Stand By Israel!
I will never forget driving by "The wall" bordering Israel. Outside of Israel it is painted as a much hated and despised division of land that is unacceptable to the region.
As we passed the wall I asked the Palestinian taxi driver what he thought of it.
I of course expected a tirade of hate and venom directed at the hated symbol of Israeli occupation. I was shocked, when he said "My friend, we thank God for it every day! Before the wall we had trouble all the time!
They would come and steal, because trouble and we were always having problems. Now, since the wall there is peace!
I was stunned! Here was a Palestinian, driving by the wall and praising it! What was going on here?
Getting into Israel I was shocked to see an Arab language newspaper with a large picture of the Prime Minister.
What does it say?
I asked someone standing by.
"It says the Prime Minister is a fool."
As I looked at it, I realized the significance.
The only place in the Middle East where an Arab Language Newspaper can say the Prime minister of the country is a fool is . . . in Israel!
Amazing, when you think about it!
Then I remembered where I had just come from. Jordan. Walking into a Palestinian Refugee Camp I was shocked at the squalor and filth, but also the permanence of it.
"How long has this refugee camp been here?"
I asked. "Nearly 50 years" was the response.
One thinks of refugee camps as always temporary.
Having been to many, they are generally months or years - but not generally for decades. As I began to speak with the Palestinian in the refugee camp in Jordan I discovered something truly amazing.
Most of those living in the refugee camps did not have legal papers to enable them to travel, live and work.
They were in essence second-class citizens in a majority Palestinian country. In spite of having been born and raised in the country, the Palestinians amazingly did not have Passports and status.
I was shocked to hear what they said”We are treated like animals by the Arabs! They say they are defending our rights but with the exception of Iraq under Saddam Hussein all the Arab countries treat us as second class citizens." Now, I was really confused!
In Israel the Palestinians have Passport and live just like everybody else. The reality? For all its problems, Israel is the only "normal" country in the Middle East and ironically the only one that treats the Palestinians under their jurisdiction as citizens.
The reality on the ground is very easy to see.
For whatever its religions merits may be, islam is a total and complete failure as a political system.
Wherever it dominates under whatever name it may take it destroys the economy, abuses women, takes away hope and initiative and ethnically cleanses.
All you have to do is cross the border from any contiguous border into Israel. The same weather, the same sand, the same opportunity.
On the arab side it is dry, dusty, failed and hopeless. When you cross the border into Israel suddenly it becomes green, full of life, organized and "normal".
The battle that Israel is fighting for all its mistakes and failures is a battle that the whole civilized world must stand behind.
It is a battle for the rule of law, democracy, equal rights and all that freedom-loving peoples hold dear.
Political islam is frustrated because wherever it lays its hat it brings one consistent result - failure.
As Ronald Reagan said a generation ago at a time when the world community was saying that Communism needed to be "coexisted with", "contained", "respected" and the classic "the philosophy is right - it just that some places don’t practice it correctly", "No, Communism is evil and it must be destroyed."
Days after the fall of Baghdad I had a very enlightening conversation with an Iraqi woman. "Now that Saddam is gone I am not afraid!
They have beaten us and abused us, now we can finally speak." she said. "Nobody will tell the truth, but now we finally can" she continued.
"I am a direct descendent of the prophet. But I will tell you the truth. The real problem is political islam. It is evil and it must be destroyed."
She was a moslem, a direct descendent of the prophet.
Somehow on that hot, dusty afternoon in Baghdad she sounded like Ronald Reagan!
Ken Joseph Jr. is completing a book about his time in Iraq and directs Assyrianchristians.com
Monday, December 29, 2008
Thursday, December 25, 2008
A Politically Incorrect Christmas in Baghdad!
A Politically Incorrect Christmas in Baghdad!
Walking the streets of Washington DC leading up to Christmas I have come across a most interesting phenomenon.
Nowhere, and I mean absolutely nowhere is Jesus to be found! It is truly amazing! Extensive Christmas Decorations everywhere, in the stores, on the streets, wherever you turn it is Christmas!
