of another in the current circumstances of a shadowy Iraqi state and torn .. But inevitably, we will be in a state of harmony and interaction between all those Iraqi councils for culture even unite in an appropriate atmosphere. As originally to be educated Iraqi national council and one that embraces diversity with its leanings and languages of the sons of the nation as well as the advancement functions care packages abroad, and our educated men in their exiles coercive and optional .. It will be important to look carefully looked at all warned with this reality in our pluralistic cultural and modalities of interaction and unite their efforts not to accept cases and dislikes competition and narrow interests harmful .. It may be recalled that our organizations have absorbed the lesson and were positively spirit and deal with the experience we concluded the writers and writers, many organizations inside the country and earn Commonwealth writers and artists Democrats Iraqis and the Iraqi Parliament cultural diaspora and other organizations in Iraqi culture outside the home and earn our personalities academic and cultural act in solidarity with the existing ground ...
To describe the atmosphere of the rest of our conference and panel discussions and interviews can enhance and support and address what might young things should be updated .. Besides meeting. | |
|
| A delegation from the international campaign to remove article 7 of the Kurdistan constitution presented a petition and more than 4000 signatures to t | On the 27th March 2007, a delegation from the international campaign to remove Article 7 consisted of Houzan Mahmoud, the campaign coordinator; Sozan Shehab, a member of Kurdistan parliament; and Stivan Shamzinani, journalist and campaign representative in Kurdistan visited the Kurdistan parliament in Erbil in order to present all the signatures, letters of support and a petition to demand separation of religion from state affairs.
The campaign delegates were greeted and met by Mr Forsat Ahmad, the head of the constitution committee, as well as Mr Shirwan Haidary, Mr Tariq Jambaz, and Mrs Pakshan Zangana, members of the constitutional committee. During the meeting, Houzan Mahmoud spoke about the idea behind the campaign to establish a secular constitution, and avoid imposing an Islamic and theocratic constitution on the people of Kurdistan. Houzan, in her speech, said that “We are here and represent masses of people and we would like to inform you that people don’t want Islamic Sharia Law and that they have already organised their lives according to secular values.” She added that it is this reality that has created the potential for changing Article 7.
For more details ÊÝÖá áÞÑÇÁÉ ÈÞíÉÈíÇä ÇáÅÏÇäÉ | |
|
| openheid over irak nu | Openheid over Irak, nú
Welkom op de website van 'Openheid over Irak', een onafhankelijke burgerbeweging die zich inzet voor onderzoek naar de Nederlandse steun aan de oorlog tegen Irak. Vier jaar na het begin van de oorlog weigert de regering nog steeds antwoord te geven op talloze wezenlijke vragen rond die destijds al zeer omstreden steun. Vragen omtrent zorgvuldigheid, maar ook omtrent mogelijke misleiding en leugens. Wij vinden dat er zo snel mogelijk een parlementaire enquête naar 'Irak' moet komen, maar met de huidige politieke verhoudingen dreigt de zaak nog zeker vier jaar in de doofpot te blijven. Dat is een democratie onwaardig. Wij zullen op alle mogelijke manieren blijven aandringen op onderzoek. U kunt ons daarbij steunen door onze actie te ondertekenen en door zélf in actie te komen.
áãÊÇÈÚÉ ÇáÞÑÇÁÉ æÇáãÓÇåãÉ Ýí ÇáÊæÞíÚ Úáì ÇáÍãáÉ ÊÝÖáæÇ ÈÏÎæá åÐÇ ÑÇÈØ
![Eis OpenHeid Over Irak NU !]() src="http://www.openheidoverirak.nu/afbeeldingen/banner.gif" border="0" height="41"
width="150">
Eis Openheid Over Irak nu | |
|
| Symposium Initiatieven voor duurzame moderniteit Uitnodiging | Symposium
Initiatieven voor duurzame moderniteit
Uitnodiging
Den Haag. 07 april 2007
Geachte heer/ mevrouw,
Namens het CCK, Cultureel Centrum Koerden in Den Haag, nodigen wij u uit om een twee daagse Symposium in de gelegenheid van de herdenking van Aafal operaties te wonnen.
Het Cultureel Centrum Koerden in Den Haag vindt dat er te veel gesproken, geschreven en gedebatteerd over oorlog in Irak en Koerdistan, daarom willen het hebben in ons symposium over de slachtoffers en overlevenden. Hoe kunnen wij een betere toekomst ontwikkelen voor deze groep door inzetten van hulpverlening, psychisch en emotionele begeleiding?
Daarvoor heeft CCK paar deskundigen en politicus uitgenodigd om over Anfal te praten uit verschillende hoeken en gezinspunten.
Er wordt in de eerste dag een documentaire film over Anfal gepresenteerd.
De voertaal is Nederlands en Arabisch, maar ook Koerdisch als dat nodig is.
De eerste dag vindt op vrijdag 20 april 2007 om 12.00uur tot 18.00uur,
Adres: Tweede kamer gebouw in Den Haag,
Nieuwspoort nr. 10, te Den Haag..
De tweede dag 21 april , om 12.00uur tot 18.00uur,
Adres: Kerketuinenweg 20A
2544 CW Den Haag plaats vinden.
Wij verwachten u actieve deelname aan de discussies tijdens de debatten, dat wil zeggen dat wij u van harte verwelkomen om met ons de herdenking van de slachtoffers van Anfal operaties mee te wonnen.
Voor meer informatie kunt u contact opnemen via telefoonnummers:
06-5235 1910
06-520 75 682
Met vriendelijke groet,
Namens het bestuur van CCK,
Om de conferentie programma te bekijken klik hier | |
|
| Nooit meer Halabja - Nooit meer genocide | De val van het Saddam regime in Irak en de vele van Saddam Hussein is gepleegd; de gifgas aanval op Halabja. Op 16 maart 1988 werd met gifgasgranaten een dodelijk aanval uitgevoerd op de Koerdische stad Halabja, in Zuid Koerdistan, waarbij 5000 mannen, vrouwen en kinderen werden gedood. Daarnaast raakten 10.000 mensen gewond waarvan velen nog steeds lijden onder de gevolgen van de aanval tot aan de dag vandaag. Nog steeds moeten zij het zonder hulp stellen, ook in het huidige Irak dat voor grote delen tot chaos is vervallen.. De huidige machthebbers tonen medelijden met de slachtoffers, en laten ze vervolgens aan hun lot over. Ook dat is tot de dag van vandaag aan de orde. In dezelfde periode, op 18 februari 1988, voerde het Baath regime nog een operatie uit tegen de Koerdische bevolking in Zuid Koerdistan. De operatie die bekend werd als Anfal, ook hierbij ging het genocide tegen de Koerdische burgerbevolking. Tijdens de operatie verdwenen 182.000 Koerden spoorloos en werden duizenden dorpen verwoest. Een zelfde beeld dat we later in Turkse Koerdistan konden zien, waar door de Turkse staat 4000 dorpen werden vernietigd. Als we nu de slachtoffers van deze gruwelijke operaties herdenken, doen we dat in het besef dat er een einde is gekomen aan de dictatuur van Saddam en zijn volgelingen, die afgelopen december werd opgehangen. Niemand zal kunnen beweren dat die straf onverdiend was. De doodstraf is niet meer van deze tijd, maar er zijn uitzonderingen. Helaas hebben noch de aanval op Halabja, noch de operatie Anfal een rol, gespeeld in de rechtszaak tegen Saddam en zijn medestanders. Dus nog steeds is er geen gerechtigheid voor de Koerden die slachtoffer werden van de Halabja aanval en Anfal. Ook de nieuwe machthebbers laten zich aan de slachtoffers van deze misdaden weinig gelegen liggen. De genocide tegen de Koerden mag nu erkend zijn op internationaal niveau, maar dit is niet voldoende voor de slachtoffers en hun familieleden. Wel is het een belangrijk stap in de strijd tegen de misdadigers, die er nog steeds van uit gaan dat ze ongestraft kunnen moorden. Maar er zijn meer stappen nodig stap richting een vrij Koerdistan, waar mensen kunnen leven zonder de inmenging van regionale machten als Turkije en wereld machten zoals de VS. Kortom de strijd is nog lang niet voorbij. Nog steeds worden de Koerden onderdrukt in Turkije, Syrië en Iran. Nog steeds wordt er op ongewapende demonstranten geschoten en worden er bomaanslagen gepleegd door de contraguerrilla. Nog steeds verdwijnen er mensen en worden politieke activisten zonder vorm van proces jarenlang opgesloten. Nog steeds is er in heel Koerdistan geen vrijheid van meningsuiting en ligt de pers aan de ketting van de censuur. In het kader van deze herdenking stellen wij de volgende eisen: 1. De misdaden in Halabja en tijdens Anfal moeten als nog in een rechtzaak aan de orde komen. De slachtoffers en de nabestaanden hebben hier recht op. 2. 16 maart moet worden uitgeroepen als de dag tegen chemische wapens en genocide tegen het Koerdische volk in heel Koerdistan en de wereld. 3. De huidige machthebbers moeten gedwongen worden om hulp e geven aan de slachtoffers van Halabja en Anfal. Zij moeten als officiële oorlogsslachtoffers en compensatie ontvangen van de Iraakse autoriteiten en de bedrijven die gifgas hebben geleverd. 4. De huidige machthebbers moeten officieel excuus aan bieden aan de Koerdische bevolking voor de massamoorden, de deportaties en de arabisering. De mensen die nog vermist zijn moeten gevonden worden. 5. Landen die de verantwoordelijke misdadigers schuilhouden moeten actie ondernemen en deze misdadigers overdragen aan het Koerdische volk voor berechting. 6. De getroffen gebieden moeten heropgebouwd worden met aandacht voor onderwijs, industrie en infrastructuur. Om toekomstige massamoorden te voorkomen moet de Koerdische bevolking het recht op zelfbeschikking krijgen wat door een referendum in gang gezet kan worden. Het moet een vrij en democratisch referendum zijn dat internationaal wordt erkend. Pas als aan deze eisen is voldaan kan het Koerdische volk uit kijken naar een vrije en vreedzame toekomst. Nooit meer Halabja!! Vrijheid en rechtvaardigheid voor Kurdistan!!
Comité Herdenking Halabja in Nederland, 7 maart 2007
CCK / Den haag
Federatie Koerden in Nederland – FED-KOM
Koerdische Jongeren en Studenten Unie
(Media Centrum)
Patriotic Union of Kurdistan – Benelux
Halabja Centrum Tegen Genocide van Koerdische Volk – CHAK | |
|
| Press Release by Iraq Higher Education Organising Committee in UK | Press Release by Iraq Higher Education Organising Committee in UK
November 3, 2006
The latest news from Baghdad of the assassination of Dr Isam Kadhim Al-Rawi the chair of the Iraqi University Academics is the latest in the chain of the heinous and terrorist acts to destroy Iraq professional and scientific infrastructure, which have claimed the lives of hundreds university lecturers and thousands scholars and professionals (doctors, engineers, lawyers, school teachers, writers, artists, etc.) most needed for the rebuilding and development of the country. The targeting and terrorizing of the intellectuals of the country through murder, kidnapping, blackmail, threats and forced immigration is a further chapter of the violence and chaos that is suffered by all Iraqis and is tearing through the national, social and economic fabric of the country.
The security in Iraq is still in the hand of the allied forces, and the US forces in particular, and it is their duty, in accordance with the Geneva Convention and the relevant resolution of the UN Security Council, that they shoulder the responsibilities for the security and order in the country as well as the protection of its citizens and cultural heritage.
Iraq Higher Education Organising Committee in UK , following its previous calls to protect the lives of Iraqi academics, calls upon the Iraqi government and the American, the British and other UN mandated forces in Iraq to take all necessary steps to prevent this carnage and ensure the security and unity of the country. We also call on UN, regional and international organisations to express their solidarity by taking all necessary actions to help the Iraqi academics and scholars to survive this ordeal so that they may resume their role as the custodians of Iraq’s culture and learning and the builder of new and democratic Iraq.
We further call upon all peace-loving people and civic organisations in USA and UK to demand of their governments to shoulder their responsibilities to improve security and to speedily act to protect all Iraqi academics and professionals.
Iraq Higher Education Organising Committee in UK
University of Westminster,
London
alhussa@wmin.ac.uk
www.wmin.ac.uk/iraq-he/ | |
|
| Cursus Kalligrafie, Papiermarmeren kunst en Ney geopend op de IUE | Cursus Kalligrafie, Papiermarmeren kunst en Ney geopend op de IUE
Kalligrafie
Binnen de Islamitische kunsten neemt de Islamitische kalligrafie een
belangrijke plaats in. Door de eeuwen heen heeft deze kunst zich, door
het
werk van duizenden kunstenaars, ontwikkeld en zijn hoogtepunt bereikt in
de
19e eeuw. Met dit kunstschrift hebben Moslims hun boeken geschreven en
hun moskeeën, grafstenen en fonteinen versierd.
De Islamitische kalligrafie wordt nog steeds volgens de traditionele
methode
onderwezen en de interactie tussen docent en leerling vormt een
belangrijk
onderdeel van het onderwijs. Tijdens de lessen wordt gebruik gemaakt van
speciaal en natuurlijk lesmateriaal. De belangstelling voor de
Islamitische kalligrafie groeit met de dag;
tegenwoordig worden de meesterweken van de Islamitische kalligrafie zeer
gewaardeerd en in veilinghuizen in Parijs, Londen en Istanbul voor hoge
bedragen geveild.
Schrijfinstrumenten in kalligrafie, theoretisch en praktisch opleiding.
Het leren schrijven en lezen van de schrijfinstrumenten in kalligrafie
zoals; het soeloes schrift, het naskh’ schrift, het riq’a schrift, het
diwani schrift etc.
Datum: elke zaterdag 10.00-12.00 uur
Docent: assos. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Refii KILECI
Wat is het Papiermarmeren kunst ( Ebru )?
Ebru (in het Perzisch Ebr = wenkbrauw) is niet alom bekend. Men weet
niet precies waar en wanneer is ontstaan. Ebru techniek is gebaseerd op
het druppelen en/of aanbrengen van verf met een kwast in een oplossing
van keven sprietjes. Op het water wordt een stuk papier gelegd. Speciale
papier wordt ongeveer na 10 seconden verwijderd. Daardoor krijgt men
unieke motieven op papier.
Traditionele ebru kunst wordt al door de eeuwen in stand gehouden met
inzet van handjevol kunstenaars. Het is verheugend te melden dat er
steeds meer belangstelling voor Ebru is.
Theoretisch en praktisch opleiding van de Turkse traditie Papiermarmeren
kunst (marmering van papier).
Datum: elke zaterdag 13.00 -16.00 uur
Docent: assos. Prof. Dr. Mehmet Refii KILECI
U kunt contact opnemen via:
IUE
Tel: 010-4710026 Fax: 010-4705855
E-mail: refii@kileci.net | |
|
| Statement About Draft Constitution...Iraqi Communist Party - Central Information Bureau | 29 August 2005
Statement About Draft Constitution
The text of the adopted draft constitution of the republic of Iraq, which will be put to a public referendum in mid October 2005, was read out yesterday in the National Assembly in Baghdad.
The declaration of this document, and the forthcoming referendum, constitute an important development in the on-going political process in the direction of consolidating democracy and its institutions, completing the transitional period, restoring security and normal conditions, and achieving our country’s full sovereignty and independence.
The draft constitution has emerged out of a protracted process, due to the fact that it has taken place under difficult conditions in our country, on political, security and socio-economic levels, as well as a balance of forces that has developed out of abnormal and exceptional circumstances. It is the outcome of a struggle between different visions and opinions with regard to the future of Iraq.
All this had its direct and deep impact on the process of drafting the constitution that we had wanted, and strived for, to be one that enjoys consensus among the various constituents of our people: ethnic, religious, confessional and political, and also express a spirit of equal citizenship for Iraqis.
While viewing positively the draft constitution in its general context, we stress at the same time our reservation regarding many of its articles, especially those that, in some of their clauses and formulation, encroach upon the desired civil-democratic character of the constitution, and those that restrict women rights and do not allow them to achieve equality with men.
Finally, we had hoped that the process of writing the constitution, presenting it to the people and for referendum, would take place in a more transparent manner and in more conformity with the need for respecting parliamentary traditions and norms.
************** | |
|
| Alexandria library blocks human rights web sites | 14th August 2005
The Arabic network for Human Rights information described Alexandria library blocking human rights web sites as a wrong decision that contradicts its supposed enlightening role.
The executive director of HRINFO Gamal Eid was there during 7-9th August to deliver a lecture as part of the course organized by the Egyptian institute for training and human rights at the library.
He tried to browse some web sites such as he human rights watch's but he couldn't.
some trainees who are members at human rights NGOs in Alexandria and some members at the library friends association told him that the administration blocked some sites such as human rights watch, amnesty international and some e-mail famous web sites like yahoo and hotmail.
What is strange is that no one could give any kind of explanation for such a decision. Eid knew that there are many other web sites blocked and could not get any explanation from the library's administration.
HRINFO finds this decision, whatever the reasons, contradictory to the role of the library and its grate history.
It is also considered a negative monitor regarding the right o dismantle information of which the visitors and workers of the library were deprived.
HRINFO calls upon the administration to correct this mistake soon and asks the government, again, to stop blocking web sites immediately especially the opposition web sites such as Al-Amal party , Muslim brotherhood and the Shaab newspaper web sites.
ãßÊÈÉ ÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ ÊÍÌÈ ãæÇÞÚ ÍÞæÞ ÇáÅäÓÇä Úáì ÇáÅäÊÑäÊ
14/8/2005
ÇáÞÇåÑÉ Ýí 14 ÃÛÓØÓ 2005¡ æÕÝÊ ÇáÔÈßÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ áãÚáæãÇÊ ÍÞæÞ ÇáÅäÓÇä Çáíæã ÇáÍÙÑ ÇáÐí ÝÑÖÊå ãßÊÈÉ ÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ Úáì ÏÎæá ÈÚÖ ãæÇÞÚ ÇáãäÙãÇÊ ÇáÍÞæÞíÉ Úáì ÔÈßÉ ÇáÅäÊÑäÊ ÈÃäå ÞÑÇÑ ÎÇØÆ ¡ æ íÊäÇÝí ãÚ ÇáÏæÑ ÇáÊäæíÑí ÇáÐí íÝÊÑÖ ÈÇáãßÊÈÉ Ãä ÊÞæã Èå .
