Exclusion and Discrimination of the Indigenous Aramean People of Mesopotamia:

Distortion of their heritage; maintaining of Spiritual Colonialism and Continuation of Spiritual Genocide

 

The indigenous Christian Aramean (Aram-Naharaim in Hebrew, meaning the Aram of the two rivers) people of Mesopotamia are one of the Oldest Semitic people still in existence who have made great contributions to world-civilization, particularly through their language, Aramaic (Syriac), also spoken by Jesus Christ. This ancient Semitic people, now divided into several Christian denominations and spread throughout the Middle East, have been continuously present for thousands of years in the area of Aram-Naharaim and have faced discrimination, ethnic cleansing, genocides and continuous persecutions for hundreds of years.

 

Nobody gave any attention to our cry caused by pain and wounds. After hundreds of years being persecuted and ignored, we finally thought that the western missionaries, who came to the Middle East in the name of peace and brotherhood, would hear our cry. Unfortunately this turned out to be a miscalculation, since the missionaries, who were supposed to preach love and unity, acted quite conversely to their goal of preaching love and unity.  Instead, they severely damaged our people by creating division, and split our people into several denominations, weakening and making our people vulnerable to those whose dictionaries lack words like tolerance, peace and brotherhood.

Although the name of our people and its history is very well documented by brilliant scholars[1] of the Syrian Church of Antioch, the Roman Catholic Church and others, the Anglican missionaries felt it necessary to stick mythical names onto the minds of our people, which has caused us to be frequently misrepresented in some media by people who have no authority whatsoever to speak on behalf of our people.

 

In 1552 the Syrian “Nestorian” Church of the East was split into two groups as a result of the activities of the missionaries of the Roman Catholic Church. The part of the Church united with the Catholic Church in 1552/1553 assumed the name “Chaldean” and with that, the Chaldean Church (of Babylon) was born. In the late 19th century, we see a similar thing happening.  This time, being carried out by the Anglican missionaries, with the remaining part of the East-Syrian “Nestorians” of Hakkaria (bordering Turkey and Iraq) and Urmia (Iran), who were wrongfully identified as “Assyrians”; purely geographical and only applied to the “Nestorians.

The East-Aramean “Nestorians” prefer, since then, to call themselves “Assyriansand try, by all means possible, to force this term onto other Aramean denominations by spreading plenty of bias information regarding the origin of our people and our language.

 

After the adoption of ,, Assyrianism” by the East-Aramean ,, Nestorians”; they became so Nationalistic/Fanatics that they also started to distort historical facts. For example: Aramaic language; they changed in Assyrian” language; Aramean people in “Assyrian” people. Saint Ephraim the Syrian; became “saint Ephrem the Assyrian”; Syrian Church became “Assyrian Church”. In this way they try by all means possible to falsify our history and our sacred Aramaic language. The article on your website is a vivid proof of these attempts.

 

The fanatic people who nowadays do everything to distort the history of our people have even killed their own Patriarch in 1976 because he refused to change the name of the (Syrian) Church of the East into the,, Assyrian Apostolic Church of the East”. After the Patriarch was killed and a new Patriarch was elected; the name of the Church was changed into ,,Assyrian Apostolic Catholic Church”

 

These painful and mythical descriptions in reference to our people, invented by outsiders, who were unaware of the Hidden Pearl, which was, till the present day, buried beneath the persecutions and ethnic cleansing of past centuries, are definitely not in agreement with the historical facts recorded by the brilliant historians of the Church of Antioch who enlightened the world of their time, not only with the theological knowledge but with profane science as well.

The behaviour of the Missionaries to

 

The myths and legends of the western missionaries kept alive

 

Living in 21st century, one would expect that the world community finally would give our people the honour and dignity they deserve in agreement with the historical facts so that they finally can enjoy their fundamental human rights.

Unfortunately, the today’s reality is that the Indigenous Christian Aramean people of Aram-Nahrin are completely ignored and excluded as if they do not exist. An example of this exclusion has been the war campaign against Iraq by the United States in 2003. During this campaign, the myths and legends of the western missionaries were kept alive by various people of the American administration; including President Bush himself and other members of his administration. Our people in Iraq regularly were identified as,, Assyrians” and ,,Chaldeans” by Bush and his administration; while the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq completely were ignored. Please find below some example of this exclusion:

 

Examples of discrimination, exclusion and distortion of the Aramean people:

 

=============US- Government-2002=============

===========US- Government-2003 =========

 ===========US- Government-2004 =========

 

======Newspapers and other – Mainly ,,Christian” ======

 

==========The Press 2002========

==========The Press 2003========

==========The Press 2004========


 

 

=============US- Government-2002=============

 

 

Statement 2002-1

President Bush Outlines Iraqi Threat

Remarks by the President on Iraq

Cincinnati Museum Center - Cincinnati Union Terminal Cincinnati, Ohio

 

October 7, 2002

 

President Bush :.......,, The oppression of Kurds,  Assyrians, Turkomans, Shi'a, Sunnis and others…..”

 

Where are the Aramean people Mr. Bush?


Statement 2002-2

State Departement: Scholar Says Iraq Could Be "A Force for Democracy" in the Middle East

Kanan Makiya advocates federal system of government for Iraq

 

October 8, 2002

 

. "Iraqis deserve to live in an Iraq in which a Kurd or a Chaldean, Assyrian or Turkmen, be they male or female, can all in principle be elected to the highest offices of the land," Makiya said.