I started to talking to people and asking them the simple question `isn't Christmas the birthday of Jesus?`
The answers I got were quite amazing. Literally everybody I talked to, paused and said `you know, you`re right!
It is supposed to be His birthday. What happened to Jesus? It is the most amazing thing.
Imagine if you had a birthday.
Your friends all came over, they partied, they ate, they exchanged presents and everybody acted if you didn't even exist.
Well, after a few minutes of that you would stand up and say `Hey! It's my birthday!`
As I began to talk to people, dozens of people, I started to get angry.
No matter what faith, creed, color - and you can find just about anything in Washington - they agreed.
It just wasn't right! Christmas, celebrating the birthday of Jesus and amazingly there appears to be a very studied attempt to completely ignore Him.
Well, contrast that to Baghdad. I am an Assyrian Christian and my family is originally from the Iraqi village of Mahmoudia in Northern Iraq.
I was there during Saddams time and remember the sheer terror that reigned 24 hours a day.
The constant fear that you could be hauled off by one of his `goons` and never seen again.
Well in Iraq thanks to our failed policies the poor Iraqis have not learned yet that you are supposed to ignore Jesus on Christmas.
Sponsored by the Iraqi Government, I repeat `sponsored by the Iraqi Government ` - no separation of Church and State here - there was a special Christmas Celebration in downtown Baghdad.
Guess what was the main attraction?
A huge Christmas tree topped by a Star?
A massive Santa Claus?
Fake snow? Nope! They had a huge picture of . . . . you got it, Jesus! There it was!
A huge, beautifully painted color painting of Jesus, the center of the Christmas celebration!
Iraqi Government spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf took it all one step further when he announced on behalf of the Iraqi Government, I repeat, `on behalf of the Iraqi Government` `All Iraqis are Christians today`.
Did I miss something?
No, I didn't. After meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki on behalf of the Assyrian Christians, I paused and said `Prime Minister, would you mind if I prayed for you.
` He beamed, ordered all his beefy, confused security guards surrounding us to bow their heads and we had a wonderful time of prayer.
Meeting later with Iraqi President Talabani on the same subject, I asked the question again. This time he pointed to his chest and said `I just had surgery on my heart - pray here!`
I thought to myself, `I wondered what kind of a reception I would get on on Capitol Hill, at the State Department or a dozen other Government Agencies after a meeting if I asked `would you mind if I prayed for you!`.
A cold silence, mass panic, a straight `no - with a couple exceptions, that would be the response!
Well, Washington and all of us this Christmas can learn something from the poor, politically incorrect Iraqis.
By the way Iraq is doing so bad I can`t seem to book my ticket to get back there - no open seats!
As every Iraqi Government says so proudly they have been `Liberated` and celebrate Christmas the way it should be celebrated with a huge picture of Jesus whose birthday Christmas is!
May God bless them all and may He call us back to our senses before it is too late.
Of all times in the middle of an Economic Crisis it is not the time to make the Birthday guest upset!
How stupid can you get! Christmas is the birthday of Jesus and the Iraqis got it right - put Him up front and center!
The Iraqis at least know that much!
They need Him and all the blessings they can get!
Ken Joseph Jr.
Walking the streets of Washington DC leading up to Christmas I have come across a most interesting phenomenon.
Nowhere, and I mean absolutely nowhere is Jesus to be found! It is truly amazing! Extensive Christmas Decorations everywhere, in the stores, on the streets, wherever you turn it is Christmas!
I started to talking to people and asking them the simple question `isn't Christmas the birthday of Jesus?`
The answers I got were quite amazing. Literally everybody I talked to, paused and said `you know, you`re right!
It is supposed to be His birthday. What happened to Jesus? It is the most amazing thing.
Imagine if you had a birthday.
Your friends all came over, they partied, they ate, they exchanged presents and everybody acted if you didn't even exist.
Well, after a few minutes of that you would stand up and say `Hey! It's my birthday!`
As I began to talk to people, dozens of people, I started to get angry.
No matter what faith, creed, color - and you can find just about anything in Washington - they agreed.