æßÇä ÇáãÏíÑ ÇáÊäÝíÐí ááÔÈßÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ áãÚáæãÇÊ ÍÞæÞ ÇáÅäÓÇä æÃËäÇÁ ÅáÞÇÆå áãÍÇÖÑÉ Öãä ÇáÏæÑÉ ÇáÊí äÙãÊåÇ ÇáãÄÓÓÉ ÇáãÕÑíÉ ááÊÏÑíÈ æÍÞæÞ ÇáÅäÓÇä Ýí ãßÊÈÉ ÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ Ýí ÇáÝÊÑÉ ãä 7-9 ÃÛÓØÓ ÇáÌÇÑí
ÞÏ ÍÇæá ÏÎæá ãæÞÚ ãäÙãÉ "åíæãÇä ÑÇíÊÓ ææÊÔ " ßãËÇá ááãæÇÞÚ ÇáÍÞæÞíÉ ÇáãÑÌÚíÉ
ÅáÇ Ãäå áã íÓÊØÚ ÇáÏÎæá Åáíå ¡ ÍíË ÃÔÇÑ ÈÚÖ ÇáãÊÏÑÈíä ÇáãäÊãíä áÚÏÏ ãä ãÄÓÓÇÊ ÇáãÌÊãÚ ÇáãÏäí ÈÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ æÈÚÖåã íäÊãí áÌãÚíÉ ÃÕÏÞÇÁ ãßÊÈÉ ÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ äÝÓåÇ
Ãä ÇáãßÊÈÉ ÞÏ ãäÚÊ ÇáÏÎæá áÈÚÖ ÇáãæÇÞÚ ÇáÍÞæÞíÉ ãËá åíæãÇä ÑÇíÊÓ ææÊÔ æãäÙãÉ ÇáÚÝæ ÇáÏæáíÉ ¡ ÝÖáÇ Úä ÃÞÓÇã ÇáÈÑíÏ ÇáÅáßÊÑæäí ÇáÊÇÈÚ áÚÖ ÇáãæÇÞÚ ãËá åæÊ ãíá æíÇåææ .
æãä ÇáÛÑíÈ Ãäå ãÇ ãä ÃÍÏ ÇÓÊØÇÚ ÊÈÑíÑ åÐÇ ÇáãäÚ ÇáÐí Úáã ÇáãÏíÑ ÇáÊäÝíÐí ááÔÈßÉ Ãä ÇáÞÑÇÑ Ôãá ÇáÚÏíÏ ãä ÇáãæÇÞÚ ÇáÃÎÑì ÏæäãÇ Ãä ÊÞÏã ÅÏÇÑÉ ÇáãßÊÈÉ ÊÝÓíÑÇ áÐáß ¿!
æÊÌÏ ÇáÔÈßÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ áãÚáæãÇÊ ÍÞæÞ ÇáÅäÓÇä Ãä åÐÇ ÇáÞÑÇÑ æÃíÇ ßÇä ãÈÑÑå ¡ íÊäÇÞÖ ÊãÇãÇ ãÚ ÏæÑ ãßÊÈÉ ÇáÅÓßäÏÑíÉ æÊÇÑíÎåÇ ÇáÚÙíã ¡ æÃäå íÚØí ãÄÔÑÇ ÓáÈíÇ Úáì ÊÑÇÌÚ ÇáÍÞ Ýí ÊÏÇæá ÇáãÚáæãÇÊ ÇáÐí ÍñÑã ãäå ÒæÇÑ ÇáãßÊÈÉ æßÐáß ÇáÚÇãáæä ÈåÇ .
ßãÇ ÊäÇÔÏ ÇáãÓÆæáíä Úä ÇáãßÊÈÉ ÓÑÚÉ ÊÏÇÑß åÐÇ ÇáÎØà æÇáÚãá Úáì ÅÕáÇÍå ¡ ÍÊì áÇ Êßæä ÓÇÈÞÉ ÊÍÓÈ Úáì åÐÇ ÇáÕÑÍ ÇáßÈíÑ ¡ ÝÖáÇ Úä ÊßÑÇÑ ãØÇáÈÉ ÇáÔÈßÉ ááÍßæãÉ ÇáãÕÑíÉ Ãä ÊÊæÞÝ ÝæÑÇ Úä ÓíÇÓÉ ÍÌÈ ÇáãæÇÞÚ ÇáÊí ÊäÊåÌåÇ ÖÏ ÈÚÖ ÇáãæÇÞÚ ÇáãÚÇÑÖÉ áåÇ ¡ ãËá ãæÞÚ ÍÒÈ ÇáÚãá æãæÞÚ ÇáÅÎæÇä ÇáãÓáãæä æßÐáß ÌÑíÏÉ ÇáÔÚÈ ÇáãÚÇÑÖÉ . | |
|
| Interview with Salam Ali, member of the Central Committee - Iraqi Communist Party | When I sat down with Salam Ali in Chicago on the Fourth of July weekend to talk about the developments in Iraq over the past few months, he provided me with a few surprises. Ali is an international representative of the Iraqi Communist Party (ICP). He was visiting Chicago to attend the 28th Convention of the Communist Party, USA, where he extended his Party’s warm greeting and friendship.
Iraq: The Struggle for Sovereignty & Democracy
//////////////////////////////////////////////
by Joel Wendland
Political Affairs Magazine
July 9, 2005
The first time I met Ali was in the fall of 2003 in Detroit at a conference of Iraqi exiles discussing the war, the political developments in Iraq, and the role they could play in aiding the political process and reconstruction of their country. At that meeting Ali described his Party’s hard fought decision to join the political process that had developed out of the war, the collapse of the Saddam Hussein regime, and the ongoing occupation.
Though the ICP opposed the US-led war on their homeland and the occupation, they held no quarter with Saddam Hussein. During his 25 years in power he had turned from the petty tyrant of a non-aligned country with as much leanings toward the Soviet Union as towards the US to a brutal, fascistic dictator who ruled through terror, prisons, repression, and massive bureaucracies in the army, the labor unions, the state enterprises, and other apparatuses. Political competitors and opponents are the bodies now being unearthed in mass graves. Before the Gonzales torture memo, Abu Ghraib was a prison designated for Communists, democrats, and other political opponents.
By the 1980s, Hussein was a willing tool of US imperialism in the Middle East. And like all tools he could be discarded when more suitable tools could be found.
Thousands of Communists, liberals, democrats and others were forced into exile. The Iraqi Communists who stayed in Iraq were forced underground and created the country’s only clandestine human rights operation that regularly reported to the world the crimes of Saddam’s regime.
The decision to join the political process after the collapse of the regime was based in part on this lived history, but mainly on the need to rebuild a society torn apart by decades of war and sanctions. The best road to national sovereignty and reconstruction was a peaceful one, Ali told me two years ago.
Since that time, Bush administration predictions of an easy victory and a short occupation have proven hasty and wrong. The situation turned into a quagmire. An insurgency, despite massive security operations by the Americans, Ali told me during our interview in July, continues to kill 30 people a day in Iraq.
On the matter of the insurgency, Ali points out, there has been a lot of distortions by people in the West, especially on the left, who’d like to see the ICP and other left and democratic groups and parties in Iraq take a different course. Some on the Western left insist that participation in the political process is a form of collaboration and that the insurgency represents a sort of national liberation movement like that in Vietnam or the anti-apartheid movement in South Africa.
Ali’s response to my question on this comparison was mixed with anger and sarcasm. "This perception has nothing to support it in the real situation in Iraq," he replies. "It doesn’t exist. It’s a myth. It’s dangerous as well," he added. Such a comparison is based on a lack of understanding of the specific situation in Iraq and "makes a mockery" of the national liberation movements in other countries. He suggested that these views were made by folks, however well-intentioned, without any real contacts with Iraqis on the ground.
First, the specific ideologies and goals of the vast majority of the groups that are called "the resistance" need careful scrutiny. Islamic fundamentalists comprise a major portion of the insurgent operations. This section is not interested mainly in rebuilding a unified Iraqi nation on a democratic basis, nor are they much interested in the will of the Iraqi people. Ali agrees that they have an anti-American orientation, but "the extreme fundamentalists groups are for their own jihadist idea about an Islamic state," Ali says. "They want to fight a war in Iraq because the Americans are there, and they justify it with their fundamentalist creed. But this does not have much support inside Iraq."
Former Ba’athist supporters of the Saddam Hussein regime compose another major section of the insurgency, especially former members of the administrative bureaucracy and his intelligence and security forces. This section is pragmatic and prone to violence rather than anti-imperialist. According to Ali, former Ba’athists are known to collaborate with both the Americans and the Islamic fundamentalist insurgents. They mainly are interested in using terror as a political bargaining chip to regain privileges and positions lost when the Hussein regime collapsed. The Bush administration seems willing to allow them to do so.
In fact, Ali argues, if the Pentagon hadn’t been so inept on the ground in Iraq, their original plan to rehabilitate the Ba’athist intelligence and security apparatus might have been successful. As it stands, however, former regime apparatchiks have struck deals with the US military, US intelligence forces, and other government forces allowing them to attain former privileges, release from detention, and to act as informers on their own neighbors. "Those people have no problems with the Americans," Ali states. "You can detect no hostility by meeting figures of Saddam’s regime who are now in detention." They are simply biding their time waiting for an opportunity regain access to the reigns of power. This, Ali says, is not a basis of any sort of legitimate national liberation movement.
Both of these sections of the insurgency are not above attacking civilians, uniformed Iraqi police, or rescue workers. Car bombings, kidnappings, assassinations are their tools, and Iraqi civilians are the main victims. They have aided the US military’s goal of promoting sectarian divisions and strife as a tool of control and prolonging the occupation. They have targeted labor union leaders, communists, and other democratic-minded people. The fundamentalists have attacked students, workers, and members of other religious institutions.
They have even attacked barbers, says Ali. In recent months, fundamentalists attacked barbershops in the Baghdad area in a wave of violence, killing 12 people. Their claim: barbers are corrupting the youth by promoting shorter hairstyles.
There is a patriotic section of the insurgency, says Ali, that has targeted only US occupation forces and have not attacked civilians or Iraqi police. "We estimate," Ali surmises, "this to be maybe 5 to 10 percent, no more, of the overall operations that take place." But this section of the insurgency hasn’t manifested itself politically and many have since rejoined the political process.
A more detailed view of what the insurgency looks like should discard the broad brush strokes used to idealize the insurgency as a national liberation movement, Ali adds. The Bush administration also favors describing the situation in abstract, generalizing terms. We hear terms like "Sunni Arabs," the "insurgency," and "Shi’ites" specifically to cloud the issues and promote an image of Iraq as a confused and dangerous place. Antiwar political movements shouldn’t aid in clouding the issues with fantastic historical comparisons. Distorted views of the Iraqi reality "doesn’t help in understanding the situation and doesn’t help to develop solidarity with the democratic and anti-occupation forces," Ali concludes.
At the present, armed opposition, even from patriotic forces, isn’t the path the vast majority of Iraqi people have chosen as the best avenue to regaining national sovereignty and an end to the occupation, Ali points out. "When you had 8 million out of 14 million come out for the elections," Ali wonders, "isn’t that an indication? What does that mean? At worst, Iraq society is divided. Sixty percent decided to take a risk and take part in the political process." This figure would have been much higher given a better security situation.
Participation in the political process, however flawed, Ali says, is the will of the people. That the process was established by the occupation and therefore wholly illegitimate, he suggests, is a flawed analysis. The occupation forces have not always been able to impose their will on the political process. The current timetable endorsed by the UN Security Council Resolution 1546 was not authored by the Bush administration but was the result of a struggle between Iraqis and the occupation forces.
The political dimension of the struggle for sovereignty is the only current effective means that Iraqis can undertake in a peaceful way, Ali believes, to bring the occupation to an end. If the political process isn’t adhered to by the Bush administration, and, Ali points out there is every sign the administration is working hard to thwart the process, a new situation where the insurgency is more united, adopts a political program that reflects the views of the majority of the Iraqi people, and isn’t motivated by greed for power might emerge. But he refused to speculate, except to say that any new course for regaining national sovereignty would be the will of the mass of Iraqis, not the decision of a small group of people.
Despite the fact that the political process as it currently stands is not the sole will of the Bush administration, it is being manipulated by the administration through the promotion of sectarianism and fear of terrorism to provoke disunity among Iraqis.
From the beginning, the Iraqi Communists adopted the role of building unity among the various national forces, sectors, groups, institutions, and political parties in a peaceful manner to bring the occupation to a rapid end, seize national sovereignty, and rebuild the country. Ali says, that early on the Party received positive signals from various representative groups on this matter.
But as the elections approached, groups that favored the national unity concept broke away to form sectarian based political lists. The next option the Party endorsed was a broad democratic electoral coalition. Unfortunately the center forces that were candidates for such a list also chose to go their own way. Ali says, that the "go-it-alone" tactic failed as most of these center, secular groupings didn’t win seats in the National Assembly. "In this way," he states, "many of the small democratic groupings wasted votes."
So in the end, the ICP promoted a "people’s unity" list that included various democratic groups. It won 70,000 votes in the national elections and 160,000 votes in the municipal elections. Their current work in building broad political unity includes 22 smaller groups centered on writing a democratic constitution that codifies basic human rights and softens the harshest demands for an Islamic law based Constitution by the religious fundamentalist elements in the National Assembly.
Another aspect of the political process is the timetable for US troop withdrawal. Once a democratic Constitution is written, scheduled to be completed in mid-August, a referendum will be held in October. When the Constitution is adopted, new national elections will be scheduled in December or January. "This will mark the end of the transitional stage of the political process," says Ali. "And according to the UN Security Council Resolution 1546, this should bring to an end the mandate for the multinational force." Ali states emphatically that a timetable for withdrawal already is in place, that the political process must be kept on course to bring about the correct conclusion, and that efforts to thwart the process have to be exposed and stopped.
But, Ali adds, there’s strong evidence that the US administration has no intention of abiding by this timetable. The Bush administration’s promotion of fear over ongoing attacks is being used "to fudge the issue." Ali referred to Bush’s meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jaafari in June at which Bush scoffed at the idea of a timetable and said that he told al-Jaafari there was no timetable for withdrawal. This statement was "very arrogant," Ali says. "And they get away with it, because in Iraq the people are totally distracted by the violence."
Ali says that the Iraqi Communist Party has been very critical of al-Jaafari’s recent political maneuvers to aid the administration in clouding the issue of a timetable. Without consultation with his cabinet or the National Assembly, al-Jaafari sided with the administration on prolonging the occupation. This and al-Jaafari’s failure to actually seize the reigns of power provided in the political process to his government may threaten his political future in the next elections. Al-Jaafari’s unilateral decision provoked 83 members of the National Assembly, including the Communists, to sign a memorandum demanding adherence to the timetable for withdrawal and seizure of national sovereignty.
The memorandum signaled growing opposition to al-Jaafari’s abuse of power and collaboration with Bush administration goals. Jaafari won his post by making big promises, Ali recalls, to provide some basic services, to stay the course on the current political process, and to begin to allow the Iraqi government to regain power. He has failed to do these things. Jaafari seems interested not in national sovereignty as much as he is in using the Bush administration and the US military as the crutch for carving out a permanent political hold onto power for the post-transition period.
It remains the editorial opinion of Political Affairs that all US troops must be withdrawn. A war founded on lies, intended to extend the power of US imperialism in the Middle East and to control resources there was not ours to fight. Despite the accomplishment of removing Saddam Hussein from power, the illegal unilateralist approach to the invasion, the destruction of the lives of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians and the ensuing quagmire of occupation is not a price worth the sacrifice of 1,750 US lives, tens of thousands wounded and injured, or hundreds of billions in stolen resources.
The Bush administration’s claim that war on Iraq, a response to September 11th, has made the world safer has been shown to be worthless. In fact, the London terror attacks highlight that indeed the world is indeed less safe than ever. 3,000 terror attacks rocked the world last year, and still the perpetrators of the September 11th atrocity roam the countryside of Afghanistan and Pakistan freely. This fact is also a great crime. A war based on lies aimed at oil greed was used to help us forget, temporarily, the struggle to bring terrorists to justice. Bush is incapable of accomplishing this task and a full investigation into how he led us into an illegal war is necessary. The blood of our dead brothers and sisters, mothers and fathers, sons and daughters cries out for justice.
Meanwhile, we support the struggles of Salam Ali and his Party to bring democracy and sovereignty to Iraq. We support the struggle of Iraq’s working class and its organized trade unions led by the Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions to battle the theft of Iraq’s natural resources, the privatization of its public services, and the right of every Iraq worker to organize and collectively bargain. We support the people of Iraq in their broad effort to rebuild their country and defend it from all invaders, whether foreign terrorists or foreign armies. And we respect their right to choose how to do it. | |
|
| HELP SOS HUMAN ISSUE HELP!!! | In the name of the god
The name : Dr. A S M / Ph.D in mathematics
The age : 46 years
The description of the case : I have non-hodgkin lymphoma (low grade ) in the abdomen. The disease was diagnosed in 20/12/2004. The volume of the tumor in CT-scan was 32*26.5*15.7 CM. I took six courses of full dose of CHOP. The first course was taken in 2/1/2005 and the sixth course was taken in 28/4/2005 .I did not have much response from these courses. So the drug was changed to Cladribine. I took every day Cladribine( 10 solution [ 5 ml with 10 mg 2-CDA (2mg/ml)]) for five days. Also there was no response from this course.
The ultra-sound report : After all these courses,the report is the following:
Multiple lymphoma enlargment still seen at the para aortic region, para caval region, interaortic- caval region, extending along the para aortic region down to the para iliac region bilaterally, more marked on the Rt side.
The largest one is of 4.2 cm with dense hyperechoic center within.
Multiple LN at the mesenteric region too.
Liver : is of normal size, smooth homogenous texture, diffuse increase at its echogenicity ? effect of treatment, no focal SOL, normal calibre PV& IVC.
GB : Normal size, normal wall thickness, no stone. Normal calibre CBD, no dilated biliary tree.
Spleen become of normal size & texture.
Pancreas is of normal size & texture.
Both kidneys are of normal size, site & outline, normal parenchymal thickness & echogenicity. Patent PCSs. No stone no any other focal SOL.
UB : Normal outline, normal wall thickness, no stone, no other focal SOL.
No ascitis, no Pleural effusion, no LN enlargment.
My doctor told me that there is no treatment for my disease in Iraq.