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people?  


Statement 2002-3

State Departement: Baghdad Regime's Policies Continue to Shred Iraq's Social Fabric

 Kanan Makiya advocates federal system of government for Iraq

 

09 December, 2002

 

……….. ,, Victor Tanner catalog the many ways that Iraq's Kurdish, Turkmen, and Assyrian minorities, as well as the Shia Arabs living in southern Iraq,,

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people?


Statement 2002-4

Presidential Determination No. 2003-05

MEMORANDUM FOR THE SECRETARY OF STATE

09 December, 2002

 

 I hereby determine that each of the following groups is a democratic opposition organization and that each satisfies the criteria set forth in section 5(c) of the Act: the Assyrian Democratic Movement; the Iraqi Free Officers and Civilians Movement; the Iraqi National Front; the Iraqi National Movement; the Iraqi Turkmen Front; and the Islamic Accord of Iraq. I hereby designate each of these organizations as eligible to receive assistance under section 4 of the Act. 


===========US- Government-2003 =========

 

Statement 2003-1

 State Department: State's Armitage Says World Must Show Resolve on Iraq

  

21 January 2003

 

 Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage:

 ……. …for all Iraqis. For Sunni. For Shia. For Kurds and for Turkmen. For Khaldeans and Assyrians…….Iraqi-born Educators and Scholars Consider Critical Educational Reforms

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people?


Statement 2003-2

 State Department: Iraqi-born Educators and Scholars Consider Critical Educational Reforms

Discussions focus on Iraqi education after Saddam Hussein

 

03 February 2003

 

By Phyllis McIntosh; Washington File Special Correspondent

 

 ………….. revised curriculum would celebrate Iraq's diversity and reflect the culture and heritage of major ethnic groups, such as the Kurds, Turkomans, and Assyrians, and various religious groups, including the Sunnis, Shiites, and Christians…….

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-3

 State Department: National Profile of Iraq,, People Nationality

 

February 28, 2003

 

 ……… Noun and adjective--Iraqi(s). Population (2002 est.): 24,011,816. Annual growth rate (2002 est.): 2.82%. Ethnic groups: Arab 75%-80%, Kurd 15%-20%, Turkman, Chaldean, Assyrian, Other distinct groups are Turkomans, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Iranians, Lurs, and Armenians….

 

 Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-4

 The White House: Statement of the Atlantic Summit: A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People

 

March 16, 2003

 

 President Bush, “…..All the Iraqi people -- its rich mix of Sunni and Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkomen, Assyrians, Chaldeans,……” 

 

Where are the Aramean people of Iraq?


 Statement 2003-5

 State Department: State Department Briefing, March 19, 2003

 

March 19, 2003

 

 State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher:…. freedoms of all Iraqis, Arabs, Kurds, Turkomen, Assyrians, Chaldeans, and others is also paramount in the future of Iraq.

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-6

 State Department: State Dept. Report Outlines Human Rights Abuses in Iraq

Powell cites Saddam's regime as great threat to global peace, stability

 

March 31, 2003

 

 ….Ethnically and linguistically the Iraqi population includes Arabs, Kurds, Turkmen, Chaldeans, Assyrians, and Armenians. The religious mix likewise is varied and consists of Shi'a and Sunni Muslims (both Arab and Kurdish), Christians (including Chaldeans and Assyrians), Kurdish Yazidis, and a small number of Jews and Sabean Mandaeans….

 

  Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-7

State Department: Kirkpatrick Says Rights Commission Must Help Ameliorate Abuses

 

April 03, 2003

 

Kirkpatrick:……… The government does not recognize any of the political groups or parties formed by Shi'a, Kurds, Assyrians, Turkmen or others…..

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-8

White House: Operation Iraqi Freedom

Life Under Saddam Hussein

 

April 04, 2003

 

President Bush… “…estimated that nearly 100,000 Kurds, Assyrians and Turkomans…..”

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-9

State Department: U.S. Central Command Daily Briefing, April 4

Military update on Iraq operations

April 04, 2003

 

Army Brigadier General Vincent Brooks, CENTCOM deputy director of operations says:

 

....... and it is very important to the Assyrian people of northern Iraq since the ancient city of Arapa…..

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-10

State Department: White House Issues New Report on Saddam's Record of Repression

 

April 05, 2003

 

…….. encompassing virtually every ethnic and religious group in the country -- Shi'a, Kurds, Assyrians, Turkomans, and the southern marsh peoples.

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


 Statement 2003-11

 State Department: New Iraqi Government Will Be "of, for, and by Iraqis”

Deputy Secretary Armitage's interview with CNNI April 7

 April 07, 2003

 

 Armitage:… to have to have representative government which has Sunni and Shi'a, which has -- takes into account and has representation of Kurds, Turkomen, Chaldeans, Assyrians.

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-12

 State Department: U.S. Promises to be Iraq's "Partner," White House Envoy Says

A Free Country Run By Free People, By Zalmay Khalilzad

 April 17, 2003

 

Zalmay Khalilzad……… the  mosaic of Sunni and Shiite Arabs, Kurds, Turkmens, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Yazidis and others…

 

 Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-13

 State Department: State Department Briefing, April 24, 2003

State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher briefed

 April 24, 2003

 

Richard Boucher,, ……Our view is that all the people of Iraq need to participate and be represented in their future government, whether they're Shi'a or Sunni, Kurds, Turkomen, Assyrians or others…….