It just wasn't right! Christmas, celebrating the birthday of Jesus and amazingly there appears to be a very studied attempt to completely ignore Him.
Well, contrast that to Baghdad. I am an Assyrian Christian and my family is originally from the Iraqi village of Mahmoudia in Northern Iraq.
I was there during Saddams time and remember the sheer terror that reigned 24 hours a day.
The constant fear that you could be hauled off by one of his `goons` and never seen again.
Well in Iraq thanks to our failed policies the poor Iraqis have not learned yet that you are supposed to ignore Jesus on Christmas.
Sponsored by the Iraqi Government, I repeat `sponsored by the Iraqi Government ` - no separation of Church and State here - there was a special Christmas Celebration in downtown Baghdad.
Guess what was the main attraction?
A huge Christmas tree topped by a Star?
A massive Santa Claus?
Fake snow? Nope! They had a huge picture of . . . . you got it, Jesus! There it was!
A huge, beautifully painted color painting of Jesus, the center of the Christmas celebration!
Iraqi Government spokesman Abdul Karim Khalaf took it all one step further when he announced on behalf of the Iraqi Government, I repeat, `on behalf of the Iraqi Government` `All Iraqis are Christians today`.
Did I miss something?
No, I didn't. After meeting with Iraqi Prime Minister Maliki on behalf of the Assyrian Christians, I paused and said `Prime Minister, would you mind if I prayed for you.
` He beamed, ordered all his beefy, confused security guards surrounding us to bow their heads and we had a wonderful time of prayer.
Meeting later with Iraqi President Talabani on the same subject, I asked the question again. This time he pointed to his chest and said `I just had surgery on my heart - pray here!`
I thought to myself, `I wondered what kind of a reception I would get on on Capitol Hill, at the State Department or a dozen other Government Agencies after a meeting if I asked `would you mind if I prayed for you!`.
A cold silence, mass panic, a straight `no - with a couple exceptions, that would be the response!
Well, Washington and all of us this Christmas can learn something from the poor, politically incorrect Iraqis.
By the way Iraq is doing so bad I can`t seem to book my ticket to get back there - no open seats!
As every Iraqi Government says so proudly they have been `Liberated` and celebrate Christmas the way it should be celebrated with a huge picture of Jesus whose birthday Christmas is!
May God bless them all and may He call us back to our senses before it is too late.
Of all times in the middle of an Economic Crisis it is not the time to make the Birthday guest upset!
How stupid can you get! Christmas is the birthday of Jesus and the Iraqis got it right - put Him up front and center!
The Iraqis at least know that much!
They need Him and all the blessings they can get!
Ken Joseph Jr.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
Panelist Insults Assyrian Christians
Washington DC
In the second of a two part series of important hearings on the refugee situation in Iraq by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, one panelist caused a major controversy.
Dr. Judith Yaphe a Fellow at the National Defense University characterized The Assyrian Genocide of 1913-1915 as `due to their support of the British – not as a result of their ethnic, religious identity.`
During that period of time it is estimated that nearly two thirds of the indigenous Assyrian Christian community in Iraq was killed in a bloodbath that has gone down in history. It is an area of extreme sensitivity along with the similar Genocide against Armenians which is denied by Turkey and other countries to this day.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the US Government in 1998 to monitor Religious Freedom throughout the world.
While the panel, the first of which in July had concentrated on Assyrian Christian, Yezidi, Manichean and other Minorities the two part set of hearings was divided into two parts.
The first part of the hearing was testimony on intra-muslim conflict. The second concentrated on the refugee situation in neighboring countries including representatives from the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of refugee issues, Ellen Saurerbrey and representatives from both the UN and the International Organization for Migration.
While it was not the main topic, as it had been covered in the previous hearing, various panelists brought out figures for the total number of registered refugees. Figures ranged from a low of 20% of all refugees being Assyrian Christians to a high of 62% by another panelist, illustrating the large percentage of the total refugee population which is Assyrian Christian, the indigenous people of Iraq.