I would like to ask for help
Please help me to be still life
I have only one baby with 4 years old
With best regards | |
|
| Iranian Kurdish Refugees' Committee gravely concern about prospective of kurdish refugees in Turkey what looms fatally | 28 June 2005
press release
compiled by Iranian Kurdish Refugees' Committee in Turkey
Iranian Kurdish Refugees' Committee gravely concern about prospective of kurdish refugees in Turkey what looms fatally
The over thousand Iranian Kurds who are being targeted have all previously resided in Iraq, most of them for many years. They are all recognized as political refugees by the UNHCR. When they came to Turkey in 2001-2002, most were already destitute due to years of living as refugees. They fled Iraq because they were under security threats there and resettlement, UNHCR.s principal instrument of protection for Iranians in this unstable and dangerous region, had long since come to a stand-still. Since their arrival in Turkey, they have not been properly assisted and protected by the government nor by the UNHCR. Moreover both organs have subjected them to collective punishment measures. Implementing a peremptory .irregular mover. policy, UNHCR, the agency mandated to protect and treat refugees humanely, has denied the group all possible protection and assistance for some or all of their stay. This includes refusal to register them, provide them with financial and medical support, resettle them in third countries, and even intervene on their behalf when they have been refouled to Iran by the Turkish police, the gravest possible breach of international refugee law. Except for two windows in 1995-1996 and 2000, UNHCR has been implementing its "irregular mover" policy in Turkey since 1992.
During this period, the Turkish government has closely shadowed UNHCR policy, denying temporary residence permits to refugees and even systematically deporting them whenever UNHCR has labeled them "irregular movers" and refused them resettlement assistance. The Turkish government has, however, granted refugees temporary stay whenever UNHCR has agreed to resettle them. As a result, in the last three years, these refugees have been regarded as .illegal immigrants. and threatened with refoulement every day.
Before the March 2003 US-UK war began in Iraq, UNHCR was issuing formal "irregular mover" decisions to these refugees and endorsing their deportation to Iraq. But since then UNHCR has ceased this and since the overthrow of Saddam.s regime in Iraq, it has officially recommended that all states, including Turkey, maintain a ban on the forced return of any person to Iraq. But then, on August 30, 2003, Turkish police in Van randomly arrested nineteen of the refugees and refouled them to Iran in a matter of hours. In November 2003, fifty-three more of the refugees were detained for a week by the police in Van and threatened with deportation. As reported, the same month, UNHCR and the government finally began .consultations. to find a "solution" for the refugees. The exact details of these talks are still kept under wraps. But in December 2003, UNHCR finally granted all more than thousand members of this refugee group refugees formal refugee status papers. Four months later, in April 2004, the Turkish Ministry of Interior gave refugees permission to relocate to about dozen provincial towns in central Anatolia and to apply for residence permits. But once refugees approached the local police in their new designated provincial towns, they were confronted with exorbitant fees in order to receive their residence permits. There, they also found out that their status was "yabanci" [foreigner] and not "siginmaci" [asylum-seeker]. Until then, they were unaware that, by not being a .siginmaci. they were also excluded from the fundamental protection against refoulement.
An April 12, 2004 Ministry of Interior documentation [see Appendix I] communicated by local police to each adult refugee expressly listed what they were NOT entitled to [emphasis added]:
a.. They shall NOT be considered as alien or refugee whose asylum claim is under consideration.
b.. They shall NOT be entitled to health benefits, provided to refugees or asylum-seekers.
c.. The proceedings for their resettlement in a third country shall NOT be carried out.
d.. They shall be expelled from the country should they engage in unlawful acts.
e.. They or their family members shall NOT be protected from expulsion whether or not they are registered with UNHCR.
f.. Legal fees shall be required of them under the Law of Legal Fees No.492, half value shall be taken for those under the age of 18, retroactive fees shall not be taken for the past periods, but according to Law of Valuable Papers No.210, the cost for the permit shall be taken.
g.. According to the written warnings inside the Residence Permit, any changes in address and marital status and any traveling away from the province shall be notified rapidly to security offices.
h.. The granting of residence permits in Turkey is the result of our country.s good intention towards them. In this context, in the period residing in our country, they shall NOT possess attitudes and commit acts against public order, public health, public morality and national security.
i.. In case they do not obey the aforementioned, their residence permits shall NOT be extended and shall be revoked even if they have valid time left in them and they shall BE EXPELLED AS ALIENS ILLEGALLY STAYING in our country.
Many of the refugees still do not know the fundamental entitlements that they have been excluded from because they do not know the Turkish language and the document has not been translated to them. Nor has UNHCR explained to them the hazards of this dodgy residence permit, much less the reasons behind it.
UNHCR branch of Turkey accepted this group as Refugee at 2004 and subsequently facilitated them to transfer to Anadolian cities.
At first was deemed that this changes go forward and pave resettlement, but unluckily all of these hopes, wasted our breath.
Hither to we have had gatherings opposite UNHCR’s gate in Ankara to attract International attention to our critical situation but unfortunately UN in collusion with police raided the gatherings and delivered them to Court, for instance, 25 refugees from this group delivered to Court in Aksaray – 200 km from capital—because they participated in the complaints.
Furthermore they have to refer to police station for their daily signature and police should check them up every day and refugees haven’t permit to earn money for their life or working, however UN refused them as financial assistance.
Last week when one of refugee in Kaiseri couldn’t present at on time to introduce himself to police station; police arrested him and wildly raided and mugged him.
the International Community mandate UNHCR to find durable solution for refugees: voluntarily repatriation, local integration and resettlement are ways which UN follows them due to circumstances. It is patently obvious that the first and second ones are impossible for us; therefore the only way what is reasonable and ahead of us, tabloid in resettlement.
However this 1200 Iranian Kurdish Political refugees had many times sit-in and strikes against UNHCR's decision for removal prejudice and reach to their rights via resettlement in Van opposite of UNHCR's gate, but because of interference and raiding of Turkish authorities the gathering broke up or menaced to deport enforced.
The discrimination policies of UNHCR in Turkey and their illegally action about this group breach of basic refugee's rights what approved in Convention and Protocol. These refugees who struggled against autocracy and tyranny for establishing a democratic society; have been deliberately neglected by UNHCR Office in Ankara. Separately, other groups – Iranian or others – have been welcomed by UNHCR and their affairs arranged in short time. Especially when asylum seekers who depended on Iranian so-called Reformist Wing referred to the Office, UNHCR summarily accept them and deliver their dossier to third country for resettlement.
Iranian ex-Northern Iraqi Refugees; in conclusion of UNHCR's cruel policies practically have been stamped out all their rights and premeditate thrown to Nadir condition and deadlock situation for 4 years.
These oppressed 1200 refugees need and ask European Union Patriotic, Progressive, Liberal, and Philanthropist Organizations, Correspondents, Journalists, and Human Rights Sources to defend and support them and pres UNHCR branch of Turkey and general Office in Geneva to:
· Put an end to 4 years suspending of this Iranian Kurdish Political Refugees and in respect of this group's destiny, UNHCR conduct its activities with maximum transparency and impartiality and keep International Community fully informed about the situation of this Iranian Refugees; without prejudice from other nationalities.
· 2. Hold UNHCR accountable for its instrumental role in protecting and finding permanent solution for this vulnerable group via resettlement as outlined above, and remove its obstacle against this community.
· 3. Urge the Turkish government to respect its responsibilities and obligations toward these refugees and to cooperate with other government in finding durable solution for them.
Please send your letters to:
Minister of the Interior Representative
Mr. Abdulkadir Aksu Ms. Gesche Karrenbrock
Ministry of Interior UNHCR – Turkey
I?isleri Bakanligi 12 Cadessi 212 Sokak No: 3
06644 Ankara, TURKEY Sancak Mah. 06550 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: 90-312-418-1795 Fax: 90-312-441-2376
very thanks for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely Yours:
Iranian Kurdish Refugees' Committee in Turkey
Sources:
1. Iranian Refugees' Alliance,INC Publication
2. Iranian Kurdish Refugees' Committee Notification on 6 June 2005
3. Iranian ex-Northern Iraqi Refugees have remained in Limbo without any clear horizon for 4 years in Turkey, written by Sardar Rahimi on February 2005 | |
|
| PLEASE OPEN THIS LINKS AND SEE iRAQI ACTIVITIES IN HOLLAND? | | From Saeb Khalil | | http://www.iraqiphotos.com/Iraqi_caricaturists/ | |
|
| Enlil | | Saieb Khalil | Enlil
Saieb Khalil
10 feb 2005
Het is ochtend en ik moet mijn vrouw op het centraal station afzetten. Wij hebben geen oppas voor onze bijna 1 jarige Enlil, dus moeten we zijn slaap verstoren en hem meenemen.
Het is een frisse najaarsdag en dat is genoeg voor mijn vrouw om hem, ondanks tegensputteren van mij, zo dik aan te kleden dat hij er uitziet als een strandbal.
Het weer nodigt om thuis te blijven en maar wat om te hangen. Ondanks dat het spitsuur al lang voorbij is, stikken de straten van Rotterdam van de auto's, trams en voetgangers. Een poosje later zwaaien Enlil en ik mama gedag totdat ze in de drukte van het station verdwijnt.
Onderweg naar huis, stop ik voor een rood licht en haal diep adem. Ik merk op dat Enlil niet meer zingt. Hij zingt voor zichzelf als hij slaperig is. Inderdaad is hij ook nu slaap gevallen, en zijn hoofd is naar achteren gegleden.
Als ik naar zijn ontspannen gezicht en handen kijk, voel ik hoe moe en nerveus ik zelf ben en hoe gespannen de spieren van mijn gezicht aanvoelen!
De toeter van een auto schudt me wakker. Ik merk dat het stoplicht op groen is gesprongen. Ik probeer snel op te trekken maar mijn auto slaat af. Nogmaals herhaal ik alle die bewegingen van mijn handen en voeten, en ik ben opnieuw onderweg.
Ik kijk in de spiegel om mijn schuldgevoel kwijt te raken over de auto achter mij. Of hij het groene licht nog heeft kunnen halen en niet door mijn domheid gehinderd werd. Ik haal nogmaals diep adem en rijd door.
Een moment later merk ik dat mijn hoofd geleidelijk bevrijd raakt van mijn verlegenheid en er komt een vreemde mix van boosheid, moeheid en protest tegen de wereld in me op. Wat op zijn beurt in een verzet overgaat dat me totaal overmeesterd.
Ik stop mijn auto midden in de straat en schakel de motor uit!
Voor een moment sta ik bewegingloos en dan kijk ik naar Enlil om een moment van vrede in te kunnen ademen. De bestuurder achter mij begint opnieuw te toeteren. Hoogstwaarschijnlijk scheldt hij me uit.
Ik glimlach, stap de auto uit en loop naar hem toe. Hij lijkt ruim zestig. Naast hem zit een vrouw, waarschijnlijk zijn eigen vrouw. Ik klop op de ruit en hij doet het raam een klein beetje open, kijkt vragend en boos naar me, met zijn mond half open.
Ik wijs naar mijn auto, en nodig hem uit om iets te komen bekijken. Hij is een beetje verbaasd, en zegt iets tegen zijn vrouw, dan kijkt naar mij en zegt dat hij geen auto technicus is. Zijn te veel bewegende handen verklikken dat hij meteen begrepen heeft dat mijn Nederlands nog veel te wensen overlaat.
Ik klop weer op zijn ruit en bemoedig hem en zijn vrouw met handgebaren om uit te stappen en mij naar mijn auto volgen. Ze kijken naar elkaar, en mompelen iets, dan opent de man zijn deur en stapt uit. Zijn vrouw kijkt boos de andere kant op.
Wij lopen naar mijn auto, en ik stop bij de achterdeur en wijs naar binnen. Hij kijkt nieuwsgierig maar ziet niets bijzonders! Wat is er?
Ik wijs opnieuw naar slapende Enlil. De man vraagt of mijn kind ziek is, ik zeg stellig Nee! Ik doe mijn ogen dicht, doe mijn handen op elkaar en zit ze onder mijn hoofd: Kijk hoe hij slaapt!
De man kijkt verbaasd naar Enlil en dan naar mij en dan weer naar Enlil. Met moeite dringt een glimlach zijn weg naar zijn lippen door de rimpels van zijn gezicht. Het lijkt alsof hij vergeten heeft hoe hij moet glimlachen.
Zijn lippen begonnen te bewegen met een stil wiegeliedje.
Het aantal toeterende auto's achter ons stijgt ondertussen flink. Sommige bestuurders stappen uit om te kijken of er een probleem is.
De vrouw heeft in tussentijd uitgestapt en loopt boos naar haar man. Hij plaatst zijn vinger op zijn mond en zonder naar haar te kijken verwijst hij naar binnen in de auto.
De vrouw kijkt Enlil aan en kijkt dan naar haar man met een vragende blik. Hij bemoedigd haar naar Enlil te kijken. Ze geeft toe en begint Enlil oplettend gade te slaan met een expressieloos gezicht. Opeens steekt ze haar hand naar voren, poetst het raam alsof ze het hoofd van een kind aait en fluistert: "Jezus!"
Ik voelde me blij en getroost! Mijn boodschap is bij hen aangekomen! Er is een bondgenootschap gesloten tussen mij en de kleine wereld van de straat. Mijn blijheid wakkert mijn roekeloosheid aan en ik ren naar de andere auto's wiens bestuurders hun geduld in de tussentijd verloren hebben. Toch nodig ik ze een voor een uit om naar ons groepje te komen kijken. Uit nieuwsgierigheid accepteert een aantal van hen mijn uitnodiging.
De groep bij mijn auto wordt groter en groter. Sommige wandelaars die de boel van een afstand bekeken, komen dichterbij. Zelfs van de stoep aan de overkant. Er heerst een sfeer van vriendschap, en er zijn overal mensen vrolijk met elkaar aan het praten, glimlachen en overeenstemming. Sommigen wijzen steeds weer naar Enlil en anderen zijn druk bezig met serieuze kennismakingsgesprekken. Het lawaai van de groep begint te concurreren met dat van het verkeer. De motregen is niet meer een vervelend toeval, maar een mooi onderdeel van de delicaat surrealistische toneeltje.
Opnieuw kijk ik naar Enlil. Hij slaapt nog steeds, als een engel met zijn naar achteren gegleden hoofdje. Zijn kleine mond staat een beetje open en wijst naar boven, lijkt op een snavel. Zijn roze wangen contrasteren met het dik zwart bos haar en zijn wenkbrauwen lijken iets langer te zijn.
Plotseling dringt een naderend stel politiemannen zich op:
"Is er een probleem meneer?"
"Nee, nee meneer. Niet meer. Ik ga meteen vandoor."
Ik zit weer achter het stuurwiel. Een van de agenten merkt Enlil op en kijkt met liefde en eerbied naar hem. Ik zwaai naar de mensen en rij langzaam door.
De regendruppeltjes laat ik opzettelijk op mijn voorruit staan. Ze laten de lichten van de straat door in gekke en steeds veranderende vormen.
In plaats van de strenge straten van Rotterdam komt er een schilderij van Van Gogh tot leven. Felle, rode achterlichten van de auto’s dansen heen en weer, de gele lichten van de straatverlichting en allerlei kleuren van voorbij glijdende winkels springen naar voren.
Het is net of Enlil en ik in een ruimteschipauto vliegen. Een auto die dit schilderij binnendringt en geleidelijk aan zelf in een olieverfvlekje veranderd. | |
|
| Wereld Kinderfestival zoekt tourmanagers | Wereld Kinderfestival zoekt tourmanagers
(mid mei t/m eind juni)
Het Wereld Kinderfestival is een uniek evenement dat ieder jaar tussen eind mei en eind juni plaatsvindt. Voor het festival van dit jaar komen twee jeugdgroepen uit Marokko naar Nederland. Zij treden op in Nederland en België tijdens publieksdagen en voor schoolvoorstellingen (in theaters).
Deze groepen bestaan uit kinderen en jong volwassenen en 1 of 2 begeleiders uit eigen land.
De groepen zijn ongeveer 15 tot 18 personen groot, verblijven in de jeugdherbergen in Dordrecht en Elst en worden vervoerd per touringcar.
Voor beide groepen zijn wij op zoek naar een tourmanager.
De tourmanager blijft de gehele tour, dag en nacht, bij de groep. Hij is het intermediair tussen het productie team van het Wereld Kinderfestival en de internationale jeugdgroep. Samen met het team bespreekt de tourmanager de draaiboeken. Met de chauffeur en de volwassen begeleider van de groep overlegt de tourmanager hoe laat vertrokken wordt, wanneer wordt gegeten etc. Ook houdt de tourmanager nauw contact met de jeugdherberg over bijvoorbeeld gebruik van repetitieruimte, avondeten etc.
De tourmanager krijgt ook een productie budget waarmee uitjes kunnen worden georganiseerd.