 

 Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-14

White House: Operation Iraqi Freedom

President Discusses the Future of Iraq

 

April 28, 2003, Dearborn, Michigan

 

President Bush,,…… Whether you're Sunni or Shia or Kurd or Chaldean or Assyrian or Turkoman or Christian or Jew or Muslim ….

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-15

State Department: State Department Noon Briefing, April 28, 2003

State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher conducted the noon briefing

 

April 28, 2003

 

Richard Boucher,, …… they are meeting with a broad range of Iraqis including representatives from the Shia, Sunni, Turkomen, Assyrian, and Kurdish communities from both inside Iraq and from the expatriate and opposition communities.,, .

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-16

State Department: Grossman Says U.S. is Liberator, not Occupier of Iraq

 

April 28, 2003

 

Marc Grossman, Under Secretary for Political Affairs:

 

…… What we want to do is give people a chance to participate in that society; and that's Sunnis and Shias and Kurds and Turkoman and Assyrians. Everybody has a chance…...,, .

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-17

State Department: Northern Iraqi City Elects Interim Municipal Authorities

 

13 May, 2003

 

By James Matise; U.S. Army News Service

……." It was a day of firsts at the convention, which brought together Arab, Kurdish, Turkomen, Assyrian, Yezidi and Shabakh ethnic groups from Mosul and the outlying municipalities in the province. They endured an arduous election process that took the entire day to complete, but in the end celebrated their final product.

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-18

State Department: Iraq's Current Problems Are Solvable, Chalabi Says

 

July 23, 2003

 

By Judy Aita

Washington File United Nations Correspondent

 

Chalabi Says..... "We fully recognize the national political rights of the Kurds in Iraq, who are the largest minority with a well developed political institutions, and recognize the rights of the Turkomans and the Assyrians as well."  

 

 Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-19 

State Department: Wolfowitz Says Defense Funding Increase Is Essential

 

10 September 2003

 

Wolfowitz,,…. My meetings with Iraqis convinced me that they are looking to do the same thing. We attended a meeting of the Mosul city council, which was instructive in debunking the myth that Arabs, Kurds, Turcomen, Assyrian Christians and Yezidi cannot live and work together.

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-20

State Department: Iraq National Symphony Orchestra Performs in Washington

President Bush, Secretary Powell welcome Iraqi musicians to Kennedy Center

 

10 December 2003

 

By Phyllis McIntosh

Washington File Special Correspondent

 

…… Representative of the diversity of Iraq, its 63 musicians now include Shi'a, Sunni, Kurds, Armenians, Assyrian Christians, and Turkomen, as well as four women..

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2003-21

State Department: U.S. Releases Annual Report on International Religious Freedom

Executive Summary of 2003 International Religious Freedom Report

 

18 December 2003

 

…… The Constitution did not provide for the recognition of Assyrians, Chaldeans, or Yazidis, and the Government sought to undermine the identity of minority Christian (Assyrian and Chaldean) and Yazidi groups...

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


 ===========US- Government-2004 =========

 

Statement 2004-1

 

State Department: Defense's Wolfowitz says Women's Empowerment Vital to Iraqi Democracy

 

02 February 2004

 

By Paul Wolfowitz, Deputy Secretary of Defense;  

 

……few weeks ago a delegation of Iraqi women, led by Khuzai, visited the Pentagon -- there were doctors, engineers and teachers, Sunnis, Shiites and Chaldean/Assyrians, Arabs, Turkmen and Kurds…………

 

Where are the Indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2004-2

State Department: North Korea's Suspicions of U.S. May Be Easing, Armitage Says

 

03 February 2004

 

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE:

 

…… Now that's what will enshrine the relationships between the major groups -- the Kurds, the Shiites, and the Sunnis, as well as the Turkmen, the Caldians, the Assyrians -- who all have a desire to have some representation

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2004-3

State Department: U.S. Raises Reward for Information Leading to Capture of Zarqawi

 

 

12 February 2004

 

By David Shelby

Washington File Staff Writer

 

Iraqi Governing Council (IGC) spokesman Hamid Al-Kifaie:

…… Obviously, Zarqawi is betting on Iraqis fighting each other. But this is not going to happen. Iraqis are one nation, be they Sunnis, Shi'a, Kurds, Turkmens or Assyrians, we are all one nation

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2004-4

State Department: Coalition Provisional Authority Briefing, March 2, 2004

 

02 March 2004

 

U.S. Department of Defense DoD News Briefing

 

Army Brig. Gen. Mark Kimmitt and Dan Senor

 

…… have made Iraq the central front in the war on terrorism is because of events like yesterday; because when Iraqis come together, be it Shi'as, Sunni, Kurd, Christian, Assyrian, Turkmen, men, women --

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2004-5

State Department: Iraqi Women Raise Their Political Voices, Says Minister Berwari

10 March 2004

 

Minister Berwari:

 

…… She added, "The retraction and the target brought Iraqi women together for a common cause. Cooperation and organization crossed religious and ethnic lines - Shia, Sunni, Christian, Arab, Kurd, Assyrian, Turcomen."