Many experts have expressed alarm at the emphasis on refugees from Iraq as seriously undermining the future of the struggling country.
In particular the Assyrian Christians as one of the Middle East’s last major indigenous Christian Communities instead of begin encouraged to leave the country should be helped to stay.
One expert said `Overemphasizing the refugee issue is very dangerous. Instead of encouraging people to leave, plans and ideas so they can remain in the country is key. The temptation of a US, European or other country visa can be overwhelming and leads generally to exaggeration of ones circumstances to leave.`
Of particular interest was a suggestion put forth by Imam Talal Y.Eid of UCLA to set up an area for the minorities within Iraq so they would not be a problem for neighboring countries.
Eid, originally from Lebanon said `I do not understand why we are discussing refugees in neighboring countries. Iraq is a large country. The solution is for there to be an area in Iraq reserved for these minorities so they can stay within Iraq.`
Eid`s proposal made at the hearing reflects the view of the Assyrian Christian Community worldwide who have officially at the invitation of the Iraqi Government applied for one province in their homeland under the Iraqi Constitution.`
Experts, see this, echoing Eid`s proposal as the only long term solution to the refugee problem in Iraq.
Prime Minister Maliki, at an earlier meeting stated `The Assyrians are the original people of Iraq. Whatever they need to remain in Iraq we will do.`
The Prime Minister and his office have put on the table an offer to make payments to Assyrian Christians and other Iraqis living in Neighboring countries based on the monthly stipend, payment for resettlement of any Iraqi returning to Iraq and a Province under the Constitution for the Assyrian Christians, the first step being a Security Zone in their homeland in Assyria in Northern Iraq.
The hearing further delved into the history of the conflict and Senator Arlan Spector, who along with Representative Frank Wolf initiated the original legislation forming the USCIRF expressed his strong support for the ongoing efforts to assist those suffering in Iraq.
He was followed by Senator Gordon Smith initiator with Senator Ted Kennedy of further legislation to help Iraqi refugees, both extending credibility and support to the Commission.
For the Assyrian Christians, though calling the Assyrian Holocaust a political rather than a religious genocide is akin to trying to explain away the Jewish Holocaust and has caused outrage in the community of nearly six million worldwide.
The irony of the program which hardly mentioned the Assyrian Christians who by all measure form the majority of the refugee population was that no particular support was expressed for them by panelists or commission members, some who left even before questioning began.
The one person supporting their goal – a homeland – was the moslem Imam from Lebanon.
Ken Joseph Jr.
Washington DC
In the second of a two part series of important hearings on the refugee situation in Iraq by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, one panelist caused a major controversy.
Dr. Judith Yaphe a Fellow at the National Defense University characterized The Assyrian Genocide of 1913-1915 as `due to their support of the British – not as a result of their ethnic, religious identity.`
During that period of time it is estimated that nearly two thirds of the indigenous Assyrian Christian community in Iraq was killed in a bloodbath that has gone down in history. It is an area of extreme sensitivity along with the similar Genocide against Armenians which is denied by Turkey and other countries to this day.
The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom was created by the US Government in 1998 to monitor Religious Freedom throughout the world.
While the panel, the first of which in July had concentrated on Assyrian Christian, Yezidi, Manichean and other Minorities the two part set of hearings was divided into two parts.
The first part of the hearing was testimony on intra-muslim conflict. The second concentrated on the refugee situation in neighboring countries including representatives from the Assistant Secretary of State in charge of refugee issues, Ellen Saurerbrey and representatives from both the UN and the International Organization for Migration.
While it was not the main topic, as it had been covered in the previous hearing, various panelists brought out figures for the total number of registered refugees. Figures ranged from a low of 20% of all refugees being Assyrian Christians to a high of 62% by another panelist, illustrating the large percentage of the total refugee population which is Assyrian Christian, the indigenous people of Iraq.
Many experts have expressed alarm at the emphasis on refugees from Iraq as seriously undermining the future of the struggling country.
In particular the Assyrian Christians as one of the Middle East’s last major indigenous Christian Communities instead of begin encouraged to leave the country should be helped to stay.