Wij zoeken:
• Twee mannen in de leeftijd 25 t/m 30 jaar
• Mensen die goed Frans spreken (of Arabisch)
• Mensen die aaneengeschakeld ongeveer 6 weken dag en nacht beschikbaar zijn (21 mei t/m 26 juni)
• Mensen met feeling voor of ervaring in de festivalwereld
Voor informatie:
Marja van der Woude
(t) 030 2361291
(gsm) 06–19860909
(m) MarjavanderWoude@planetjr.nl | |
|
| Réseau euro-méditerranéen des droits de l'Homme | Réseau euro-méditerranéen des droits de l'Homme
Dans ce numéro…
• Initiatives du REMDH
• Poste à pourvoir
• Initiatives de l’UE
• Intiatives de la société civile
• Nouvelles des membres du REMDH par pays
• Egypte
• Irak
• Israël
• Palestine
• Syrie
• Tunisie
PUBLICATIONS
Nouveau rapport de surveillance par Al-Haq: Election Présidentielle Palestinienne 2005, 7.2.2005
OMCT-Lettre d’Information Hebdomadaire sur l’Europe 2005 No.5, 31.01.05 – 06.02.05
CALENDRIER
16 février 2005, Egypte: séminaire sur les réparations, le passage de la compréhension à la disquisition, organise par l’Institut du Caire pour l’Etude des Droits de l’Homme (en arabe)
- 18-19.2.2005, Paris,
18 -19 février 2005 Réunion du Group de Suivi de la Plateforme d’ONG Euromed
Bulletin d’informations hebdomadaire du REMDH
Numéro 5/2005 31.1.2005 - 6.2.2005
ÃáÃÎÈÇÑ ÈÇááÛÉ ÇáÚÑÈíÉ ãáÍÞÉ ÈåÐÇ ÇáÈÑíÏ ÃáÇáíßÊÑæäí
INITIATIVES DU REMDH
Lettre d’information du REMDH sur les activités du Réseau Euro Méditerranéen des Droits de l’Homme et du Partenariat Euro Méditerranéen: Numéro 4 /2004 Lire la suite
Lettre conjointe du REMDH, ICRT et autres organisations sur des projets régionaux du nouveau cycle de programmation de l’IEDDH 2005-2006 au Directeur, Direction B – Relations Multilatérales et Droits de l’Homme, 10.2.2005 Lire la suite
POSTE A POURVOIR
La Fondation Euro Méditerranéenne de soutien aux défenseurs des Droits de l’Homme invite les candidats à postuler pour un nouveau poste de Directeur Exécutif. Lire la suitee
Le REMDH cherche des traducteurs indépendants et des correcteurs Lire la suite
INITIATIVES DE L’UE
Communiqué des presse de la Politique Européenne de Voisinage (ENP): Appel à des propositions – Initiative Européenne pour la Démocratie et les Droits de l’Homme (IEDDH)) - Micro projets au Liban, 2005 Lire la suite
Communiqué de presse de CARIM: Lancement du site internet méditerranéen sur les migrations internationales, 3.2.2005 Lire la suite
INITIATIVES DE LA SOCIETE CIVILE
Jugement du Tribunal du Peuple sur l’Algérie du 8 novembre 2004 lire la suite
NOUVELLES DES MEMBRES DU REMDH PAR PAYS
Egypte
Communiqué de presse de l’Institut du Caire pour l’Etude des Droits de l’Homme: Intellectuels et politiques reconnaissent la responsabilité des dignitaires Egyptiens dans l’abandon du peuple, 9.2.2005 Lire la suite
Communiqué de presse d’Amnesty International : Signaux contradictoires – arrestation d’opposants politiques au moment de discussions sur la réforme politique, 4.2. 2005 Lire la suite
Irak
Communiqué de presse de l’Organisation pour les Droits de l’Homme au Danemark : nous nous joignons à la responsabilité du peuple de Ninawa – Irak Lire la suite
Israël
Communiqué de presse de la FIDH: retirez l’application de la loi sur l’absentéisme à Jérusalem Est, 7.2.2005 Lire la suite
Communiqué de presse d’ Amnesty International: traduire l’espoir en une réalité durable, 8.2.2005 Lire la suite
Communiqués de presse de PCATI:
- l’avocate Lea Tsemel, un des fondateurs du PCATI, recevra le Prix Hans Litten, 5.2.2005 Lire la suite
- Des auditions auront lieu à la Haute Cour de Justice mercredi 16 février 2005 sur une pétition soumise par PCATI sur la politique d’assassinats de l’Etat d’Israël, 10.2.2005
Communiqués de presse de B’tselem:
- Les mesures unilatérales prises par Israël accroissent la polarisation à Jérusalem Est, 6.2.2005 Lire la suite
Mazuz: Annulez les plans de destruction massive d’habitations à Rafah, 7.2.2005 Lire la suite
Palestine
Communiqué de presse de Al-haq: Pas de justice pour les palestiniens victimes de la violence des colons dans la Vieille Ville d’Hébron, 9.2.2005 Lire la suite
Communiqué de presse de PCHR:
- Rapport Hebdomadaire, 10.2.2005 Lire la suite
- PCHR publie le rapport d’évaluation sur les élections présidentielles palestiniennes, 7.2.2005 Lire la suite
- PCHR condamne l’attaque par des gens armés à la prison centrale de Gaza qui a fait trios morts parmi les prisonniers et enjoint l’ANP d’assumer sa responsabilité de garantir le respect des droits de l’homme,10.2.2005 Lire la suite
Syrie
Communiqué de presse des Comités pour la Défense des Libertés Démocratiques et des Droits de l’Homme en Syrie: Suggestions pour le nouveau projet de l’organisation, 6.2.2005 (en arabe) Lire la suite
Tunisie
Communiqué de presse du CNLT: Abdallah Zouari en grève de la faim pour ses droits fondamentaux 7.2.2005 (Fr) Lire la suite
Follow up Links
• Contact
• Calendrier
• ÃÎÈÇÑ
• Site Internet du REMDH
À propos de notre organisation
Le Réseau euro-méditerranéen des droits de l’homme (REMDH) est un réseau regroupant des organisations des droits de l’homme établies dans plus de 20 pays de la région euro-méditerranénne. > Lire la suite
email: info@euromedrights.net
téléphone: +45 32 69 88 88
web: http://www.euromedrights.net
Le REMDH ne fait aucun commentaire sur le contenu des nouvelles et initiatives publiées dans le bulletin d’information du REMDH.
Pour ne plus recevoir le bulletin d’information, répondez à cet email en inscrivant dans la ligne consacrée au sujet : « unsubscribe ».
Euro-Mediterraneen Human Rights Network | EMHRN | Strandgade 56 | DK-1401 | Copenhagen K | Denmark | |
|
| Iraqi workers seek TUC help to rebuild unions | Attention: Foreign editors, industrial correspondents
Iraqi workers seek TUC help to rebuild unions
Iraqi trade unionists will call for British trade unions to support the rebuilding of the Iraqi trade union movement at a TUC conference in London today (Monday). The eight Iraqis will be asking for financial support, training for union representatives and leaders, and advice on recruitment, tackling unemployment and privatisation.
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:
'Trade unions offer ordinary Iraqi and Kurdish workers a voice they are being denied by the continued military occupation and climate of fear perpetuated by ‘insurgents’. Unions represent the true spirit of a tolerant Iraq. And strong unions will be the measure of freedom.
'Iraqi and Kurdish workers need the rights and protections the unions have won for the UK workforce. Unions in Britain will work with Iraqi and Kurdish unions to help them rebuild themselves and help rebuild democracy, freedom and the Iraq economy.'
The eight Iraqis come from three union confederations in Baghdad: the Basra oil workers’ union, the teachers’ association and journalists’ union of Iraq, and the Kurdistan Workers’ Syndicate. Forty years ago, the Iraqi trade union movement had a million members and was the strongest trade union movement in the Middle East until it was smashed by Saddam Hussein.
The conference will be also be addressed by Harry Barnes MP who set up Labour Friends of Iraq and did his national service in Basra. The event will be chaired by TUC General Councillor and NASUWT Hon Treasurer Sue Rogers, who grew up in Kirkuk.
UNISON Deputy General Secretary Keith Sonnet will also speak alongside representatives of the International Confederation of Free Trade Unions and the UN workplace organisation, the ILO. The conference will be attended by all the major British trade unions, and by the global unions covering oil workers and transport workers.
Unions at the conference will be urged to raise money for the TUC Aid for Iraq Appeal, and provide practical assistance in the form of training, material support and security. Initiatives could include paying for an IFTU (Iraqi Federation of Trade Unions) theatre bus to tour Iraqi workplaces and explain the case for joining trade unions; refurbishing damaged union buildings; providing mobile phones, faxes and laptop computers; and printing materials on subjects as diverse as labour law and improving the position of women in the unions. The TUC will also be proposing that British unions twin with their sister organisations in Iraq and Iraqi Kurdistan.
The Iraqi trade unionists, all of whom are available for interview (in translation from Arabic or Kurdish in most cases) on Monday and for the next few days, are:
• Ghasib Hassan, President of the Railway and Aviation Union (IFTU)
• Zuhar lal Jazairy, Journalists’ Union and Editor of Al Mahda newspaper
• Ali Shari Ali, Teachers’ Union
• Hassan Jumaa al Jawad, President of the Basra Oil Workers Union
• Hangaw Abdulla Khan, Head of the Kurdistan Workers’ Syndicate and Sdeeq Ramadhan Hassan, Executive Bureau member
• Falah Alwan, Federation of Works Councils and Trade Unions in Iraq
• Jabar Faris, General Federation of Iraqi Trade Unions
Contacts:
Media enquiries: Ben Hurley 020 7467 1248 or Mobile: 07881 622416 or email bhurley@tuc.org.uk | |
|
| Terrorisme bestrijding: Dijkdoorbraken in de strafrechtspleging | | From Mr Saeb KHalil | Aflevering 6 van 11 februari 2005
http://www.njb.nl/NJB/opinie.html
Dijkdoorbraken in de strafrechtspleging
Het valt moeilijk vol te houden dat de strafrechtspleging onaangedaan en
onberoerd de schokken die de laatste jaren Nederland hebben getroffen,
heeft doorstaan. Tien jaar geleden was er de crisis in de opsporing die
door het rapport van de parlementaire enquêtecommissie Van Traa is
blootgelegd. Die crisis leidde niet tot een inkrimping van, maar tot
invoering van nieuwe opsporingsbevoegdheden en tot codificatie van al in
de rechtspraak erkende opsporingsmethoden. Naast opsporing ontstond
vroegsporing, dat wil zeggen op strafrechtelijke sanctionering gericht
optreden in een fase waarin er nog geen verdenking is van een concreet
gepleegd delict. Daarmee werd de arm van de strafrechtspleging flink
uitgebreid. Die arm was trouwens toch al verlengd door de herontdekking
van het misdrijf van artikel 140 Sr: de deelneming aan een organisatie
die tot oogmerk heeft het plegen van misdrijven. Dat oogmerk behoeft
zich nog niet te hebben verwezenlijkt. Reeds zonder dat de club een
misdrijf heeft gepleegd, is deelneming eraan strafbaar. Bovendien was op
1 april 1994 al de strafbaarstelling van de voorbereiding van bepaalde
misdrijven ingevoerd. Dat betekende dat voortaan bij die delicten in een
vroeger stadium dan dat van de poging kon worden ingegrepen. Deze
uitbreidingen vergrootten het bereik van de strafrechtspleging en
daarmee van die van dwangmiddelen waaraan niet alleen verdachten, maar
ook derden kunnen worden onderworpen.
Nadat het in vroeger jaren nooit was gelukt een algemene
identificatieplicht van burgers in de wet opgenomen te krijgen, is dit
intussen wel zo, ook al spreekt de desbetreffende wet over de
'uitgebreide' identificatieplicht. Terreur en terreurdreigingen hebben
hier zeker een duw gegeven. Deze maatregel symboliseert de macht van de
overheid: men kan niet meer zonder risico van bestraffing anoniem op
straat lopen; een ieder is verplicht aan de politie desgevraagd kenbaar
te maken wie hij is. Het gaat niet meer om een beperkt aantal situaties.
Een verdenking van enig feit behoeft er niet te zijn. Het laat zich
raden wie bij voorrang zullen worden onderworpen aan deze nieuwe
maatregel. Waarom deze nieuwe maatregel een belangrijk bijdrage zal
leveren aan de criminaliteitsbestrijding valt in de wetsgeschiedenis
niet te lezen. De kracht van de argumentatie is hier vooral te zoeken in
het herhalen van steeds weer hetzelfde, empirisch niet ondersteunde
motief.
Terreur en terreurdreiging zorgen voor verdere uitbreiding van
bevoegdheden. Nieuwe strafbaarstellingen zijn ingevoerd. Samenspanning
tot bepaalde misdrijven is in meer gevallen dan voorheen strafbaar
geworden. Dat wil zeggen dat er strafbaarheid kan zijn zelfs voordat het
tot voorbereiding is gekomen. Voorbereiding vereist een zekere, zij het
geringe mate van veruiterlijking van het voornemen een misdrijf te
plegen. Samenspanning is het overeenkomen een misdrijf te gaan plegen.
Maar belangrijker is misschien dat er een voorstel in de maak is om de
eerste fase van de voorlopige hechtenis reeds bij een enkele verdenking
van een terroristisch misdrijf mogelijk te maken en de duur ervan in die
gevallen tot twee jaar en drie maanden te verlengen. Mag nu voorlopige
hechtenis pas worden toegepast als er ernstige bezwaren zijn, straks is
bij terroristische misdrijven een enkele verdenking al voldoende.
Bovendien heeft dit tot gevolg dat processtukken al die tijd geheim
mogen worden gehouden voor de verdediging. De eis van verdenking wordt
op zijn beurt afgezwakt tot die van 'aanwijzingen' bij de hantering van
een aantal ingrijpende bevoegdheden in geval van terroristische
misdrijven. Bij zeer ingrijpende bevoegdheden moet de
rechter-commissaris de toetsing uitvoeren. Voeg daarbij dat straks het
bewijs van terroristische misdrijven via moeilijk toetsbare
AIVD-informatie mag worden geleverd. Een nieuwe categorie van
afgeschermde getuigen wordt daartoe ingevoerd. AIVD-informatie kan op
die manier zonder dat de zittingsrechter daadwerkelijk en diepgaand de
betrouwbaarheid ervan kan toetsen, bij het bewijs van strafbare feiten
een rol gaan spelen.
Rechters geraken in een moeilijke positie. Zij worden enerzijds
geconfronteerd met indicaties dat een ernstig misdrijf heeft
plaatsgevonden, maar anderzijds behoeven zij slechts aan een zwak
criterium te toetsen alvorens de voorlopige hechtenis te bevelen en te
machtigen tot toepassing van ingrijpende onderzoeksbevoegdheden en mogen
zij van de wetgever met kwalitatief minder bewijsmateriaal genoegen
nemen. Je ziet al aankomen dat spraakmakende politici straks hun toorn
zullen laten neerdalen op rechters die de weliswaar niet meer door de
Nederlandse wet maar wel door het EVRM gestelde hoge eisen voor de
voorlopige hechtenis serieus nemen en die een vermoede terrorist
vrijlaten of hem vrijspreken ook al is er voldoende belastend, maar niet
overtuigend AIVD-materiaal. De rechter moet maar eens mores worden
geleerd, zo zal men zeggen. Gelukkig houden rechters zich nog altijd aan
het adagium: liever honderd schuldigen vrijgesproken dan één onschuldige
veroordeeld. En dat moet zo blijven.
Dus niet alleen wordt door dit pakket het risico groter dat onschuldige
burgers voorwerp van dwangmiddelen worden, maar ook wordt de verhouding
tussen het parlement en de rechter meer op scherp gesteld. Dit laat
onverlet dat de regering moet worden geprezen voor haar inzet voor de
bestrijding van terrorisme. Terecht wordt daarbij de nadruk gelegd op
verbetering van informatieposities en dus ook vergroting van de
capaciteit van de AIVD. Ook de laatste brief daarover getuigt daarvan.1
Dat en het streven naar daadwerkelijke integratie moeten de speerpunten
van een effectief anti-terreurbeleid vormen.
Ten slotte moet nog worden gewezen op twee ervaringsregels. De overheid
en dus ook de politie heeft de algemene neiging de grenzen van
bevoegdheden op te rekken. Nu zijn die bevoegdheden de laatste tien
jaren enorm uitgebreid. De grenzen ervan worden, zo kan een nauwkeurig
beschouwer vaststellen, wel degelijk weer verkend, zoals men dat
eufemistisch kan formuleren. Dat is niets nieuws. Is het dan niet
verstandig met dit gegeven rekening te houden en dit noodgedwongen te
accepteren in plaats van het opnieuw verleggen van de grenzen in de
zekere wetenschap dat ook die grenzen opnieuw zullen worden verkend.
Dan de tweede ervaringsregel. Die luidt dat voor speciale situaties
ingevoerde bevoegdheden na verloop van tijd worden gegeneraliseerd. De
drempel van de ernstige delicten waarvoor ze worden ingevoerd, wordt na
verloop van tijd verlaagd of geslecht, de dringende reden voor
toepassing wordt na enkele jaren afgezwakt. En zo wordt er
gegeneraliseerd. Zeker in een tijd waarin veiligheid hoog op de
politieke agenda staat, worden volgende stappen gauw gezet. Er zit een
gaatje in de dijk, de stroom komt op gang, het gat wordt steeds groter.
Wat wordt er meegesleurd?
G.J.M. Corstens
NOTEN
1. [Terug]
Brief van de Ministers van Justitie en Binnenlandse Zaken van 24 januari
2005 aan de Tweede Kamer.
Donner mag kritiek rechter niet van tafel vegen
14 februari 2005
GroenLinks wil dat Minister Donner veel beter in gaat op het artikel van
de heer Corstens. Het is zeer uitzonderlijk dat een lid van de Hoge Raad
zich geroepen voelt een aantal kritische vragen te stellen over zo'n
gevoelig onderwerp als terreurbestrijding. Minister Donner mag dat niet
met een badinerende opmerking afdoen, vandaar dat GroenLinks de volgende
kamervragen heeft gesteld.
Schriftelijke vragen van het lid Vos (GroenLinks) aan de minister van
Justitie inzake een publicatie over de terrorismewetgeving
1. Kent u het artikel van Mr. G.J.M. Corstens[1]?
2. Deelt u Corstens mening dat de kracht van de argumentatie van veel
nieuwe maatregelen tegen criminaliteit vooral te zoeken zijn in het
herhalen van steeds weer hetzelfde, empirisch niet ondersteunde motief?
Zo nee, waarom niet en kunt u wél voorzien in empirische gegevens die de
nieuwe maatregelen zoals de uitgebreide identificatieplicht en het
komende wetsvoorstel terrorismebestrijding onderbouwen?
3. Bent u het met Corstens eens dat rechters onder de (komende)
terrorismewetgeving in een moeilijke positie geraken doordat zij straks
moeten oordelen aan de hand van zwakke criteria in de Nederlandse
strafwetten én aan de hand van zware EVRM-eisen, waardoor de kans
bestaat dat vermoede terroristen moeten worden vrijgelaten of
vrijgesproken? Zo nee, waarom niet?
4. Kunt u aangeven hoe groot nu precies het risico wordt dat onder de
komende wetgeving onschuldige burgers onderworpen worden aan de
toepassing van dwangmiddelen?
5. Bent u bereid om de Kamer een overweging te bieden over de twee
ervaringsregels van Corstens (het telkens weer verkennen van grenzen aan
de bestaande wetgeving en het generaliseren van voor specifieke
omstandigheden ontworpen bevoegdheden) en de concrete merites die deze
ervaringsregels voor dit moment met zich mee brengen?
Den Haag, 14 februari 2005
[1] G.J.M. Corstens, Dijkdoorbraken in de strafrechtspleging, Nederlands
Juristenblad, 11 februari 2005 | |
|
| CIA prisoners 'tortured' in Arab jails | | By Stephen Grey | CIA prisoners 'tortured' in Arab jails
By Stephen Grey
A former CIA official has confirmed suspicions that dozens of terror
suspects have been flown to jails in Middle Eastern countries where
torture is routinely practised, and without reference to courts of law.
Michael Scheuer, who once headed the hunt for Osama Bin Laden and left
the CIA last November after a 22-year career, said the practice, known
as "extraordinary rendition", was seen by the US as a key tactic in its
war on terror.
"The bottom line is getting anyone off the streets who is involved in
acts of terrorism is a worthwhile activity," he told the BBC's File On 4
programme.
Mr Scheuer said the operation was authorised at the highest levels of
the CIA and the White House and was approved by their lawyers.
"The practice of capturing people and taking them to second or third
countries arose because the Executive assigned the job of dismantling
terrorist cells to the CIA.
"When the agency came back and said 'Where do you want to take them?'
the message was 'That's your job'."