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


Statement 2004-6

State Department: State's Deputy Secretary Armitage Seeks Qatar's Advice on Iraq

20 April 2004

 

DEPUTY SECRETARY ARMITAGE:

 

…….. to make the point that there is a future in the new Iraq for everyone, for Sunni, for Shia, for Kurds, for Turkmen, for Chaldeans, for Assyrians, whatever, that……….

 

Where are the indigenous Aramean people of Iraq?


==========The Press 2002========

 

Articles published in various media's in which the Aramean people falsely are represented as,, Assyrians" or sometimes as,, Chaldeans"

 

Article 2002-1

 

Date: 9-8-2002 The Washington Institute for Near East Policy (www.washintoninstitute.org)

 

WHAT DO IRAQIS THINK ABOUT LIFE AFTER HUSSEIN?

  

By Michael Rubin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

  

Mr. Rubin writes among others….. Many were Kurdish, but some were Turkoman, Arab or Assyrian (Aramean)…. many Iraqi Arabs, and minorities like the Turkomans and Assyrians (Arameans) find such a vision…..

 

The same article published on:

 

* Iraq Watch http://www.iraqwatch.org/ (Article 2002-2)

* The American Enterprise Institute For Public Policy Research http://www.aei.org (Article 2002-3)

 


Article 2002-2

 

Date: 9-8-2002 Iraq Watch http://www.iraqwatch.org/

 

WHAT DO IRAQIS THINK ABOUT LIFE AFTER HUSSEIN?

 

 

By Michael Rubin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

 

The same as Article 2002-1

 


Article 2002-3

 

Date: 9-8-2002 The American Enterprise Institute For Public Policy Research http://www.aei.org

 

WHAT DO IRAQIS THINK ABOUT LIFE AFTER HUSSEIN?

 

 By Michael Rubin

The Washington Institute for Near East Policy

 

The same as Article 2002-1

 


Article 2002-4

Date: 6-11-2002 ABC News. com

Sounds of Silence

Iraqi Assyrians (Arameans) Speak the Language Jesus Spoke — But For How Long?

By Leela Jacinto

Iraqi Assyrians…. Assyrian (Aramean) International News Agency…… Called the Assyrians, (Arameans)…. Assyrian (Aramean) households…..  Assyrian (Aramean) American League…. Assyrian (Aramean) community ….. Assyrians (Arameans) define themselves …. the Assyrians (Arameans) ….. the Assyrians (Arameans) …. Assyrians (Arameans) and Turkomen….. Assyrian (Aramean) -American specialist….. of Assyrians (Arameans) in….. Assyrians (Arameans) are spread… estimated 4 million Assyrians (Arameans) live… that Assyrian concerns …. and Assyrians (Aramean) in the Middle East…. estimated 1 million Assyrians (Arameans) …. the Assyrian (Aramean)  community…. bridging of Assyrian (Aramean) ….. an Iraqi Assyrian (Aramean) ….. Kurds and the Assyrians (Arameans) …. Assyrian villages…… Some Iraqi Assyrians (Arameans) …. Assyrian (Aramean)  groups in northern…. Assyrian (Aramean)  community ….. the Assyrian (Aramean) fear….. the Assyrian (Aramean)  point… call them 'Assyrian (Aramean)  Muslims…… for Assyrians (Aramean)  living… 4 million Assyrians (Arameans) living in the West…. Assyrian (Aramean) exile communities…. And Iraqi Assyrians (Arameans)  hope


Article 2002-5

Date: 12-12-2002; International Society for Human Rights (www.ishr.org)

 

Keine derzeitige Terminierung für Beitrittsverhandlungen der Türkei

 

By Karl Hafen

 

...........zurückkehrende assyrische (Aramese) Christenassyrischen (Aramese) Christen während

 

The Germany based “Human” Rights Organization claim to have respect for Human Rights. Our experience with this ,,Human” Rights organization is a different one. We informed them in the past and requested not to identify our people with the myths and legends of the western missionaries. Unfortunately they continue with glorification of the divide and rule politics of the western missionaries and ignore ore request. Other publication from ISHR:

 

*Article 2003-17

*Article 2003-17-A

*Article 2004-11

*Article 2004-23

*Article 2004-23-A


Article 2002-6

 

Date: 14-11-2002, Turkish Daily News (www.turkishdailynews.com)

 

Spiritual leaders meet in iftar dinner

 

By Hasan Altinisik

 

Assyrian (Aramean) Orthodox Metropolitan…… Assyrian (Aramean) Catholic Bishop….. Assyrian (Aramean) Orthodox Metropolitan…


Article 2002-7

 

Date: 19-12-2002, USA TODAY

 

Iraqi Christians fear invasion backlash

 

 

By Vivienne Walt,

 

Christians are Assyrian Catholics,….. A 71-year-old Assyrian nun,…..  ancient Assyrian prayers.


 

Article 2002-8

 

Date: 22-12-2002; The Wall Street Journal (www.wsj.com/)

 

Iraq's Christians

Saddam persecutes them, too.