One expert said `Overemphasizing the refugee issue is very dangerous. Instead of encouraging people to leave, plans and ideas so they can remain in the country is key. The temptation of a US, European or other country visa can be overwhelming and leads generally to exaggeration of ones circumstances to leave.`
Of particular interest was a suggestion put forth by Imam Talal Y.Eid of UCLA to set up an area for the minorities within Iraq so they would not be a problem for neighboring countries.
Eid, originally from Lebanon said `I do not understand why we are discussing refugees in neighboring countries. Iraq is a large country. The solution is for there to be an area in Iraq reserved for these minorities so they can stay within Iraq.`
Eid`s proposal made at the hearing reflects the view of the Assyrian Christian Community worldwide who have officially at the invitation of the Iraqi Government applied for one province in their homeland under the Iraqi Constitution.`
Experts, see this, echoing Eid`s proposal as the only long term solution to the refugee problem in Iraq.
Prime Minister Maliki, at an earlier meeting stated `The Assyrians are the original people of Iraq. Whatever they need to remain in Iraq we will do.`
The Prime Minister and his office have put on the table an offer to make payments to Assyrian Christians and other Iraqis living in Neighboring countries based on the monthly stipend, payment for resettlement of any Iraqi returning to Iraq and a Province under the Constitution for the Assyrian Christians, the first step being a Security Zone in their homeland in Assyria in Northern Iraq.
The hearing further delved into the history of the conflict and Senator Arlan Spector, who along with Representative Frank Wolf initiated the original legislation forming the USCIRF expressed his strong support for the ongoing efforts to assist those suffering in Iraq.
He was followed by Senator Gordon Smith initiator with Senator Ted Kennedy of further legislation to help Iraqi refugees, both extending credibility and support to the Commission.
For the Assyrian Christians, though calling the Assyrian Holocaust a political rather than a religious genocide is akin to trying to explain away the Jewish Holocaust and has caused outrage in the community of nearly six million worldwide.
The irony of the program which hardly mentioned the Assyrian Christians who by all measure form the majority of the refugee population was that no particular support was expressed for them by panelists or commission members, some who left even before questioning began.
The one person supporting their goal – a homeland – was the moslem Imam from Lebanon.
Ken Joseph Jr.
Friday, November 7, 2008
One Simple Question
One Simple Question
Washington DC
When I was a kid growing up in Japan, our parents told us `You can do anything, you can become anyone . . . . except President of the United States.`
We all knew that there was one thing we could never accomplish because we were born in Japan.
As we come down to the wire on the election with so many issues, positions and ideas to evaluate, there seems to be one that trumps them all.
The answer to the simple question that I along with many other `foreign born` Americans have lived with all our lives – where were you born?
Amazingly, one the most basic premise for the upcoming election - the simple question `where were you born` as relates to Barack Obama remains unproved.
Sitting in a coffee shop this morning in Washington DC, I spoke with 23 year old Obama supporter Patrick Boland.
When told of the unsubstantiated rumors regarding Barack Obama`s birth, Boland said
`I had not heard that. While I would still support Barack Obama, that is something that would concern me.`
The unsubstantiated rumors are quite simple and stark.
1. Barack Obama was born in the city of Mombasa, Kenya at the Coast Provincial Hospital and taken later via Seattle to Hawaii and his Grandmother was present at his birth.
2. Barack Obama was taken to Indonesia by his Indonesian Father where he could not have gone to unless he was an Indonesia Citizen and registered in school as Indonesia.
3. Barack Obama attended University on a Foreign Student Scholarship.
There is one hint on the Barack Obama Website, under the `Fight the Smears` link.`
It says, `Since Sen. Obama has neither renounced his U.S. Citizenship nor sworn an oath of allegiance to Kenya, his Kenyan Citizenship automatically expired on August 4, 1982.`
The Obama Campaign confirms on their own website that until 1982, Senator Barack Obama was in fact a Kenyan Citizen.
The Constitution is very clear that one of the three qualifications for becoming president is to be a `natural born` American citizen.
