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=> Fiery Article by Tiglath Chibo
| Fiery Article by Tiglath Chibo |
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Posted by
Jeff
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- Thursday, November 6 2003, 0:36:51 (EST) from 69.14.56.182 - d14-69-182-56.try.wideopenwest.com  Commercial -  Windows XP -  NetscapeWebsite: Website title: |
ANSWERING MAJDOLIN On the 31st of March Assyrians in Chicago proudly rallied to support the war in Iraq, backing the invasion of their homeland and supporting the US troops.[1] In a display of “instant-karma” and on the very same day of the Chicago rally Mosul, the ancient Assyrian capital of Nineveh (Mosul), was attacked by a B-52 air strike using missiles paid for by Assyrian-American taxpayers. The attack on the village of Bartilla in Mosul, was originally reported by Al-Jazeera as killing 20, but actually killed 21 and injured more than 70 Assyrians.[2] Initially seen as a tragic footnote in this war the event was soon forgotten by most Assyrians and considered a “price worth paying” as the rest of Iraq was “liberated.” Had the victims been killed by the Iraqi regime the Assyrians in the Diaspora would’ve sent out petitions, contacted their local governments and protested in front of the Iraqi government’s embassies. Yet the victims of Mosul, along with numerous other innocents killed during this latest war have been sadly forgotten. No religious designations, such as “martyrs” were applied to them. No candles were lit for them during this year’s Assyrian Remembrance Day. And no flowery poems reminded us of how they came to be killed. The victims of that attack were however not to be forgotten and in last week’s issue the tragic consequences of our ongoing support for this war in our homeland came back to haunt us.[3] Majdolin Yonan and her story is a “reality check” on the idea that any war can ever be justified, be surgical or benefit our people. Admitting that there have been victims at all undermines our simplistic “good vs. evil” religiously-based beliefs. This may partly help to explain why our organisations in Detroit have sadly chosen to ignore the plight of Majdolin Yonan. We know deep down inside that we are partly responsible for the pain and suffering of our people and the Iraqi people during this war. Weren’t our western governments the ones who originally installed, trained and supported Saddam Hussein during the 1970s? Weren’t our governments responsible for profiting through the selling of weapons to both Iraq and Iran during 8 years of carnage? Weren’t our military ships used to blockade Iraq and cause the death of 500,000 innocent children under the age of 5 due to US-led sanctions? Weren’t our governments responsible for this latest illegal invasion of our homeland and the deaths and injuries of thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians? Yes, Majdolin Yonan’s story is not unique. The innocent Assyrian civilian toll in this war alone has yet to be tallied but can be roughly assessed. If we forget about the numerous Assyrian men who died serving in the Iraqi army, a rough assessment can be made of how many innocent Assyrian civilians have died during this war. Assuming that the Assyrian population in Iraq is 1,000,000 and the total population of Iraq is 23 million then basic mathematics can be used to make this estimate. According to the latest figures of innocent Iraqi civilians killed during this war, taken from www.iraqbodycount.org, the toll ranges from 7757 to 9565. One million divided by 23 million multiplied by www.iraqbodycount.org’s minimum figure of 7757 gives us 337. Again 1 million divided by 23 million multiplied by www.iraqbodycount.org’s maximum figure of 9565 gives us 415. So the Assyrian cost of this war ranges from 337 to 415 innocent Assyrian men, women and children! But we have and continue to remain silent. Choosing the far easier option of sending tax deductible band aids to the people we have helped injure and kill. We have not yet admitted to ourselves that the US objective in Iraq is far from providing security or stability. We do not dare confront our corporate hijacked governments and tell them that we don’t think that any price is worth paying in order for Bush’s Enron, Rice’s Chevron and Chenney’s Halburton to improve their companies’ stock price. And we have yet to unite with other similarly disenchanted groups and called for a boycott of these very same companies’ products. Madjolin Yonan's story and the death of her baby daughter, her unborn child and the rest of the 21 Assyrians killed in Mosul on the 31st of March, is just one of many tragic stories that have and will continue to occur in the months ahead. But we can at last answer Majdolin Yonan’s questions and tell her who’s truly responsible for what happened to her and the rest of our dead and injured throughout Iraq. Majdolin Yonan, we are all collectively responsible for what happened to you. Our organisations are responsible for supporting this illegal war. Our activists are responsible for not bothering to protest. And each of us is individually responsible for allowing our tax dollars to be spent on the bombs that were dropped on your home and our homeland. I hope one day you can forgive us. David Chibo Australia References ======== 1. Over 4000 Assyrians Rally In Support Of U.S. Troops In Chicago, http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2003/3.31.03/index.php#NewsDigest 2. Iraqi Village Reportedly Bombed, http://www.acsa.nu/artikel.asp?lankid=25&artid=330 http://www.zindamagazine.com/html/archives/2003/3.31.03/index.php#NewsDigest 3. Woman who lost children, sight in Iraq struggles to cope, http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/world/iraq/20031020-9999_1m20iraqi.html [Mr. Chibo is a member of the Zinda Crew in Australia and has written exensively on the condition of the Assyrians in North Iraq. He spoke with Majdolin about her condition last week and discussed a fundraising campaign in Australia to raise money for her operations. At first Majdolin and her sister Wardiya were stunned that someone as far away as Australia had read the San Diego Tribune article and then taken the time to get their number and call to enquire and support them. Far from a sorrowful and weeping conversation both women kept expressing hope that things would improve. Majdolin is undergoing another operation this week and is hopeful that some improvement can be made to her condition. Majdolin has a Trust Fund account to which donations can be wired or sent from around the world. Our Australian readers can contact Mr. Chibo at 0421-353 253. Zinda Magazine readers are also welcome to call Majdolin's sister, Wardiya, at 619-300-9765 and enquire about Majdolin’s condition. Zinda Magazine urges its readers to give generously to the Yonan Family Trust Fund and help Majdolin and other war victims during the coming holiday season. MAJDOLIN YONAN TRUST FUND Community First National Bank 1234 E. Main St. El Cajon, Ca 92021 Account #8312633688 --------------------- |
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