 

BY JONATHAN ERIC LEWIS

 

the Assyrians (Arameans), Iraq's indigenous Christians, …. The Assyrian (Aramean) Christians,….. the Assyrians (Arameans) as protectors…. using the Assyrians (Arameans)' prior alliance…… scores of Assyrian (Aramean) civilians…….. Assyrian (Aramean)-British connection…….. that Assyrians (Arameans) are…. the existence of the Assyrians (Arameans)….. ethnically cleanse the Assyrians (Arameans) from…. obliterate Assyrian civilization,…. Assyrian (Aramean) artifacts….. Speaking Assyrian (Aramean)……. its Assyrian (Aramean) population….. persecution of Assyrians (Arameans)….. Assyrians (Arameans) (like their…… refer to Assyrians (Arameans)…. Assyrians (Arameans) have…. are Assyrians (Arameans) and… Assyrian (Aramean)-American organizations…. Iraq's repression of its Assyrians (Arameans)…. behalf of Assyrian (Aramean)-Americans,…. that Assyrian rights be respected….. welcomed Assyrian (Aramean) participation in…. that several Assyrian (Aramean) representatives… with the Christian Assyrians (Arameans)….. stopped Assyrian (Aramean)-American organizations… offering the Assyrians…. the Assyrians (Arameans) have rejected the… formed Assyrian (Aramean)-American League,…. other credible Assyrian (Aramean)…. seek out Assyrian (Aramean)-Americans'… Assyrian (Aramean)-Americans have,…. against the Assyrians (Arameans) in…. Assyrians (Arameans), Kurds, and Turkomans…. safeguards for Assyrians (Arameans),….. Assyrians (Arameans) arguably have….. that Assyrians (Arameans) in northern Iraq…. the Assyrians (Arameans) in northern Iraq.

 

After the publication of Mr. Lewis; we contacted him and asked gently not to label our people as,, Assyrians”. Unfortunately, Mr. Lewis continued with crusade in favor of glorification of the myth invented by the Anglican Missionaries. On the Middle-eastern Forum, Mr. Lewis published again a inaccurate and contradictive article in which undeserved the Aramean people are being identified as,, Assyrians”; see Article 2003-31 (and Article 2003-42 (published on www.forward.com)


==========The Press 2003========

 

Article 2003-1

 

Date: January 6, 2003, The Irish Times (http://www.ireland.com/)

 

Will Christians of Iraq be denied the promise of peace?

 

By Rev Patrick Comerford,

 

Rev Patrick Comerford is very generous with his remarks towards divide and rule politics among the East-Aramean ,, Nestorians” by the Catholic missionaries in the 16th century in the middle-east. He says,, Although numbers dwindled through wars, persecutions and massacres, these Christians maintained their unity until the arrival of Latin missionaries, intent on suppressing Nestorianism and forcing union with Rome. Those efforts eventually caused a major rift in the 16th century. Today, Iraq is the only country in the Middle East where the largest church of the Christian minority is in communion with Rome:the Chaldean church remains a vital force in the Christian world of the Middle East”

 

It would have given evidence of respect towards both the history and humanity if Rev Comerford the respected and the independent reader of the Irish Times had informed about the attempts made by the Anglican missionaries[1] (his own church) to brainwash the East-Aramean ,, Nestorians” of Hakkaria (bordering Turkey- Irak) and Urmia (Iran) to see themselves as,, Assyrians” in stead of Arameans.

 

He says,, The Assyrian Church of the East, as it became known….

 

Pity that Rev Comerford ,,forget” to mention that the identification “Assyrian” a invention was of his own church with the result that the East-Aramean ,,Nestorians” became nationalistic fanatics. Even so fanatic, that they have killed their own Patriarch[2], Mar Eshai Shamun XXIII, in 1976 because he refused to change the name of the “Syrian Church of the East,, in the ,,Assyrian Church of the East”. However, after the Patriarch was killed and the new one was elected; the name of the Church was changed in,, Assyrian Church of the East

 

It also remarkable that Rev Comerford is only bringing the ,,Assyrian Church of the East” to the attention of the world; while they are the third group as minority compared to West-Aramean Syrian Orthodox and East-Aramean Chaldeans.

 

 [1]= http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/ChristiansOfIraq.htm#E

       http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/Faq_IraqiChristians.htm#A

[2]= http://www.aramnahrin.org/English/Faq_IraqiChristians.htm#A

 


Article 2003-2

 

Date: Tuesday, 14 January, 2003, BBC news (http://news.bbc.co.uk/)

 

Profile: Assyrian (Aramean) parties

 

The ADM encompasses Chaldean, Assyrian (Aramean) and Syriac ethnic identities - which the party says are different names for the same nation - and represents several different Christian denominations, including Chaldean Catholics, Syriac Catholics, Orthodox, Eastern Assyrians (Aramean) and Protestants.

 

We have sent the BBC a response to this article in order to set right a few incorrect issues proclaimed in this very article.

BBC published more articles in which the indigenous Aramean people of Mesopotamia in contradiction to the historical facts were identified as ,,Assyrians”. We always sent them information to refute this nonsense.  


Article 2003-3

 

Date: January 15, 2003, Modbee.com

 

Assyrians (Arameans) ready for action

 

By MICHAEL DOYLE

 

other international Assyrian (Aramean) figures,….. the Assyrians (Arameans) were…. active Assyrians in…. of Assyrians living…. the separate Assyrian (Aramean) …. an Assyrian (Aramean)  group…. Assyrian (Aramean) leaders, though,… and Assyrian (Aramean) … Assyrians are Christians…. said the Assyrian (Aramean) … the Assyrian (Aramean) Cultural…. the Assyrian (Aramean) Consultative


 Article 2003-4

 

Date: January 23, 2003, The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) (http://www.cbn.com/)

 

The Forgotten Christians of Iraq

 

By Ken Joseph Jr.