What is most amazing is that to date, Barack Obama has not produced an official copy of his Birth Certificate.
What is produced is a copy of a `Certification of Live Birth`, which is not a Birth Certificate, but simply an `after the fact` Certification that anyone can receive following a birth.
Even more shocking is a complete lockdown on any information ranging from his birth certificate from Hawaii to his school records at Occidental College, Harvard and Columbia to any records from Kenya or Indonesia.
This just does not stand well.
Put aside for a moment all the policy matters and positions ranging from taxes to abortion to Iraq.
The most important question facing us in this election is `where were you born`.
Why does it matter?
First, obviously because if you are not `natural born` you cannot become the President of the United States as all of us `foreign born` kids learned a long time ago.
Second, though, and more concerning is the simple fact that if you are not honest about the single most important fact in an election than all the rest comes into question.
There remains one, extremely simple question that deserves one simple proof.
Before you vote, ask yourself the stark question.
Why has not Barack Obama produced the single most important document of the election – his birth certificate.
The answer to all other questions should flow from that answer.
Ken Joseph Jr.
www.kenjoseph.com
Washington DC
When I was a kid growing up in Japan, our parents told us `You can do anything, you can become anyone . . . . except President of the United States.`
We all knew that there was one thing we could never accomplish because we were born in Japan.
As we come down to the wire on the election with so many issues, positions and ideas to evaluate, there seems to be one that trumps them all.
The answer to the simple question that I along with many other `foreign born` Americans have lived with all our lives – where were you born?
Amazingly, one the most basic premise for the upcoming election - the simple question `where were you born` as relates to Barack Obama remains unproved.
Sitting in a coffee shop this morning in Washington DC, I spoke with 23 year old Obama supporter Patrick Boland.
When told of the unsubstantiated rumors regarding Barack Obama`s birth, Boland said
`I had not heard that. While I would still support Barack Obama, that is something that would concern me.`
The unsubstantiated rumors are quite simple and stark.
1. Barack Obama was born in the city of Mombasa, Kenya at the Coast Provincial Hospital and taken later via Seattle to Hawaii and his Grandmother was present at his birth.
2. Barack Obama was taken to Indonesia by his Indonesian Father where he could not have gone to unless he was an Indonesia Citizen and registered in school as Indonesia.
3. Barack Obama attended University on a Foreign Student Scholarship.
There is one hint on the Barack Obama Website, under the `Fight the Smears` link.`
It says, `Since Sen. Obama has neither renounced his U.S. Citizenship nor sworn an oath of allegiance to Kenya, his Kenyan Citizenship automatically expired on August 4, 1982.`
The Obama Campaign confirms on their own website that until 1982, Senator Barack Obama was in fact a Kenyan Citizen.
The Constitution is very clear that one of the three qualifications for becoming president is to be a `natural born` American citizen.
What is most amazing is that to date, Barack Obama has not produced an official copy of his Birth Certificate.
What is produced is a copy of a `Certification of Live Birth`, which is not a Birth Certificate, but simply an `after the fact` Certification that anyone can receive following a birth.
Even more shocking is a complete lockdown on any information ranging from his birth certificate from Hawaii to his school records at Occidental College, Harvard and Columbia to any records from Kenya or Indonesia.
This just does not stand well.
Put aside for a moment all the policy matters and positions ranging from taxes to abortion to Iraq.
The most important question facing us in this election is `where were you born`.
Why does it matter?
First, obviously because if you are not `natural born` you cannot become the President of the United States as all of us `foreign born` kids learned a long time ago.
Second, though, and more concerning is the simple fact that if you are not honest about the single most important fact in an election than all the rest comes into question.
There remains one, extremely simple question that deserves one simple proof.
Before you vote, ask yourself the stark question.
Why has not Barack Obama produced the single most important document of the election – his birth certificate.
The answer to all other questions should flow from that answer.
Ken Joseph Jr.
www.kenjoseph.com
The Danger Of Goodness
The Danger of Goodness
Washington DC
For those of us who have grown up and lived in totalitarian states the signs are ominous.