He added: "The idea that this is a rogue operation that someone has
dreamt up is just absurd. I personally have no problem with doing any
operation as long as it's justified legal by my superiors."
UN convention violated
The former CIA officer acknowledged that some of the suspects sent to
places such as Egypt could then be tortured.
But he said: "It wouldn't be us torturing them and I think there is a
lot of Hollywood involved with our portrayal of torture in Egypt and
Saudi Arabia.
"Human rights is a very flexible concept... It depends how hypocritical
you want to be on a particular day."
Human rights campaigners, however, find it difficult to reconcile
rendition with President Bush's claims of upholding the United Nations
convention against torture. It says: "No state shall expel, return or
exradite a person to another state where there are substantial grounds
for believing that he would be in danger of being subjected to torture."
Mr Scheuer was among other ex-CIA officers who told File On 4 that as
well as sending people to Guantanamo Bay, both the CIA and the US
military were sending dozens of others to prisons in countries such as
Jordan, Syria and Egypt.
Copyright: BBC
http://207.44.245.159/article7977.htm | |
|
| Vrijdag vond in Den Haag een debat plaats onder de titel 'Het onbehagen | Vrijdag vond in Den Haag een debat plaats onder de titel 'Het onbehagen
van het oosten', onderdeel van het literatuurfestival Winternachten.
Deelnemer was Tariq Ramadan, een Egyptisch-Zwitserse filosoof die een
'Europese islam' propageert en populair is onder veel Europese
moslimjongeren.
Ton van de Langkruis, artistiek directeur van het festival, werd op 20
december gebeld door de Franse ambassade en doorverbonden met Gilbert
van de Louw, wetenschappelijk attaché. ,,Hij noemde niet zijn functie'',
vertelt Langkruis. ,,Hij vroeg: weet u wel wie u met Ramadan in huis
haalt, weet u wel hoe explosief hij is? Hij noemde onze bijeenkomst te
vrijblijvend.''
Volgens Van de Langkruis zei de attaché niet uitdrukkelijk dat het
programma moest worden afgeblazen, maar was dit de teneur. ,,De toon was
zeer dwingend.''
Journalist Michaël Zeeman, die de discussie leidde, kreeg een
telefoontje van ambassadeur Anne Gazeau-Secret. ,,Ze wilde mij
overtuigen dat Ramadan gevaarlijk is, een wolf in schaapskleren en zei
niet te begrijpen dat ik dat debat ging voorzitten. Ik antwoordde: al
zou Ramadan gevaarlijk zijn, wat ik niet denk, hij mag spreken. Dit is
Nederland.''
Een deelnemer aan het debat, de Franse islamkenner Olivier Roy, werd
gebeld door journalist Richard Labévière uit Zwitserland. ,,Hij noemde
de ambassadeur niet, maar ik heb gelezen dat die twee oude vrienden
zijn. Hij zei dat het door mijn deelname aan het debat leek of ik
Ramadan steun en dat dat wel eens slecht zou kunnen zijn voor mijn
naam.'' Volgens Roy doelde de beller op zijn adviseurschap bij het
Franse ministerie van buitenlandse zaken.
Gazeau-Secret zelf belde nog Paul Scheffer, die aan het debat meedeed.
,,Ze wees erop dat Ramadan in Frankrijk zeer omstreden is. Ze was al
kwaad dat Ramadan eerder door het ministerie voor integratie in
Nederland is uitgenodigd. Ook dit debat in Den Haag zat haar hoog. Ze
heeft mij niet afgeraden om mee te doen, maar ik vond dit toch ver
gaan.''
Festivaldirecteur Van de Langkruis en debater Scheffer kregen van de
ambassade een artikel opgestuurd uit het Franse tijdschrift l'Express
van 18 oktober. Daarin betoogt een onderzoeksjournaliste na het
beluisteren van Ramadans preken dat hij een fundamentalist is die mensen
met een liberaal discours een rad voor ogen draait. Zo zou een vrouw
volgens Ramadan nooit met een man alleen in één ruimte mogen zijn en mag
een moslim geen wet accepteren die tegen zijn geloof ingaat. Dit artikel
stuurde de ambassade in oktober ook naar deze krant nadat hierin een
interview met Ramadan was verschenen. Minder belastende stukken over
Ramadan verspreidt de ambassade niet.
Ambassadeur Gazeau-Secret, die bijna uit Nederland vertrekt, laat via
een woordvoerster weten dat haar acties 'niet officieel' waren. Met haar
telefoontjes naar Scheffer en Zeeman 'wilde zij met de beste bedoelingen
enkele vrienden waarschuwen', aldus de woordvoerster. Scheffer zegt de
ambassadeur 'te kennen'. Dat geldt ook voor Zeeman die zich 'vereerd'
voelt, maar die volgens zijn wereldbeeld 'geen vriendschap heeft met de
ambassadeur'.
De telefoontjes naar de festivalorganisatie en naar spreker Roy kan de
ambassadeur niet verklaren. Zij benadrukt slechts dat Ramadan in
Frankrijk en de Verenigde Staten niet welkom is. En de ambassadeur
erkent achteraf dat zij op Ramadan doelde toen zij zaterdag in de
Trouw-bijlage Letter en Geest schreef: ,,Nemen wij wel genoeg
voorzorgsmaatregelen voordat wij aan sommige mediagenieke predikers die
zich als filosofen voordoen het woord geven in goedbedoelde debatten?''
In het stuk verweet zij de Nederlandse regering gebrek aan realisme
tegenover de dreiging van radicaal-islamitische groepen | |
|
| Another victim of inheriting censure in the Arab World | | Network for Human Rights Information | Another victim of inheriting censure in the Arab World
Assault on Abdel Kereem al-Khewany inside the prison
The Yemeni Authorities are fully responsible
(Cairo- November 13, 2004)
The Arabic Network for Human Rights Information condemned today the wicked assault on the journalist Abdel Kereem al-Khewany, Al-Soura's chief - in-editor, which was committed inside the central prison in Sana'a and reportedly was an implementation of the Yemeni authority's orders.
This assault on al-Khewany is an episode in a series of assaults he was subjected to inside his detention, because of his essays that censure the undemocratic practices by the Yemeni authority, particularly, the attempt bequeath authority.
"A state that respects democracy and the citizens' rights would not imprison a journalist and close a newspaper because of a censuring essays. These practices characterize the totalitarian regimes only" Gamal Eid HRinfo's executive director.
Al-Khewany, known for his defense for the democratic values and standing in the face of the corruption, was sentenced to one-year prison, and the closure of Al-Shoura newspaper for 6 months in a court deficient of the Fair Trial Standards. Al-Kewany was trialed for his standing against the issue of bequeathing the authority, a matter that most of the Arab leaders, including Yemen's, are attempting to do, against the will of their peoples. It was reported that al-Kewany has been attacked several times inside the central prison in Sana'a at the hands of prisoners who are secretly appointed and rewarded by the Yemeni authorities.
"The best support we can provide to Khewany and all the other journalists who face corruption and suppression with their pens, is to go on exposing the corruption and the hard attempts to bequeathing authority. as many Arab rulers attempt to leave the authority for their sons in order not to be held accountable for the crimes they had committed" Eid added. | |
|
| The Power of Nightmares Part I | War ... should only be declared by the authority of the people, whose toils and
treasures are to support its burdens, instead of the government which is to reap
its fruits. : James Madison (1751–1836)
=
War: first, one hopes to win; then one expects the enemy to lose; then, one is
satisfied that he too is suffering; in the end, one is surprised that everyone
has lost. : Karl Kraus (1874–1936)
=
Throughout history, it has been the inaction of those who could have acted; the
indifference of those who should have known better; the silence of the voice of
justice when it mattered most; that has made it possible for evil to triumph:
Haile Selassie
=
The victor will never be asked if he told the truth: Adolf Hitler
===
To help support ICH using PayPal click here. http://tinyurl.com/v1l8
Or if you prefer to send a check or money order, Tom, PO Box 365 Imperial Beach,
CA 91933. USA.
The Power of Nightmares Part I
This is a must watch BBC documentary
In the past our politicians offered us dreams of a better world. Now they
promise to protect us from nightmares. The most frightening of these is the
threat of an international terror network. But just as the dreams were not true,
neither are these nightmares.
Watch It Now!
http://207.44.245.159/video1037.htm
===
The Power of Nightmares: Part II - The Phantom Victory
This is a must watch BBC documentary
The Power of Nightmares continues its assessment of whether the threat from a
hidden and organised terrorist network is an illusion. Part two, the Phantom
Victory looks at how two groups, radical Islamists and neo-conservatives with
seemingly opposing ideologies came together to defeat a common enemy.
Watch It Now!
http://207.44.245.159/video1038.htm
===
At the Crossroads of America:
Manuel Valenzuelas
Fortune has chosen our generation, tens of millions of voting Americans, as the
torchbearers guiding the entire human race through the black abyss of the last
four years, into introspections of alternate universes and parallel worlds, of
dreaded pasts and more frightful futures, placing within us the great burden of
deciding the next step in human history, of a return to past dark ages or a
forward march towards renaissance and rebirth.
http://207.44.245.159/article7173.htm
===
Fahrenheit 9/11the Movie
Watch It Online
http://207.44.245.159/video1035.htm
===
Revealed: War has cost 100,000 Iraqi lives:
More than half of those who died were women and children killed in U.S. air
strikes
http://207.44.245.159/article7184.htm
===
By Our Hand And In Your Name: 100,000 Dead Iraqi's:
As a citizen in a democratic country we must take some responsibility for the
actions of our elected governments.
http://207.44.245.159/article7185.htm
===
Pentagon suppresses details of civilian casualties, says expert:
The Pentagon is collecting figures on local casualties in Iraq, contrary to its
public claims, but the results are classified, according to one of the authors
of an independent study which reported last week that the war has killed at
least 100,000 Iraqis.
http://207.44.245.159/article7192.htm
===
Pentagon granted authority to pay, equip foreign forces:
The Pentagon has secured new authority that allows U.S. special operations
forces to dole out millions of dollars in cash, equipment and weapons to
international warlords and foreign fighters.
http://207.44.245.159/article7191.htm
===
US tried to stop Al-Jazeera broadcast:
"They seem to have aired only excerpts," said the official, a fluent Arabic
speaker who watched the complete broadcast on Al-Jazeera.
http://207.44.245.159/article7189.htm
===
Part of 9/11 Report Remains Unreleased; An Inquiry Is Begun:
One last chapter of the investigation by the Sept. 11 commission, a supplement
completed more than two months ago, has not yet been made public by the Justice
Department, and officials say it is unlikely to be released before the
presidential election
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/30/politics/30panel.html?ex=1256875200&en=0e28c6c45fc47dea&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
http://snipurl.com/a719
===
War makes democracy a dirty word:
As thousands of Iraqis flee to neighbouring countries, as Al-Jazeera television
and the internet bring images of the killing, looting and social dislocation
into homes around the Middle East, the mood against America and what it stands
for is hardening.
http://207.44.245.159/article7190.htm
===
Eight Iraqis killed, at least 13 people wounded as clashes erupt in Ramadi
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/afp_world/view/114551/1/.html
===
Major assault heralded as US artillery pounds Falluja :
Fierce fighting killed eight American soldiers and wounded at least seven more
yesterday as reports indicated that the long-awaited US assault on the
insurgent-held city of Falluja had begun.
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/international/story/0,6903,1340271,00.html
http://snipurl.com/a71b
===
Two Iraqi Servicemen Killed Near Baghdad:
Two servicemen from the Iraqi National Guards were shot near Baghdad after an
attack on their car from unknown source
http://www.focus-fen.net/index.php?catid=138&newsid=50879&ch=0&datte=2004-10-31
http://snipurl.com/a71c
===
US forces take major losses across Iraq
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/E4D5B5A1-3461-445C-8DFA-C3E0E1235CC2.htm
===
Letter from Iraq: A matter of survival:
We appreciate your support, but we can't see those yellow ribbons from here.
http://www.concordmonitor.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041028/REPOSITORY/410280355&SearchID=73188412774667
http://snipurl.com/a71d
===
In Iraq, U.S. Officials Cite Obstacles to Victory:
Senior American military commanders and civilian officials in Iraq are speaking
more candidly about the hurdles that could jeopardize their plans to defeat an
adaptive and tenacious insurgency and hold elections in January.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/31/international/middleeast/31command.html?ex=1256875200&en=d0a6c4fcc2ce7311&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
http://snipurl.com/a71e
===
Japan Confirms Japanese Hostage in Iraq Beheaded
http://www.voanews.com/english/2004-10-31-voa5.cfm
===
...but the world backs Kerry:
Many governments have abandoned diplomatic caution and shown their desire for a
Kerry presidency. Venezuela’s President Chávez said that he deems relations with
the Bush Administration to be impossible. Mexico has proclaimed its preference
for a Democrat next door.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,11069-1336584,00.html
===
The $ costs of war :
Bill to taxpayers will soon exceed $260 billion
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/Opinion/Editorials/03OpOPN55102804.htm
===
G.O.P. to the Poor: Don't Vote:
With little notice or discussion, Senator Christopher Bond of Missouri allowed a
provision into a Senate appropriations bill that could ban even nonpartisan
voter registration efforts in public housing developments all over the country.
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/30/opinion/30sat3.html?ex=1256875200&en=c915e34f60977315&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland
http://snipurl.com/a71h
===
This web site represents the effort of one person.
I need your help to offset the costs associated with site hosting and bandwidth
usage. If you find this site informative please help by clicking here
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/support.htm
===
Helen Thomas: Bush Win Would Mean Dark Times:
World Would Perceive Support For Preemptive War
http://www.thebostonchannel.com/helenthomas/3874392/detail.html
===
How a Vote for Bush Will Support the Re-Arming of Japan :
We have a choice regarding annihilation.
http://207.44.245.159/article7186.htm
===
Cherie Blair lambasts Bush over human rights :
She attacked the manner in which the White House has dealt with the human rights
of UK citizens detained at the US-run Camp X-Ray prison at Guantanamo Bay in
Cuba.
http://scotlandonsunday.scotsman.com/politics.cfm?id=1259162004
===
Abu Ghraib torture implicates officers :
Staff Sgt. Ivan Frederick -- now Pvt. Frederick -- is going to prison for eight
years for his role in torturing Iraqi inmates at the Abu Ghraib prison
http://kennebecjournal.mainetoday.com/view/columns/1103623.shtml
===
Video shows UN hostages in Afghanistan :
A video apparently showing the three foreign UN election employees kidnapped in
Afghanistan was broadcasted by the Arab television channel Al Jazeera on Sunday.
http://www.aljazeera.com/cgi-bin/news_service/middle_east_full_story.asp?service_id=5448
http://snipurl.com/a71l
===
Unseating the tickle feather dictator:
As pawns in global game of power, money and terror, we jump when the panic
button is pressed and wave our flags when the bad guy's name is read. We are the
comic book masses who are fed fairy tale lines of good and evil.
http://207.44.245.159/article7187.htm
===
Revealed: Blair's secret mission to woo Kerry:
Mr Blair is concerned that he will appear isolated if George Bush loses in
Tuesday's poll, because of his support for the Iraq war.
http://207.44.245.159/article7193.htm
===
Holy Zarqawi: Why Bush Let Iraq's Top Terrorist Walk
http://slate.msn.com/id/2108880/
===
Reporter saw insurgents loot Qaqaa arms depot :
A French journalist who visited the Qaqaa munitions depot south of Baghdad in
November last year said she witnessed Islamic insurgents looting vast supplies
of explosives more than six months after the demise of Saddam Hussein's regime.
http://www.iht.com/bin/print_ipub.php?file=/articles/2004/10/29/news/explode.html
http://snipurl.com/a71n
===
Group Says It Warned U.S. on Iraq Arms :
Human Rights Watch said Saturday it alerted the U.S. military to a cache of
hundreds of warheads containing high explosives in Iraq in May 2003, but that
officials seemed uninterested and still hadn't secured the site 10 days later.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=540&ncid=736&e=1&u=/ap/20041031/ap_on_re_mi_ea/iraq_weapons
http://snipurl.com/a71o
===
IDF kills 12-year-old boy in Jenin :
The troops opened fire killing Ibrahim Mohammed Ikmeil, 12, medics at a hospital
in Jenin said.
http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/495184.html
===
I killed thirty children:
True, some people tell me that I am making a mistake in making this confession.
http://207.44.245.159/article7188.htm
===
Palestinian children in Israeli crosshairs:
The Palestinian Authority has accused Israel of making the killing of
Palestinian school children by the occupation army a daily occurrence while
calling on the world to put an end to the practice.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/4F5ED1ED-C44D-454C-A51D-07A66AD124F4.htm
http://snipurl.com/a71p
===
The second battle of Algiers :
Fifty years on, Israelis and Palestinians must learn from the Algerian war
http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,3604,1339763,00.html
===
Halliburton Contract Faced Objections :
The Army extended a Halliburton Co. troop support contract over the objections
of a top contracting officer, even contending - and then withdrawing - a claim
that U.S. forces faced an emergency if the company didn't get the extra work.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4585598,00.html
===
Pre-election Pork for Merchants of Death:
The following defense contracts were announced Friday.
http://finance.myway.com/jsp/nw/nwdt_rt.jsp?section=news&feed=dji&src=704&news_id=dji-00112720041029&date=20041029
http://snipurl.com/a71s
===
Poll Worker Shortage May Hamper Voting :
A shortage of at least 500,000 poll workers nationwide means many voters could
face long lines, cranky volunteers, polling places that don't open or close on
schedule and the chance that results won't be known until long after the polls
are closed.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4587009,00.html
===
One Nation Under Bush: At a campaign rally, Republicans recite the "Bush
Pledge.":
"I want you to stand, raise your right hands," and recite "the Bush Pledge,"
said Florida state Sen. Ken Pruitt.
http://slate.msn.com/id/2108852/
===
Vote early, Vote often:
Double Voting Possible in Ohio, Florida :
Thousands of people who are registered voters in Ohio and Florida possibly could
vote twice in the presidential election through use of absentee ballots, The
Plain Dealer reported Sunday.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,1280,-4586334,00.html
http://snipurl.com/a71t
===
News for 10/30/04:
===
Iraqi forces fire on civilians, leaving dozens killed or injured:
Witnesses said Saturday that Iraqi forces opened fire on six vehicles, including
three minibuses, after a U.S. convoy came under attack in a central Iraqi town
south of Baghdad, killing or injuring more than a dozen people.
http://207.44.245.159/article7182.htm
===
8 U.S. marines killed in Iraq:
Eight U.S. marines have been killed west of Baghdad in a region that has become
a flashpoint of anger over the U.S. occupation of Iraq.
http://www.cbc.ca/story/world/national/2004/10/30/iraq041030.html
===
Car Bomb Kills 7, Injures 19 in Baghdad:
A car bomb exploded outside the offices of the Al-Arabiya television station in
central Baghdad on Saturday, killing seven people and wounding 19, police said.
http://www.kentucky.com/mld/kentucky/news/state/10056602.htm
===
Bin Ladin muscles into US election race:
Bin Ladin, taunting the man who has vowed to take him "dead or alive" for the
past three years, said Bush had failed Americans with his Middle East policies,
deceiving the nation and provoking Muslim groups like al-Qaida to strike again.