 

million Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……, But the Assyrians…., Currently the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians,………, 4 million Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…… for the Assyrian (Aramean) Diaspora……… and the Assyrians (Arameans) have…….., say that the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……….., in the Assyrian (Aramean) Diaspora,……….. the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……….. the Assyrians have…… the Assyrians (Arameans) have…………. puts the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……….. but the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……… influential Assyrian (Aramean) organizations…………. According to Assyrian (Aramean)…………. Assyrians (Arameans) should have…………. The Assyrians (Arameans) are…………. The Assyrians (Arameans) were…………. together Assyrians (Arameans) from…………. Assyrian (Aramean) Representation………….. independent Assyrian (Aramean) State…………. of another Assyrian (Aramean),……….. another Assyrian (Aramean) leaders…………. the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……….. the Assyrian (Aramean), Christian……….. organization assisting Assyrians (Arameans)……….. the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians………….. The Assyrian (Aramean) grandparents……… recent Assyrian (Aramean) Representation………..

 

In the build-up to the Iraq war in 2003, a mysterious a person, called Ken Joseph Jr. started a crusade to falsify the history of the Indigenous Aramean people of Mesopotamia in Iraq by spreading overwhelming biased and baseless information regarding the origin of our people. The falsehoods of Mr. Josephs has been especially promoted by the ,,Christian" media in the United States of America. These Christians seems deliberately to ,,Assyrianize” our people in the middle-east following the myths of the Anglican missionaries. They can’t get enough of it!

 

The same article was published on:

,, The Web Magazine of the Presbyterian Church in America” (Article 2003-5)

Worthy News ( Article 2003-6) and

Canadian Christianity.com (Article 2003-7; shortened version).

 

Also published from his hand:

Article 2003-13

Article 2003-14

Article 2004-13

Article 2004-20

Article 2004-22

Article 2004-37


Article 2003-5

 

Date: January 23, 2003 The Web Magazine of the Presbyterian Church in America (http://www.christianity.com)

 

The Forgotten Christians of Iraq

 

By Ken Joseph Jr.

 

The same as Article 2003-4


 Article 2003-6

 

Date: January 23, 2003 Worthy News (http://www.worthynews.com/)

 

The Forgotten Christians of Iraq

 

By Ken Joseph Jr.

 

The same as Article 2003-4


Article 2003-7

 

Date: February 2003, 2003 Canadian Christianity.com

 

Iraq's forgotten Christians

 

By Ken Joseph Jr.

 

 ……these remnants of the Assyrian empire speak Aramaic, the language of Jesus….

 

This is definitely not true! The modern Assyrians are definitely not remnants of the former Assyrian empire; but rather a colonial product of the Western missionaries created in the 19th century.

 

…. It was to them that the apostle Thomas came, and their King Abgar repented for his people -- and Assyria in the 1st century became the first Christian nation…..

 

This is typical self fabricated nonsense! King Abgar of Edessa was an Aramean king and not an Assyrian. Secondly, it is has been never proven that Thomas have Christianized the East-Aramean ,, Nestorian” of Iran. All these mythical stories are fabricated by themselves! The only thing they seem to be good to do is distorting of the historical facts and exchanging it for self fabricated myths and legends; something which writer and his followers seem to be very good to do!

 

Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…….. today's Assyrians (Arameans)…… for the Assyrian (Aramean)………. the Assyrians (Arameans) have……….. that Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……… the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……. the Assyrians (Arameans) have………. however, the Assyrians (Arameans) have…….. of the Assyrian (Aramean) Universal…….. The Assyrians (Arameans) are calling……… The Assyrians (Arameans) were twice……… assisting Assyrians (Arameans),

 

The same as Article 2003-4


 Article 2003-8

 

Date: February 13, 2003, Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) News (http://www.cbn.com/)

 

Iraqi Christians Shackled by Fear, Daring to Hope

 

By Paul Strand

 

…. many of whom are Assyrians (Arameans),…….. an Assyrian (Aramean) now………… The Assyrians (Arameans) were….. same Assyrians (Arameans)… of the Assyrian (Aramean) … the Assyrians (Arameans) are… massacre of Assyrians (Arameans) by…. was the Assyrians (Arameans) who…. the Assyrians (Arameans) were… and present-day Assyrians (Arameans)…. the Assyrians (Arameans)…. freedom, the Assyrians (Arameans) and….


 Article 2003-9

 

Date: February 17, 2003 Monday Home Edition, Los Angeles Times (http://www.latimes.com/)

 

Assyrians Hope for U.S. Protection;

 

By Teresa Watanabe, Times Staff Writer

 

remaining Assyrian (Aramean) Christians,….. Assyrian (Aramean) spokesmen say…. for the Assyrian (Aramean)… Assyrians (Arameans) are one… heard of Assyrians (Arameans)………… the Assyrian (Aramean) American…….. Some Assyrians (Arameans) say……… describes Assyrians (Arameans)…….. against modern Assyrians (Arameans)………. puts Assyrians (Arameans) in the…….. common Assyrian (Aramean) identity……… distinct from Assyrians (Arameans)…. from Assyrians (Arameans), who… and Assyrian (Aramean) leaders… of the Assyrian (Aramean) American……… to fellow Assyrians (Arameans)…….. same time, Assyrians (Arameans) say…… The Assyrian (Aramean) International….. Institute for saying Assyrians (Arameans)…… of Assyrian identity……. Assyrians (Arameans) are not……. Assyrians (Arameans), including….. the Assyrians (Arameans) news……. Assyrian (Aramean)……. another Assyrian (Aramean) church… Assyrians (Arameans) had been… as the Assyrian (Aramean) American… Assyrians (Arameans) are now…. The Assyrian (Aramean)… the Assyrian (Aramean) American…….. Assyrians say other…. of Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…. the Assyrian (Aramean) American… At the Assyrian (Aramean) center… know of Assyrians only…. of the Assyrian (Aramean) American…. outside the Assyrian (Aramean) center…. concerns for Assyrians (Arameans) in….


 

Article 2003-10

 

Date: Washington, DC, February 20, 2003; Institute on Religion and Public Policy (http://www.religionandpolicy.org/)

 

Iraq's Suffering Christians

 

By Lord David Alton

 

These Assyrians (Arameans) and Chaldeans (Arameans)…. denominations amongst the Assyrians (Arameans) …. Assyrian (Aramean) monasteries……. Assyrian (Aramean) villages…….. About 400,000 more Assyrian (Aramean) Christians….. Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…….. murdered Assyrian (Aramean) women……..

 


 Article 2003-11

 

Date: February 25, 2003; LewRockwell.com (www.lewrockwell.com)

 

Christians for Saddam?

 

By Glen Chancy

 

….are ethnically Assyrian (Aramean)Many Assyrians (Arameans)…… Assyrians (Arameans) define……….. The Assyrians (Arameans) have…… the Assyrian (Aramean) kingdom…….. the Assyrians (Arameans) the Assyrians (Arameans)….. the Assyrians (Arameans)… Assyrians (Arameans) are spread……… most Assyrians (Arameans)…. which Assyrians (Arameans) the Assyrians (Arameans) would…. among Assyrians (Arameans)…… the Assyrian American… Assyrian (Aramean) community… Assyrians (Arameans)….. Should the Assyrians (Arameans)…. Assyrians (Arameans) live……the Assyrians (Arameans)…… the Assyrian (Aramean)…. Assyrians (Arameans) are…… among Assyrians (Arameans)….. the Assyrians (Arameans) will……. Assyrian (Aramean) villages…… the Assyrians (Arameans) may……. the Assyrians (Arameans)……. the Assyrians (Arameans) feel…… the Assyrian Christians……. the Assyrian communities…….native Assyrian…….. 15,000 Assyrians…………. the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…….. The Assyrians (Arameans) are………. the Assyrians (Arameans)….. the Assyrians (Arameans) could… the Assyrians (Arameans) with…….. the Assyrian (Aramean) community………The Assyrians (Arameans) still speak … The Assyrians (Arameans) have ….

 

….In Iraq, live an estimated 1 million Christians who are ethnically Assyrian.

 

Mr. Chancy seems to have no slightest idea of what he is really telling the independent reader. He clearly is unaware of the fact that is he is coming out with overwhelming nonsense in his article resulting in fake informed independent and respected reader.

After the publication of this article; we have informed Mr. Chancy about the many inaccuracies in his article. Mr. Chancy unfortunately, neglected our appeal to stop identifying our people with the former,, Assyrians”. On the contrary he continues with his crusade deliberately to spread fake information regarding the origin of our people. On 15th of September 2003 again an article was published by Mr. Chancy, full of inaccuracies and misleading; see Article 2003-37


Article 2003-12

 

Date:27-02-2003 JTA Global News Service of the Jewish People (http://www.jta.org/)

 

Assyrian (Aramean) community speaks Aramaic, provides a warm welcome to Israelis

 

By Gil Sedan

 

….. past: Assyrians (Arameans)….. of the Assyrian (Syrian) Church….. small Assyrian (Aramean) community…. The Assyrians (Arameans) like….. The Assyrians (Arameans) were….


 Article 2003-13

 

Date: February 27, 2003 The Japan Times (http://www.japantimes.co.jp/)

Persecuted for centuries, Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) Christians once again wary of their future

By Ken Joseph jr.

Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……… million Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…….. Assyrian (Aramean) empire…. the Assyrians (Arameans) are……… the Assyrians (Arameans) have……… Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) hristians…… 4 million Assyrian (Aramean) Christians………. an Assyrian (Aramean) Diaspora……… Iraqi Assyrian (Aramean) Christians………. Assyrians have………. Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) Christians………. the Assyrians (Arameans) have……….. the Assyrians (Arameans) living……….. Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……… the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians………… According to Assyrian (Aramean) …….. Assyrians should… .. Assyrians (Arameans) from …….. most Assyrians……… the Assyrians (Arameans)… …… The Assyrians (Arameans) face………… the Assyrian (Aramean) Christian…… massacres of Assyrians (Arameans)…… .. Assyrian (Aramean) Representation

 

The same article was published on http://www.orthodoxnews.netfirms.com (Article 2003-14)


Article 2003-14

 

Date: February 27, 2003 Orthodox News (http://www.orthodoxnews.netfirms.com/)

 

Persecuted for centuries, Iraq's Assyrian (Aramean) Christians once again wary of their future

 

By Ken Joseph jr.