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/973F1229-454F-4384-BF08-1D86A911DDF7.htm
http://snipurl.com/a71w
===
Bin Laden: U.S. Can Avoid Another Attack :
Osama bin Laden, publicly injecting himself into the campaign four days ahead of
presidential elections, said in a videotape aired Friday that the United States
can avoid another Sept. 11 attack if it stops threatening the security of
Muslims.
http://207.44.245.159/article7183.htm
===
Transcript of bin Ladin's speech:
Following is the English transcript of Usama bin Ladin's speech in a videotape
aired by Aljazeera on Friday 29 October.
http://207.44.245.159/article7181.htm
===
In case you missed it:
Full text: bin Laden's 'letter to America' : Sunday November 24, 2002
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article6537.htm
===
Bin Laden tape could help Bush:
I don't think the American people will take kindly to Osama bin Laden stepping
into our election," said St. Louis University political scientist Joel
Goldstein.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/041029/325/f5m2w.html
===
In case you missed it:
Bush 'Told' Of Planned Strike Before 9/11
http://207.44.245.159/article7180.htm
===
Impeach George Bush:
Of course, I realize there's no chance Congress would impeach the president at
this point or under almost any circumstance. It somehow reserves its outrage for
lying about sex under oath and not, as now seems clear, the making of war under
false pretenses.
http://www.thedailycamera.com/bdc/opinion_columnists/article/0,1713,BDC_2490_3288668,00.html
http://snipurl.com/a71y
===
For Shame, America:
Revelations contained in last months final report on Iraqi weapons of mass
destruction should make every American shudder in shame.
http://207.44.245.159/article7179.htm
===
Army extends Iraq tours for thousands of soldiers :
The Pentagon's public affairs office has posted an article on its Web site that
says about 6,500 soldiers will remain in Iraq at least two months longer than
planned.
http://www.wmtw.com/Global/story.asp?S=2501179
===
The looting of Iraq's arsenal:
The same month Al Qaqaa was being stripped of high explosives, I warned my
military intelligence unit of another weapons facility that was being cleaned
out. But nothing was done.
http://fairuse.1accesshost.com/news2/salon41.htm
===
Expanding Halliburton probe confirms Bush administration is most corrupt in US
history
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2004/oct2004/hall-o30.shtml
===
Exxon's profit up 56 percent:
Record prices for crude oil and natural gas lifted third-quarter profit 56
percent at Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company.
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/business/10042432.htm
===
Liberty can not be preserved without general knowledge among people." (August
1765) John Adams | |
|
| Mijd Nederlandse sites voor reizen Van onze redactie economie ' | Mijd Nederlandse sites voor reizen'
Van onze redactie economie
AMSTERDAM - Reizigers moeten voor goedkope tickets niet bij de
Nederlandse boekingssites zijn. Belgische en Duitse sites bieden meer
kans op een vliegticket voor de laagste prijzen.
Dit blijkt uit een onderzoek van de Consumentenbond. De buitenlandse
webpagina's scoren ook beter op goedkope tickets voor reizen vanuit
Nederland.
De Consumentenbond heeft onderzocht welke van negentien boekingssites de
goedkoopste retourtickets aanboden naar 39 bestemmingen. De onderzochte
websites komen uit Nederland, België, Duitsland, Denemarken, Engeland en
de Verenigde Staten.
Voor Nederland werden www.d-reizen.nl, www.ebookers.nl,
www.vliegtarieven.nl, www.vliegwinkel.nl en www.expedia.nl getest.
''Slechts in vier procent van de gevallen bieden de Nederlandse websites
de goedkoopste tickets aan,'' meldt de Consumentenbond in het onderzoek.
De Belgische internetsites scoren het best. Zij boden bij 29 procent van
de boekingen de laagste prijs. Duitsland volgt op een tweede plaats met
23 procent. Zo bestond de topvijf van goedkoopste websites uit
achtereenvolgens: www.travelprice.be, www.opodo.de, www.airstop.be,
www.expedia.de en www.bblt.be.
Bij de Nederlandse websites blijkt het vrijwel onmogelijk om twee dagen
voor vertrek te boeken. Dat lukte de Consumentenbond alleen bij Ebookers
en D-reizen. Voor ene klein aantal vluchten weliswaar.
Negen van de veertien buitenlandse websites hadden daarentegen twee
dagen voor vertrek nog tickets beschikbaar voor 33 van de 36 vluchten.
© Het Parool, 22-10-2004 | |
|
| Iraqi Christians need protection, too | | By Jim Lobe | Iraqi Christians need protection, too
By Jim Lobe
WASHINGTON - While the successful penetration by suicide bombers, who killed 10 people, including four United States nationals, of the carefully guarded "Green Zone" in downtown Baghdad grabbed headlines here this week, another measure of the deteriorating security situation in Iraq came from a more surprising source.
In an article published Thursday in the online edition of the right-wing National Review, an influential neo-conservative activist appealed to the Bush administration to create a "safe haven" within Iraq specifically for Iraq's estimated 800,000 Christians, or "Chaldo-Assyrians", 40,000 of who are believed to have left the country since the US invasion in the face of growing persecution.
The creation of such a zone, which is contemplated under the interim constitution approved by the US-led Coalition Provisional Authority earlier this year, could curb the growing exodus and might even persuade some who left to return, according to the author, Nina Shea, the director of Freedom House's Center for Religious Freedom.
"The community needs US help to create such a district, which should encompass the traditional community villages located near Mosul, in the Nineveh Plains," according to Shea. "They believe that thousands of their members who have fled to other countries in the Middle East over the decades but are not permanently resettled could be persuaded to return to such a secure place."
She also called on the State Department to begin providing reconstruction aid directly to the Christian community in the region, and not just to Arab and Kurdish groups living in the region.
Calling the Chaldo-Assyrians the "canaries in the coal mine for the Great Middle East", Shea, who enjoys good relations with the Bush White House, noted that "the extent to which they are tolerated in the new Iraq is being watched closely by Maronites of Lebanon, the Copts of Egypt, and other non-Muslim populations in the region." Like the Chaldo-Assyrians, the Maronites and Copts are Christian.
Her appeal echoed those of a number of Iraqi-American Christian groups, which met here earlier this month in a concerted effort to draw attention to life in their co-religionists' communities, which has deteriorated sharply since the US invasion in March 2003.
"Widespread and systematic abuse of human rights and targeted killings of Christians continue every day in Iraq, mainly in the Kurdish-controlled areas in the North, Mosul and Baghdad," asserted a letter to the US Congress sent by the 70-year-old Assyrian American National Federation late in September. "As a result of such atrocities, some 40,000 Assyrians have already fled Iraq since July of this year," it added.
"Iraq, once the center of the earliest Christian churches in the world, may soon be cleared of its Assyrian population, the only indigenous people of that country - ancient Mesopotamia," warned the letter, which also called for Congress to earmark 5% of total reconstruction aid for Iraq "for the safety of the Christian population and the rebuilding of their villages".
Communities of Christians have inhabited modern-day Mesopotamia virtually since the dawn of Christianity 2,000 years ago. Most are Chaldeans, or Eastern-rite Catholics, whose native tongue is Aramaic, the language of Jesus.
Most of the other Christians are Assyrian, who belong to different denominations, including the Ancient Church of the East, the Syrian Orthodox Church, the Chaldean Church and Protestant churches. The remainder consist primarily of Syrian, Armenian, Greek Catholics; Armenian and Greek Orthodox; and, Mandaeans, who are followers of John the Baptist.
Historically, the Chaldeans and Assyrians have been concentrated in the Mosul area, although many left seeking economic opportunities in other regions. During successive periods of "Arabization" in the post-colonial era, and particularly under Ba'athist rule, some Christian communities, like other non-Arab groups, particularly Kurds, were displaced in order to make way for Arabs, especially from the southern part of the country.
According to the last national census in 1987, Iraq had some 1.4 million Christians, but most sources estimate that 800,000 at most remain in the country of some 23 million today. Most of the emigration took place after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in 1990, when UN sanctions brought intense economic hardship on middle-class families, in particular, a disproportionate number of which are Christian.
As the sanctions continued to weaken the middle class during the 1990s, tens of thousands of Christians emigrated to nearby Arab countries, notably Syria and Lebanon, Europe and North America.
Under former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein, Christians, particularly Assyrians, who were sometimes referred to as Christian Kurds, suffered from forced relocations in the north, and, like Kurds and Shi'ites, were banned from organizing political parties.
At the same time, they were welcomed into the Ba'ath Party (which was co-founded by a Christian) and were permitted to rise, as did then prime minister Tariq Aziz, to senior posts. The regime did not interfere with their religious practice, and, in some cases, even provided subsidies to churches.
With the rise of Islamist sentiment, even before the US-led invasion, Christians grew increasingly concerned about their fate in Iraq. Popular pressure induced the regime to adopt Islamic slogans, build mosques and even introduce a ban on alcohol, which hit the almost exclusively Christian liquor-store and restaurant owners particularly hard.
On the eve of the war, Pope John Paul II, along with a number of Iraqi Christian clerics, made private and personal appeals to the Bush administration not to go to war, in major part because of their fears that the aftermath could expose the community to much greater risks and persecution.
"The concern is that Christians will disappear," Bishop Pierre Whalon, an episcopal official working with the Chaldean church, told the London-based Financial Times on the eve of the war. "The present regime gives them some tolerance; who knows what the next one will do."
Those fears, which were broadcast before the war by US Christian denominations but pooh-poohed by the neo-conservatives and other hawks before the war, now appear to have been well grounded.
Christian liquor-store and restaurant owners and their families have been attacked - sometimes fatally - in predominantly Muslim towns and cities, while last August five churches in Baghdad and Mosul were blown up in a co-coordinated series of bombings. At the same time, wealthier Christian families have been targeted for kidnapping by criminal gangs.
Christians have also come under attack by Kurdish militias in the north, including Mosul itself, where Kurds have clashed frequently with Arabs and other minorities as they have tried to extend their control to "Arabized" areas, which they consider to have been traditionally Kurdish.
"They worry that this may be the beginning of either a jihad by Muslim extremists or an ethnic-cleansing campaign by Kurds, with whom they live in close proximity, or both," wrote Shea, who said the administration "cannot afford to be indifferent to the persecution facing the Chaldo-Assyrian religious minority".
The result has been an exodus of an estimated 40,000 Christians so far, most of who have emigrated to neighboring Syria. At the same time, many others from Baghdad and the south have reportedly tried to move back to their traditional homeland near Mosul, particularly around Dahouk, Zakho and Irbil.
It is this area that, according to Shea and the Christian Iraqi-Americans, should be carved out and given special protection as contemplated by section 53(d) of the CPA-approved Basic Law, on which the interim Iraqi government, however, has not yet taken a position.
(Inter Press Service) | |
|
| Communiqué Issued by the Meeting of the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party | Communiqué Issued by the Meeting of the Central Committee
of the Iraqi Communist Party
On 26 August 2004, the Central Committee of the Iraqi Communist Party held a regular meeting. After opening with a minute silence in memory of those comrades and friends of the party who have passed away since the last meeting at end of April, the agenda of the meeting was agreed. It included a discussion of the developments in the past four months, and a working paper on guidelines for the party in the coming general elections that was endorsed. A second working paper, on the party’s economic policy, was endorsed as a draft document to be enhanced and developed through further discussion by comrades and friends as well as economists.
After reviewing the performance the party and its leadership, organisations and specialized committees, the meeting took a number of organisational decisions and measures to improve the party work and enhance the efficiency of these bodies to match the tasks facing the party at present and in the future.
The meeting dealt with the developments of the country’s situation and the party’s relevant positions as well as the prospects of the current political process. The unanimous assessment of the meeting was that there have been important developments and achievements. Sovereignty was legally transferred to an Iraqi national authority on 28th April, signifying an important development for the future of Iraq, as occupation was officially ended and the interim Iraqi government assumed its tasks. This process had taken an international dimension following the UNSCR 1546.
Despite our reservations about the mechanism of the formation of the interim government, our Party joined it intending to bear our share in implementing its basic tasks and work for building a normal life in peace, order and security in the country. This is essential for advancing towards full sovereignty and independence, as well as preparing for the general elections and terminating the presence of foreign troops in the country.
The meeting stressed the vital importance of the general line of the cabinet’s statement. There is need to provide the requirements and conditions for its implementation in order to tackle the urgent issues relevant to peoples’ life: peace, order, unemployment, job creation, re-appointing those fired on political grounds, pensioner’ issues, restoring public services and other issues.
The meeting considered the UNSCR1546 adopted on 12 June 2004 a further support for the steps already taken towards ending occupation and regaining full sovereignty, as well as the current political process in the country. Noteworthy in the resolution is the stress on the right of the Iraqi people to freely determine their political future and to exercise full power as well as full control of their financial and natural resources. While not openly endorsing the Law for Administering the Iraqi State during the Transitional Period, the resolution endorsed the timetable for completing the political process. It gave a bigger and a principal role to the UN until the date envisaged for achieving the political process not later than 31st January 2005. This role is undoubtedly required now and in the future. However, experience has shown that there is need to review this role and how it is carried out, and taking into consideration Iraq’s conditions.
More recently, our people have witnessed the preparations for the Iraqi National Conference and the formation of the supreme preparatory commission, the branch committees of the governorates and the selection of delegates for the conference. The preparations did not run smoothly; they encountered several difficulties and obstacles, some of which are related to the lack of electoral and democratic experience as well as the lack in some circles of readiness to shift to democratic practices. There were violations, shortcomings and unwarranted practices in selecting delegates at the local levels.
After postponing the conference for two weeks at the request of the UN representative, it convened on August 15th and proceeded for four days. Taking into consideration the conditions prevailing at the time, the large number of the participants, their broad political, ethnic, religious, communal and gender structure participation, the conference was, for our society, a rare political event that adhered to a democratic spirit and free discussion. There was a desire to involve the largest number of forces and political shades in bearing responsibility and creating the atmosphere conducive for activating various state institutions and bodies. This would have helped to defeat terror, sabotage and organized crime as well as to insure holding the general elections on the day specified in the Law for Iraqi State Administration, electing the Transitional National Assembly and forming the Transitional Government. All this would accumulate the potentials and ability! to terminate the foreign military presence.
The National Conference finished its work successfully, and elected the Interim National Assembly. People look forward to see it playing its role and exercise the powers envisaged for it. It is neither an institution with full legislative powers nor a mere consultative body. Its activity and work depend to a large extent on the competence of its members, their zeal, vitality, coordination of efforts, and their ability to transform this Interim Assembly into an effective institution in the political life, playing its role in monitoring the work of the government, prepare for the general elections, become a motor for mass participation in political life and express their justified ambition. In order to accomplish this on time, the Parties’ Law and the Elections Law were enacted and the Supreme Independent National Commission to supervise the elections for the Interim National Assembly was formed to draw up a draft Iraqi constitution to be endorsed through a plebiscite. ! Then there will be general elections for the Iraqi National Assembly at the end of 2005.
The Central Committee meeting dealt at length with the security situation, with acts of violence, sabotage, terror, kidnapping and hostage taking. These acts vary in methods and forms, with the victims from many nationalities, the majority being Iraqis. However, their essence remains the same: they are desperate criminal acts that aim to inflict more harm on our people, destabilize the situation and obstruct the political process.
The meeting stressed anew the importance of defeating the forces of terror and crime as well as restoring peace and order. This is closely related with achieving the objectives of the transitional stage, ending the foreign military presence, tackling the legacy of the defeated regime, advancing on the path of reconstruction and building institutions of a democratic state.
Dealing with this burning issue requires not only preventive security measures, but also further measures and steps in other fields: the economy, the political field, the media and mass work.
There is still potential for moving ahead to a desired qualitative turning point in the security situation by building on the basic achievements in the political process accompanied by the measures taken by the interim government in building and rebuilding sovereign state institutions: the national guard, the army, the security forces and others.
Advancing in this field requires a consolidation of state bodies and institutions on new bases and enforcing their ranks with efficient patriotic elements, purging them from corrupt useless elements as well as providing them with the necessary means to carry out their patriotic duties in defence and consolidation of peace and order.
In turn, this is closely connected with the ability of the masses, of patriotic parties and the interim government to achieve cooperation and coordination in order to consolidate the political process and defeat those wanting to turn the country back.
Tackling the security situation also requires help and support from neighbouring countries in border control, blocking terrorists from infiltrating into Iraq, preventing them from turning the country into their refuge and battlefield for purposes having nothing in common with our people’s interest. It is hoped that the good promises made during the visits of the prime minister and other members of the government to neighbouring countries would turn into forms and mechanisms leading ultimately to providing help and support for our people to build a secure and peaceful life.
The government made relative progress in improving the security situation, building the army and security institutions, as well as conducting successful raids on cells of crime and banditry, thus curbing crimes. However, the situation in Najaf and other cities deteriorated. This created critical conditions, caused loss of life among innocent civilians and paralyzed public life. Although a number of political initiatives, including that of General National Iraqi Conference, were launched to defuse the crisis, the problem got more complicated. After difficult days of tension, harm and devastation, a peace initiative was launched by Grand Ayatollah, Sayid Ali Al-Sistani, to defuse the crisis in Najaf on the basis of ending all armed operations, evacuation of the holy shrine as well as the mosque of Kufa by armed people, ending all illegal display of arms, entrusting the police with law enforcement in the city, respecting the rule of law and state authority. This initiative was ! widely supported, in the hope that it would be implemented and adhered to in order to end bloodshed and ensure resumption of normal life in holy Najaf and other cities.
The CC meeting expressed concern about the increase in sabotage targeting state property, service facilities and economic firms, especially oil installations. This has inflicted great losses, thus depriving our people of urgently needed resources for reviving the economy and for reconstruction, which has proceeded at a pace too slow and weak to match the hopes of people and to achieve concrete results. This process has also been retarded by the slack progress in building state institutions and bodies, as well as their weak efficiency and widespread bribery and corruption. All this is to be added to the heavy legacy of the previous regime, the shortage of resources and economic sabotage. Hard work on several levels is needed from the Iraqi government, parties and organisations to arrive at and carry out proper solutions and measures. The media has an important role to play in spreading facts, enlighten the public opinion and build bridges of trust with the citizens.
The meeting called once more for activating the mechanism of consultation and coordination among patriotic forces to play their desired role, in coordination with the interim government, to activate mass participation in restoring peace and confronting criminal and terror elements, as well as supporting the political process.
At the conclusion of its political discussions, the Central Committee expressed confidence in the ability of our Iraqi people to march on, in spite of the difficulties and obstacles, towards building an Iraq based on institutions and rule of law, as well as carrying out the tasks of the transitional phase, completing the political process, ending the foreign military presence and building a democratic federal unified Iraq | |
|
| About the Preparation Methods in the Dohuk Governorate | | Assyrian Democratic Movement / Dohuk Bureau | Unofficial Translation
Clarification
About the Preparation Methods in the Dohuk Governorate (province) to the Iraqi National Conference
After the extinction of the past regime and the transfer of power to Iraqis, all eyes were directed towards the steps that will be taken towards building democracy in Iraq, which had been blocked for decades due to dictatorship. One of the most important steps in this regard is the preparation for the Iraqi National Conference, which is to take place at the end of this July 2004, from which an Interim Iraqi National Assembly will emerge until a free, direct, and general elections are help in January 2005.
To accomplish this noble goal, a proper start must be present. However, the process for the preparation for the Iraqi National Conference and the nomination of delegates to it, which took place in Doduk Governorate, does not reflect such healthy start. This process did not abide by democratic factors, foundations, and ways and means that were decided upon by the Upper Committee. The terms and stipulations of these ways and means guaranteed to distribute special percentages for political organizations, civil society institutions, religious, tribal, scholarly and cultural figures. However, what happened in Dohuk was completely distant from, contrary to, and did not reflect these foundations and standards.
The Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) struggled against dictatorship for more than 25 years. It has its distinguished place among our people and among the Iraqi patriotic movement through its actual participation in opposing the past regime. The ADM gave many eternal martyrs who were executed by the past regime and its members were imprisoned in the regime's prison cells and jails. The ADM participated in previous Iraqi opposition meetings, in the temporary governing council, Iraqi current cabinet, and in the Upper Committee assigned to oversee the preparations for the Iraqi National Conference. The ADM represents our people in the regional parliament in north of Iraq since its elections in 1992 and to this day. However, the ADM was expatriated from participating in the preparation process and was kept away from nominating delegates from Dohuk Governorate.
This whole unfair process was applied to many other civil society institutions such as the ChaldoAssyrian Student and Youth Union, ChaldoAssyrian Women Union. It was applied against many notables that have their distinguished role and place among our people. The expatriation and removal of our groups occurred in collaboration between the local authorities in Dohuk Governorate, ruled by the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), and the special committee in Dohuk assigned by the Upper Committee. This deliberate removal and marginalization of our groups and those effective and distinguished personalities from among our ChaldoAssyrian people is a persistent stand and actions that had continued for many years. This has taken place since 1991 while north of Iraq was under the auspice of international protection for 12 years while the region was considered to be experiencing a democratic experiment. However, ChaldoAssyrians were expatriated and kept away from occupying high and sensitive positions. Such positions included deputy governor or mayors in localities that they occupied historically and in regions that reflected a dense ChaldoAssyrian population. Furthermore, the ChaldoAsyrians deserve these considerations since they make the second ethnic group percentage wise in the Dohuk Governorate.
The ChaldoAssyrians did not enjoy these lawful rights. The trespassing against ChaldoAssyrian Christian lands and villages, stealing these lands from their lawful owners, who continue to exist on this land since time immemorial, and the practices of the narrow-minded organizations towards the common ChaldoAssyrian folks requires a pause, reconsideration, and correction of the mistakes. This, we say especially during these democratic transitions that are not affecting our country alone but rather they are profound changes that their consequences are reflected on the international arena.
We demand from the Upper Committee that oversees the preparations for the Iraqi National Conference to re-examine the delegate's nomination process in Dohuk Governorate and undo the mistakes because what happened discredits the legality of the conference itself.
Assyrian Democratic Movement
Dohuk Bureau
July 21, 2004 | |
|
| Loving and leaving | | By Sasson Somekh | Loving and leaving
This Arabic novel is different from other books in Arabic in that it does not try to depict the negative characteristics of Jews, but rather to show that they are no different from the rest of their countrymen.
By Sasson Somekh
"A Pair of Lovers from the Land of Two Rivers" is the title of a novel in Arabic that was sent to me recently by friends in Sweden. And indeed, it is about a pair of Jewish lovers, Jewish Arabs, to tell the truth. I heard that the original title the author wanted to give the book was "Rachelle and Gurji," two very typical names of Iraqi Jews, but the publisher insisted on the change in the title lest someone think it was a Jewish book.
The book appeared in Beirut at the end of 2003. The author, Jassem al Mutair, is an Iraqi writer in exile, a former Communist, who has been living in Holland for many years. In the past, I never had the opportunity to read anything he has written, but the list of his books that appears on the back page testifies that his writing is prolific and varied (eight novels and collections of short stories as well as books of non-fiction and essays and books about the Iraqi economy).
Indeed, this is the fate of Iraqi writers, and there are very many of them, ever since Saddam Hussein took over the regime: They went into exile and settled into their various places of exile. Today it would appear that London is the capital of contemporary Iraqi literature, but there are also writers from the land of two rivers in other cities in the West (Holland, Sweden, Greece, the United States). These are writers whose intellectual activity is vigorous even in exile, whereas other Iraqi writers and poets who have taken refuge in Arab countries have perhaps been able to earn a good living there, but they did not find the atmosphere of freedom and tolerance that is necessary for creativity.
Al Mutair is a sharp-sighted narrator, in full control of the art of the story and he writes in an Arabic that is rich yet at the same time simple. Iraq is well-endowed with excellent storytellers and poets whose literary skills are equal to al Mutair's. Many of them evince humanism with respect to the contents of their work and great familiarity with the forms of modern literature in all its genres. It is possible that I would not have chosen to tell my readers about al Mutair's novel in particular were it not for the Jewish subject matter that is its motif.
The pair of lovers who are the heroes of the book, Rachelle and Gurji, are young Jews from the port city of Basra in Iraq. The time of the plot spreads over about a decade, from 1941, the year of the farhoud (disturbances) of ill fame, through the years surrounding the establishment of the state of Israel. Both of them grew up in the homes of rather wealthy merchants, and they are madly in love with each other. However, following and as a result of the farhoud, a hellishly difficult separation is imposed on them. Rachelle goes with her parents and her younger brother to the oil city of Abadan in southwestern Iran, and after some wavering the family immigrates to Israel and finds a home in Jaffa. Rachelle remains in Iran and finds a job, through her adventurous aunt, as the personal secretary to an American called Donald, a very active intelligence agent. Despite the separation, the love between Rachelle and Gurji flourishes, and from time to time they hold hasty trysts in the border area between the two countries.
Their relationship exists mainly in the long letters that they exchange, and these letters carry forward the plot for the readers of the book. However, why doesn't Gurji join his beloved in Iran, or anywhere else in the wide world, and why doesn't he marry her? It turns out that what ties him to Basra is his loyalty to his native land - that is, the patriotism that flows in his veins. In this context the plot suffers from a weakness, in my opinion, and in the novel, from beginning to end, there is no trace of the motif of "love wins in the end," as it is only patriotism of this sort that characterizes Gurji that can engender such a long separation.
In the final chapter, Rachelle receives a letter from her brother Sasson, also an "emigration refuser" who remained in Basra, in which he informs her of Gurji's arrest, apparently for having joined the local Communist Party, and his transfer to Baghdad, for interrogation and trial by a military court, and his fate is unknown.
Rachelle sinks into an affair "on the side" with Donald, her boss, but she does not think of relinquishing her eternal love for Gurji (in truth, Gurji himself also messed around: He linked up with a Muslim woman, a semi-prostitute, who gave birth to his son on the eve of his arrest).
The outstanding innovation in the book is the fact that it deals with the fate of Jews, or of the Jews in general. All of its main characters (Rachelle and her Aunt Aziza and her brother Sasson and her parents, as well as Gurji and his father, who is a Communist patriot like his son and even more so) - are all thoroughly Jewish. Muslims and Christians do appear in the story, but as secondary characters.
I do not know of any other book in the Arabic literature of our day that resembles al Mutair's novel in this respect. There are stories and plays in which Jewish characters play a role, and even major roles, but these, in all the cases with which I am familiar, are quite hostile propaganda stories and they present the Jew in a negative light, sometimes as a monster.
One such is the Egyptian novel that tells the story of the Damascus blood libel of 1840, and in this book it turns out that the libel against the Jews of Damascus was not a libel at all but absolutely true, in the author's opinion. Another example is the novel "Don't Leave Me By Myself" (1979) by the well-known Egyptian author Ihsan Abed al Quddus. Its heroine is a Jewess from Cairo called Lucie, who out of ambition converted to Islam and even gets divorced from her Jewish husband in order to become the wife of one of the heads of the regime at the end of the 1930s.
The novel "A Pair of Lovers from the Land of Two Rivers" is different from all of these books in that it does not try to depict the negative characteristics of the Jews, but rather to do them justice and show that they are no different from the rest of their countrymen. Among them there are negative and traitorous characters, but also among their non-Jewish neighbors these characteristics exist, and in plenty. Rachelle and Gurji, and even their relatives who fell prey to the Zionist propaganda are not accused of disloyalty to their native land, but rather emphasis is placed in the destructive role of the farhoud and the wild anti-Jewish incitement that raged because of the Nazi propaganda.
It should be noted that the novel is replete beyond all reasonable measure with expressions, and sometimes acts, at the center of which is pure sex, and even expressions that are considered so very coarse that their appearance in a decent book is intolerable. The Arabic word neik (copulation, the "f" word in English) and its derivatives appear scores and perhaps hundreds of times in the book. This two is a phenomenon that has its source in the liberation (and perhaps over-liberation) from the puritanical regime in the author's country.
In some of the details about Jews and Israel, the author makes a number of mistakes. For example, at the beginning of the book the narrator says he has translated the letters of the lovers from Basra from Hebrew to Arabic, something that is not likely in light of the reality that prevailed among the Iraqi Jews of Rachelle and Gurji's generation. At that time only active Zionists knew modern Hebrew, to one extent or another, and our two heroes were as far from Zionism as east is from west. Another error, and definitely a surprising one, is the fact that the name "Israel" appears in the lovers' letters even before the establishment of the state and the determinate of its name as the state of Israel.
There are other mistakes in the book but there is no point in enumerating them one by one, as it is not the author's intention to falsify or distort the reality. The distance of 50 or 60 years that separates between the events that supposedly took place and the writing of the book is the cause of most of these errors and it is possible, in my opinion, to ignore them.
However, it seems odd to me that all the Jewish characters in the novel belong to the merchant class, and some of them have obtained ostentatious wealth. There is no trace in the book of the existence of working Jews, poor Jews and indigent Jews in the community of Basra, the author's city, and he himself was Communist and presumably well aware of the existence of working class people in this community, as in all the communities of Iraq. | |
|
| LOGO]ASSYRIAN CANADIAN (ACLC)LOBBYINGCOMMITTEEASSYRIA NATIONAL PETITION | | By IVAN KAKOVITCH | [LOGO]ASSYRIAN CANADIAN (ACLC)LOBBYINGCOMMITTEEASSYRIA NATIONAL PETITION
By IVAN KAKOVITCH
ADVISORMarch 25, 2004
Mr. Stockwell Day,Member of Parliament of the House of Commons of Canada,Foreign Affairs - Conservative CaucusOttawa, OntarioK1A 0A6CanadaPREAMBLE A God lives in a temple A King lives in a palace A Man lives in a house A Man without a house is not a Man A Man without a Country is an International Problem. With this Assyrian proverb, we are humbly proffering The National Petition for Assyria.PROLOGUE In War. In Peace. In Arbitration. In Pacification. In Justice. In Freedom. In the struggles for Humanity and Democratic Ideals, The Maple Leaf, the symbol of the Dominion of Canada, is not only hoisted along side with the other flags of the world, in their struggle f or international peace, liberty and justice, but, it has been apprised as being the standard-bearer for humanity, in the 20th and the beginnings of the 21st centuries. Hence, The Assyrian Canadian Lobbying Committee, in consort with the Assyrians world over, introduces its initial meritorious stages of aiding and abetting the sustenance of the identity--both cultural and national--in inaugurating an International Lobby for Freedom and Liberty for Assyria in Iraq, by submitting the following Assyria National Appeal to the House of Commons of Canada.SUMMARY OF HISTORY OF ASSYRIA Ever since the fall of the Assyrian Empire in 612 B.C., these proud people, held on to their national destiny despite the most ravaging onslaughts, and most inhuman treatment at the hands of the aggressors. The Medes, the Greeks, the Sassanid and, Umayyad Dynasties of Persia, the Arabs the Mongols, and the Ottomans, were not able to obfuscate the sense of nationalism of the Assyrians. It took the crafty Whitehall British Colonial Empire-building diplomats do hand Assyria and its citizens a mortal blow. This catastrophic event catapulted in 1926, when the British Colonial Empire, by-passing the Assyrian Autonomous Region of Mosul, ironically, desig nated and duly recognized by the Ottoman Empire, ever since its occupation in 1453, created a country by the name of Iraq. As though surrendering peaceful Christian minority to the majority of Moslems and the Shari'a was not enough, the British, also ceded over more than half of the land as well as its residents of the Province of Mosul [northern Iraq] to Turkey, thus, cutting Assyria in half, and reducing its meagre population by more than sixty percent. This loss of territory and its inhabitants was in complicity to the loss of almost 750,000 Assyrians to the Ottoman Empire on the eve of World War I, only to be prosecuted by its successor nation, Turkey, along with its co-religionists, the Azaris, the Arabs and the Kurds, combined, barely a decade earlier.DUPLICITY OF ACTIONS The signing of Iraqi Transitional Fundamental Law of March 8, went summarily uncontested, although, once again, Assyria was showed away at the expense of international politics and their merits, by the sponsors and the promulgators, namely the British and the America n dictates. The means were being perfected while ends were neglected. The irony is that the Coalition was formed to placate the dictatorship, and to supplant it with democracy, hence, the hand picked Interim Government Council of Iraq (IGC) ignited yet another ill-fated facet of dictatorship, by imposin g la puissance contre la faiblesse (potentate over the weak).LEGALITY vs. DEMOCRACY Article 7, and its Subparagraph (A) of the Iraqi Transitional Fundamental Law state the following: " Islam is the official religion of the State, and the source of all legislation." "(A) No law that contradicts Islam shall be tolerated." No Constitution--and precisely Democratic--has to adhere to a religion. Obviously, most constitutions are based on millennia-old religious rites and ideals, but it is all a constitution must bare. Once religious dogmas are inserted into any part of a constituti on, it, thus becomes authoritarian, hence, imperfect and undemocratic. We fervently believe that justice should be done between nations, whether they be great or small, precisely as it is implicated between men, whatever the difference of their positions in society. Since the same Constitution confers upon the Kurds a de jure national and geographically designated territorial 'Region', which they had controlled as a de facto, ever since the Gulf War, thus, confirming the Kurdish Regional Government over the four Provinces of nor thern Iraq, there is no justification to relegate Assyria and its Syro co-nationals to subjugation by the Kurds, themselves, being the minority in Iraq. This argument is raised in view of the fact that the Kurdistan Regional Government has been handed the Province of Ninewah [previously known as Mosul]--the ancient cradle of civilization, namely, the Assyrian Empire--at the expense of the latter. This is the Province , where more than 60% of the Assyrian and Syro co-nationals reside in northern part of Iraq.COMBATANTS vs. NON-COMBATANTS The 100,000 strong Kurdish army of Pesh Merga obviously wields a heavy clout, never mind that the message to go to war in Iraq was--or, at least, is--to eradicate the power and the powerful and supplant it with freedom and liberty. Under what pretences could both the U.S.. and Britain proclaim liberty and freedom in Iraq, when they surrendered almost 1.5 million Assyrians and Syro co-nationals into servitude of an alien religion, alien rule, and alien culture? Although combatants during World Wars I and II, the Assyrians laid down their arms, immediately after World War II at the insistence of the British--whose cause they were serving by battling as levies of the British Colonial Empire on the side of the Allied Forces ag ainst the Fascist elements in Iraq, instigated by the President of Iraq, Rashid Ali al-Geylani--and were banished to spend many months behind the barbed wires in Baquba and Habbaniya. The word combat makes some people cringe and shiver. But combat is not all violent. Peaceful combats have been more abundant and more successful than the violent ones. Champions of peace like Jesus Christ and Gandhi won more hearts and minds, more territories, more a dherents, and for the longer periods of times, than all the conquerors' conquests put together. The Assyrians shall eschew violence at all cost. Assyria is not a battalion, and it does not seek an ephemeral solution. Assyria is harbouring the idea of perpetual solution to its errand subsistence, based on integral part of acquiring a territory, so that it can re gulate its own laws and ordinances, and to advance its cultural endeavours, prevalent for its survival.REDRESS QUESTION OF ASSYRIA WHEREAS, The Iraqi Transitional Fundamental Law is a politically motivated dictate, and its fabrication and forceful implementation, ostracize the rights, and the survival of the second largest minority of Iraq, namely Assyria and its Syro co-nationals. WHEREAS, The Question of Assyria ought to be addressed to the United Nations, and despite its merely juridical and abstract characteristics, we deem it necessary for a nation, as Canada--a member of the United Nations--in war or peace, to offer a helpin g hand to introduce a bill on the floor of this august body, on behest of Assyria. WHEREAS, The United Nations shall envisage our problem as businessmen dealing with realities of growth and opportunity, and not merely as lawyers defining rights and remedies. WHEREAS, The Coalition, ought to cease functioning as a strategist, and present a face of a true democrat instead. A strategist thinks how to use the circumstances to usher men from one corner to another, the democrat thinks of the rights of men. WHEREAS, Article 7 of International