 

 The same as Article 2003-13


 Article 2003-15

 

Date: March 24, 2003 John Mark Ministries (http://johnmarkhicks.faithsite.com/)

 

AID EFFORT TARGETS 'FORGOTTEN CHRISTIANS OF IRAQ'

 

Today's News Headlines.

 

……… Western Assyrian (Aramean) Christian….. precious Assyrian (Aramean) Christians….. I am Assyrian (Aramean) …. of the Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…. mainly Assyrian (Aramean) Orthodox

 

Article 2003-16

 

Date: March 30, 2003 10 Downing street (http://www.number10.org.uk/)

 

PM’s vision for Iraq

 

By: PM Blair

 

I want all Iraqis - Arab, Assyrian (Aramean), Kurd, Turkoman, Sunni, Shiite, Christian and all other groups -

 

Where are the Aramean people of the Middle-east Mr. Blair? Don’t they have the right to be included as well?


 

Article 2003-17

 

Date: April 24, 2003 10 International Society for Human Rights (www.ishr.org)

 

Historic truth must not any longer remain a taboo

 

……… and Assyrians (Arameans) in…… 500,000 Assyrian (Aramean)…. and Assyrian (Arameans) Christians….


 Article 2003-17-A

German version

 

Date: April 24, 2003 10 INTERNATIONALE GESELLSCHAFT FÜR MENSCHENRECHTE (http://www.igfm.de/)

 

IGFM: Historische Wahrheit darf nicht länger tabuisiert werden

Keine EU-Partnerschaft ohne Wissenschafts- und Meinungsfreiheit auch hinsichtlich des Völkermordes an Armeniern und Assyrern (Aramaern) im Osmanischen Reich während des 1. Weltkrieges

 

……….. 500.000 Assyrischen (Aramaeischen) Christen….. und Assyrischen (Aramaeischen) Christen….

 


Article 2003-18

 

Date: April 25, 2003 ChristianityToday.com (www.christianitytoday.com)

 

 

Christian History Corner: Missionary Tales from the Iraqi Front

 

By Steven Gertz

 

…….native Assyrian (or Nestorian) church… .Assyrian (Aramean) Christians……… ancient Assyrian (Syrian) church…… the Assyrian (Syrian) church… Assyrian (Aramean) bishop… the Assyrian (Aramean) patriarch Mar Shimun……. "make [the Assyrians (Arameans)] abandon…… Assyrian (Aramean) Christians …. to the Assyrians (Arameans)……….. Assyrians (Arameans) of heresy………. some Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…… The Assyrian (Aramean) church…… Assyrian (Aramean) villages……….. many Assyrians (Arameans)……. 15,000 Assyrian (Aramean) Christians …… more Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…… for Assyrian (Aramean) Christians in Iraq……….. provoked Assyrians (Arameans)……. the Assyrian (Aramean) church's

 


 

Article 2003-19

 

Date: April 25, 2003 Cybercast News Service (www.CNSNews.com)

 

 

Iraqi Christians Apprehensive About The Future

 

By Julie Stahl

 

…… 700,000 Assyrian (Aramean) Christians…. killed Assyrian (Aramean) Christians….

 

The same article was also published on:

 

Crosswalk.com (Article 2003-20)

SS Gospel centre Online (Article 2003-21)

FaithNews Network (www.faithnews.cc) (Article 2003-22)

 


Article 2003-20

 

Date: April 26, 2003 Crosswalk.com (www.crosswalk.com)

 

 

Iraqi Christians Apprehensive About The Future

 

By Julie Stahl

 

 The same as Article 2003-19

 


 

Article 2003-21

 

Date: April 28, 2003 SS Gospel centre Online (www.ssgospel.org)

 

 

Iraqi Christians Apprehensive About The Future

 

By Julie Stahl

 

 The same as Article 2003-19

 


 

Article 2003-22

 

Date: April 29, 2003 FaithNews Network (www.faithnews.cc)

 

 

Iraqi Christians Apprehensive About The Future

 

By Julie Stahl

 

 

The same as Article 2003-19

 


 

Article 2003-23

 

Date: May 5, 2003 CNN.com /world

 

 

Mosul elects council and mayor

 

…...  three Kurds, two Assyrian (Aramean) Christians, one Turkmen…. and one Assyrian (Aramean) Christian …… as Turkmens, Assyrians (Arameans) and…..

 

 

During this election three Arameans were elected:

 

  1. The East-Aramean of the East-Syrian ,, Nestorian” Church, Father Lewis Sako
  2.  The East-Aramean of the Chaldean Church, Mr. Safwat Aziz
  3. The West-Aramean of the Syrian Orthodox Church; Mr. Sami Lallo

 


 

Article 2003-24

 

Date: May 5, 2003 BBC News

 

Mosul holds landmark vote

 

…….. as well as Turkmen and Assyrian (Aramean) Christian groups. …. two assistant mayors from the Turkmen and Assyrian (Aramean) Christian communities.

 

No mention of the Aramean people!

 


 Article 2003-25

 

Date: May18, 2003: SonntagsZeitung (www.sonntagszeitung.ch)

 

Assyrische (Aramäische) Christen wollen nach Jahrzehnten im Exil ihr türkisches Heimatdorf wieder aufbauen

 

By Susanne Gusten

 

 

.....assyrische (aramäische)...., assyrischen (aramäischen) Christen……….