Law issued during the Constitution of Korea in 1948 states: "The duly ratified and published treaties and the generally recognized Rules of International Law shall be valid as a binding constituents part of the Law of Korea. The status of aliens shall be guaranteed within the scope of International Law." (The Bees, Their Honey and the World., p. 67. By Ivan Kakovitch. Pub. 1970. Teheran University Press). WHEREAS, The Transitionary Constitution of Iraq, by positioning Assyria under the dominance of the Kurds, rather than the Iraq Central Government, effaces all traits of nationality and ethnicity, thus, eventually compelling Assyria and Syro co-nationals --indigenous to Iraq--to be treated as aliens in their own land. WHEREAS, Shari'a (The Islamic Law), as per ex post facto hadiths, associated with the edicts of The Prophet who had admonished that "The Happiness of His People Depended On Two Classes: (1) that of the Omrah (Rulers), and (2) the Foqaha (Prude ntes)." [Ibid. Page 82]. WHEREAS, A ruler with good intentions might stand undaunted before the wretchedness of a hardline ruler, and vice versa, the Shari'a Code of Laws might be interpreted any which way it suits the mood and the temperament of the era, of either one of the r ulers. Hence, the act of "equality in fact and equality in law", might very well become the term of the past, and/or might be jeopardized by obfuscation. WHEREAS, Assyria be allotted a geographically demarcated territory, proportionate to its population--taking into account the return of over 1 million Assyrians and Syro co-nationals that went into exile for the past five decades--in the Province of Nine wah. WHEREAS, Assyria be granted a mandate to maintain a predictable military force for its internal security, as well as a police force. This is in correlation with the rights granted the Kurdish Regional Government, as prescribed in Article 53(D). WHEREAS, Assyria and Syro co-nationals behold onto a Region, to be recorded in the Iraq annals, as Assyria Regional Government. WHEREAS, Assyria Regional Government, to function on a par level as all the other Regional Governments in Iraq. WHEREAS, Assyria, to determine its future along side its co-citizens and neighbours on an equal, fair and just scale, on social, economic and political platforms. WHEREAS, Assyria and Syro co-nationals, with a total population of under 1.5 million, in order to withstand its ground in the face of the Kurdish population of some 3.5 million in the adjacent area, be allowed to mobilize a predictable echelon of battal ions to act as its security apparatus. The ratio of Assyria and Syro co-nationals is 40-60 to that of the Kurds, whereas the Albanian was, and is, in a single digit to that of the Serbians. FINALLY, WHEREAS, Assyria not to be subjected to the chain of authoritative commands, issued by the Kurds, then passing to the Arabs, the Shi'as, the Sunnis, the British and, ultimately the Americans.04-03-25PRESS RELEASE[LOGO]ASSYRIAN CANADIAN (ACLC)LOBBYINGCOMMITTEEInternational Appeal: Assyria"A Man Without a Country Is An International Problem"SUMMARY OF HISTORY OF ASSYRIA The Medes, the Greeks, the Sassanid and, Omayyad Dynasties of Persia, the Arabs the Mongols, and the Ottomans, were not able to obfuscate the sense of nationalism of the Assyrians. It took the crafty Whitehall British Colonial Empire-building diplomats do hand Assyria and its citizens a mortal blow. This catastrophic event catapulted in 1926, when the British Colonial Empire, by-passing the Assyrian Autonomous Region of Mosul, ironically, desig nated and duly recognized by the Ottoman Empire, ever since its occupation in 1453, created a country by the name of Iraq. This loss of territorial rights reduced the whole nation of Assyria, into a group of landless aliens, right in their indigenous habitat. This act was in complicity to the loss of almost 750,000 Assyrians to the Ottoman Empire and its successive State, renamed T urkey, on the eve of World War I, along with its co-religionists, the Azaris, the Arabs and the Kurds, combined, barely a decade earlier.REDRESS QUESTION OF ASSYRIA WHEREAS: The hand-picked Iraqi Governing Council by the U.S. and British dictates, signing Iraqi Transitory Fundamental Law on March 8, 2004, abolishing the national and territorial rights for Assyria is illegitimate, illegal and undemocratic. WHEREAS: Granting the Kurds a Kurdish Regional Government, and allocating four Provinces--including the heart and soul of Assyria--the Province of Ninewah for a de facto and de jure Kurdistan, is a treacherous conspiracy which cannot go unheeded by the world judicial opinions in any court. WHEREAS: The Coalition of military operations was formed to placate the dictatorship, and to supplant it with democracy, instead, it fortified the already powerful Pesh Merga Army of the Kurds, and decreed that the 100,000 mobilized men in arms, would a ct as a security apparatus for the territories under their control. WHEREAS: Installing a regime over a nation alien in all aspects of life, thus rendering Assyria as a subject to Kurdistan with whom it has no religious, cultural, linguistic, and historic ties, is in itself dictatorial, since it imposes la puissance contre la faiblesse (potentate over the weak). Ironically though, the U.S. and British Armies marched into Iraq to placate the dictatorship in favour of democracy. WHEREAS: Justice should be done between nations, whether they be great or small, precisely as it is implicated between men, whatever the difference of their positions in society.. WHEREAS: The means were being perfected while ends were neglected, is what Articles 7 (A), and 53(D) specifically calling for Shari'a dominated society--Theocratic Rule--in Iraq, and advocating the supremacy of the Kurdish Regional Government with its own security and police forces, yet totally ignoring the plight of the second largest minority of Iraq, namely the Assyrians, respectively, is belligerent in nature, and partial in legal terms. WHEREAS: Subparagraph (A) of Article 7 stating: "that no law that contradicts Islam shall be tolerated", is in itself ludicrous and is a mockery of democracy, since no Constitution--and precisely Democratic--has to adhere to a religion. An y religion. WHEREAS: The Iraqi Transitional Fundamental Law is a politically motivated dictate, and its fabrication and forceful implementation, ostracize the rights, and the survival of a Christian minority of Iraq, namely Assyria. WHEREAS: The Question of Assyria ought to be addressed to the United Nations, and despite the latter's merely juridical and abstract characteristics, it is deemed necessary for a nation--member of the United Nations--in war or peace, to offer a helping hand to introduce a bill on the floor of this august body, on behest of Assyria. WHEREAS: The United Nations ought to envisage our problem as businessmen dealing with realities of growth and opportunity, and not merely as lawyers defining rights and remedies.. WHEREAS: The Coalition, ought to cease functioning as a strategist, and present a face of a true democrat instead. A strategist thinks how to use the circumstances to usher men from one corner to another, the democrat thinks of the rights of men. WHEREAS: Shari'a (The Islamic Law), as per ex post facto hadiths, associated with the edicts of The Prophet, who had admonished that "The Happpiness of His People Depended On Two Classes: (1) that of the (Omrah) [Rulers], and (2) the (Fo qaha) [Prudentes]." (The Bees, Their Honey and the World., p. 82. By Ivan Kakovitch. Pub.1970, Teheran University Press). WHEREAS: A ruler with good intentions might stand undaunted before the wretchedness of a hardliner, and vice versa, the Shari'a Code of Laws might be interpreted any which way it suits the mood and the temperament of the era, of either one of the rulers . Hence, the act of "equality in fact and equality in law", might very well become the term of the past, and/or might be jeopardized by obfuscation. WHEREAS: Assyria be allotted a geographically demarcated territory, proportionate to its population--taking into account the return of over 1 million Assyrians that went into exile for the past five decades--in the Province of Ninewah. WHEREAS: Assyria beholds onto a Region, to be recorded in the Iraq annals, as Assyria Regional Government. WHEREAS: Assyria Regional Government, to be established to function in consort of the other Regional Governments in the region. WHEREAS: Assyria, to determine its future along side its co-citizens and neighbours on an equal, fair and just scale, on social, economic, defensive and political platforms. WHEREAS: Assyria, with a population of 1.5 million, in order to withstand its ground in the face of the Kurdish population of some 3.5 million in the region, be allowed to mobilize a predictable echelon of battalions to act as its security apparatus. Th e ratio of Assyria is 40-60 to that of the Kurds. Some eight years ago, Canada, along with the whole civilized world went to war against Serbia, because the latter ostracized Albanians in fomenting Regional Autonomy. The ratio of the Albanians, was and is in a single digit to that of the Serbians. FINALLY, WHEREAS: Democracy is not just an element to reckon presciently with the realities of space and time, and not be content merely to lay down on paper good principles of conduct. There is a difference between vera causa and causa casans --academic learning and the realization which impels to action. | |
|
| 'REFERENDUM INTERNATIONAL ASSYRIA' | | Ivan Kakovitch | 'REFERENDUM INTERNATIONAL ASSYRIA'
(The following is in response to Mark Thomas, Esq. Reply to the writer's original posting, titled: 'An Open Letter to Mark Thomas, Esq.')
Mark:*
Not to protract this issue, that seems to have cemented itself on our shoulders, forever, I simply have to say that we are witnessing-no, elaborating-on a national divide of Assyria on a much grand scale.
Unity with the Chaldeans under the banner of 'Chaldeoassyria' is a contemptuous act by a group of conspirators perpetrated against Assyria.
I do not accept that we have no choice. We don't have to make a choice, in the first place, anyhow. The choice falls on the shoulders of the Chaldeans.
The Chaldeans of Iraq and abroad are either in with Assyria, or out of Assyria. Period.
One does not choose his origin. One is born with it. One cannot change his origin and go by ignoring the change, as though nothing has happened.
Assyria is like an abandoned lad. This lad, who lost all he had, including his parents contemplates that one day, perhaps, he shall overcome his vagabondage and make his place among other men. Surely, Assyria is in dire need of a parent, a foster parent, or a guardian. But not at the expense of taking t he guardian or foster parent's name.
If it were a matter of survival as a Chaldeoassyrian Christian-a rather undignified monastic denomination-then why not to become Kurdoassyrian, and retain rank and file among the 25 million Kurds. Surely, Assyrians will survive, but, not as a nation. Well, is Chaldeoassyrian any better?
And, that is the whole matter.
NATION
As a primal force to reckon with, Assyria is the avant-garde emblem of elements associated with it. All Syro-subjunctives emanate from Assyria. Be they in national, cultural, linguistic or legal aspects.
LEGALITY
You, as an attorney, do not deny the fact that placing the national name of Assyria under a subservient denominative secular monastic nomenclature such as 'Chaldeoassyria' bolsters the legal wrangling of our enemies to our legitimate rights in the new Iraq.
REPRESENTATION
Adhering to a representation of pure secularism as 'Christians' is self-destructive element of nationhood. And, the pretentious aspirations of our main political party, Zowaa, are fallacious in deed and ferocious in nature.
LANGUAGE
The advocates of idioms and linguistic classifications as being the language of the Assyrians are no less heinous than the submission to the forces of destruction. Assyria does have a language of its own. It is Assyrian, and nothing else.
PUBLICITY
The figures presented to you are those that had that pre-conceived notion to create such a division. There are no percentages available as to how many are Chaldeans and how many Assyrians living in Iraq today. But, besides, close to 300,000 Assyrians live in Baghdad alone. Who is to say that out of thes e 300,000 none will leave their habitat and move closer to the region that is geographically allocated to their ancestors? Did anyone communicate with these masses of Assyrians, not only in Baghdad, but, in other parts of Iraq, that are in the far reaches of the Province of Ninewah?
POLITICAL SCHEME
These accounts are never taken into consideration. Instigators draw a project first, then, invent a means to advance their cause or causes. That is how it works in the Middle East, and sometimes, even in the West. And, it doesn't take a political savvy to realize the fabrications of this nature.
COOPERATION
I fervently, and personally, was faithful that, as a last resort, you and the Federation would stand for Assyria and whatever it is. It seems, I am proven to be wrong. It seems to me that you are abandoning the last hopes of a Nation that has survived all these terrible onslaughts.
But, before I end my discourse, I shall clarify a few points.
Just like all the others, before them, the Chaldeans are taking advantage of our weaknesses and are instigating the removal of our name from the records..
This is a calculated step. And, with all respect to their identity, faith, religion and political beliefs, I do not take this removal of the name of Assyria from a nation as purely for a unification of goals. It is soundly and absolutely a conniving criteria, to terminate us, once and for all.
It is nothing but a scheme, to have us removed forever. However, this time, we are the acrimonious perpetrators, and this is what hurts most. It hurts us more, because we are betrayed. Treason always hurts more, because it inflicts an inner pain, rather than a physical one.
However, pain or no pain, inner or physical, Assyria, as we see it, shall continue to cooperate and work for its place in the world, and definitely under its own name.
I believe there shall be a most competitive power struggle to gain the minds and the thoughts of the Assyrians worldwide, but the results are inevitable..
A school of thought shall continue its Assyrian destructive path, and another shall continue its Assyrian constructive path.
Each one of us might contemplate to consider the other side as being erroneously guided. Each one shall pull the strings in different directions.
ABSOLUTION
A clear-cut resolution is feasible. Hence, the proposal:
A REFERENDUM ON INTERNATIONAL SCALE
· I recommend a weekend of the middle of May 2004.
· Voting to take place in available Associations, and/or Church auditoriums. In the absence of both, a commercial place to be leased for about 4 hours on Saturday and Sunday.
· All ballots to be deposited in boxes controlled by Certified Public Accountants.
· To simplify the selection, ballots will pinpoint 2 choices: (1) Assyria, (2) Chaldeoassyria.
· A 30-day notice to be propagated among all the Assyrians in the world (Iraq excluded)**.
· All arrangements to be made by April 15, 2004, all announcements to be issued thereafter.
The other smaller details have to be worked out between your offices, the AANF and its affiliates.
Individuals, such as the writer, shall contribute all they can muster within their power to make this project successful.
The readers of this Forum may entertain the idea of analyzing this proposal and to advocate it to their friends and neighbors, arbitrarily by the word of mouth or by press (printing and distributing this proposal), to soothe the denominator of such a vigorous national project.
A rather quick move is to be contemplated, since we have less than 50 days to make the necessary arrangements.
Mark, you know it is feasible. You recall we had elections staged in 11 cities in Sweden, in Denmark, in Canada and in 3 cities in the United States. And, we were only one small group of concerned Assyrians. Now we are talking about the whole nation, all over the world.
I am posting this letter, mainly for its proposal on Referendum to all Assyrians of the world.
Cordially,
Ivan Kakovitch
ivankakovitch@aol.com
------
*Mark Jacob Thomas, Esq. Is Legal Advisor to the Assyrian American National Federation (AANF).
**Until we hear from Assyria of Iraq, we assume that they are content with their present representation, as "Chaldeoassyrian Christians', and their responsibilities, thereof. However, should the leadership of Assyria come forward and indicate their interest on this matter, we shall gladly work with them , on not only this matter, but other matters as well | |
|
| Democratizing Iraq | | By Stephen Schwartz | December 16, 2003
Democratizing Iraq
By Stephen Schwartz
New York Post | September 29, 2003
The Iraqi Governing Council has issued a temporary, two-week ban against Al-Jazeera and al-Arabiya, the two main Arab satellite TV networks - a move that points at center state the question of how to forward orderly free speech in the liberated nation.
"Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya will temporarily be excluded from any coverage of Governing Council activities or official press conferences, and correspondents of the two channels will not be allowed to enter ministries or government offices for two weeks," the council said.
The council condemned the two networks as harmful to democracy and tranquility in the country. The Baghdad authorities cited the broadcasters incitement of violence and disorders, and "journalism" that simply amounted to recycling the propaganda of the former Ba'ath dictatorship.
The two networks make it seem like every Iraqi is a jihadist "resistance" fighter looking for an opportunity blow him or herself up, taking along as many of the coalition's troops as possible.
Al-Jazeera could just as well be called Al-Jihad: It typically features visceral anti-American and anti-Western propaganda. Having repeatedly appeared on it as a debater, I can say that fairness, balance and even basic good manners have no place when its commentators weigh in on the United States.
But what do Iraqis outside the Governing Council think? Happily, we can find out - because new voices are being heard on the Iraqi side of the famous "Arab street," from websites to the burgeoning Baghdad daily newspapers.
Representatives of the Arab networks pled innocent to the Governing Council's charges. But some Iraqis were thrilled.
Only days before, an Iraqi commentator named Tayseer Abdul Jabber Al-Alousi wrote, "Most of the Arab satellite channels defend the former dictatorship and justify every one of its degrading crimes against the Iraqi people. This outlook has stimulated certain Arab leaders to pay off dishonest writers with petrodollars.
"Anyone watching these satellite broadcasts will recognize the hatred of our Iraqi people that emanates from them. They encourage terror, assassination, and some of them seek to destroy our national unity through incitement of civil strife between differing religions, sects, and ethnic groups. Some of these satellite networks' correspondents pay people to say things that follow their destructive propaganda line."
Al-Alousi does not write as a Sunni or Shia Muslim, but as a defender of a single Iraqi nationhood without a specific religious agenda. (If you read Arabic, check his columns out on www.geocities.com/Modern_Somerian_Slates.)
He says, "These satellite networks never explain how to help or support the Iraqis. They never talk about the [Coalition] heroes who did a lot for Iraq and who are working hard to establish safety and security. They concentrate on crime, death, bombings, and destruction."
His solution: Let the Iraqis start their own satellite network to broadcast their real thoughts.
Another popular essayist, Abdul Rahim al-Refai, seems to express the views of many Shias on the future of Iraq. He also has things to say few audiences in the rest of the Arab world, let alone Westerners, ever hear.
He warns that Iraq remains threatened by the Saudis, who disseminate their state form of extremist Islam, Wahhabism, around the globe. "According to the Saudi view," al-Refai recently wrote, "Iraq deserves to be punished for being different .¤.¤. the House of Saud oppressed us as well as its own subjects, for 35 years, until Allah brought our liberation. Curses on the House of Saud!" (Arabic readers can check out al-Refai's writings at www.nahrain.com.)
As the U.S.-led coalition faces the challenge of Iraq, one thing has become clear: the technique and technology of peacemaking have lagged far behind those of war. Coalition troops enjoy awesome military advantages, making the most of 21st-century technology.
But their methods of winning the hearts and minds of Iraqis remain bogged down in old habits. For example, Western military officers have been trained to deliver information to the Iraqi public through traditional civil affairs practices: loudspeakers mounted on and leaflets thrown from the backs of jeeps.
Extremist incitement is hard to counter by these methods -- or by direct censorship.
Free -expression as represented by writers like Al-Alousi is the solution to the primitive extremism as purveyed by Al-Jazeera and Al-Arabiya. It's time to assist Iraqis in creating their own free and responsible media -- delivering a choice, not an echo.
And an Iraq-based satellite network sure sounds like a neat place to start.
Stephen Schwartz, an author and journalist, is author of The Two Faces of Islam: The House of Sa'ud from Tradition to Terror. A vociferous critic of Wahhabism, Schwartz is a frequent contributor to National Review, The Weekly Standard, and other publications. | |
|
| ACCOUNTING | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
ÑÆíÓ ÇáÊÍÑíÑ:
ÇáÏßÊæÑ ÊíÓíÑ ÇáÂáæÓí
åíÃÉ ÇáÊÍÑíÑ:
ØÚãÉ ÇáãÐÍÌí
ÓÊÇÑ ßÇææÔ |
|
|
|
|
|