The unquestioning adoration.
The threats to anyone who dare oppose.
The clampdown on any dissenting media.
Unclear public policy.
It was the `good people` who welcomed Fidel Castro when he stood up against corruption.
It was again the `good people` who welcomed Khomeini home to Iran to start a revolution for the poor.
I will never forget meeting one of the original students, one of the `good` people who supported and worked with Khomeini.
He had promised food for all, jobs for all, freedom and equality.
The promises never materialized.
Months after arriving in Iran to cheering crowds, the same students who had joyfully welcomed him experienced firsthand the near immediate setting up of the moslem police state.
Stunned at the dramatic change of events and a `revolution` so different from what they had been promised, my friend asked Khomeini directly. `What happened to all your promises`.
With steely eyes, he told me Khomeini looked at him and said simply `I lied`.
I cannot forget the sadness in the eyes of the now middle aged student follower of the Islamic revolution.
The pattern is always the same.
We all forget at our peril that Dictators usually come to power on a wave of adoration and calls for change.
Once in control of the levers of power they immediately dismantle the very freedoms that allowed them come to power.
Why does this happen?
There is one very simple answer.
It is the danger of goodness.
Good people are at their core exactly that – good.
They always look for the best in people, strive for progress and hope for a better day.
They cannot imagine how anyone given such power would every want to use it for anything but good.
It is their one massive and gaping blind spot – their own goodness.
I was in Baghdad with a senior American General.
He had just finished a meeting with the panicked Assyrian Christians of the city.
`The meeting went very well. There were no complaints` he said.
`Was there anyone else in the room besides you and them`, I asked.
`Just a couple of Officials` he replied.
Having spoken with the Christians, I knew he had neglected, in his `goodness` to understand the `look` given to the Christians by the `officials` in the room.
Having endured Saddam Hussein, they all knew that `look`.
It said `say a word and you are toast`!
Goodness, as De Tocqueville found is America`s greatest blessing.
It causes us to reach out to a world with open arms of giving and caring, always believing, always pushing for a better world.
At the same time, as Americans it is our Achilles heel.
Sadly, there is evil in this world and understanding it first is the only way to be truly `good`, because the real purpose of `good` is to stand against evil.
Hopefully I and so many others are wrong and all the telltale signs of classic dictatorship will not come to pass.
I for one, though do not want to look into the eyes of another `good` person and hear them say `but it all sounded so good`.
Vigilance, a clear minded understanding of evil and a sharp eye at history are the only human ways to stop a dictator.
There is one thing, though that every dictator forgets about at his peril.
That is that goodness is based on faith and faith is nourished by prayer and prayer still changes history.
Disappointed? Fearful? You should be!
The solution?
Get on your knees.
Prayer still works and it still stops the march of evil and ultimately all tyrants fall in its path.
Ken Joseph Jr.
Washington DC
For those of us who have grown up and lived in totalitarian states the signs are ominous.
The unquestioning adoration.
The threats to anyone who dare oppose.
The clampdown on any dissenting media.
Unclear public policy.
It was the `good people` who welcomed Fidel Castro when he stood up against corruption.
It was again the `good people` who welcomed Khomeini home to Iran to start a revolution for the poor.
I will never forget meeting one of the original students, one of the `good` people who supported and worked with Khomeini.
He had promised food for all, jobs for all, freedom and equality.
The promises never materialized.
Months after arriving in Iran to cheering crowds, the same students who had joyfully welcomed him experienced firsthand the near immediate setting up of the moslem police state.
Stunned at the dramatic change of events and a `revolution` so different from what they had been promised, my friend asked Khomeini directly. `What happened to all your promises`.
With steely eyes, he told me Khomeini looked at him and said simply `I lied`.
I cannot forget the sadness in the eyes of the now middle aged student follower of the Islamic revolution.
The pattern is always the same.
We all forget at our peril that Dictators usually come to power on a wave of adoration and calls for change.
Once in control of the levers of power they immediately dismantle the very freedoms that allowed them come to power.
Why does this happen?
There is one very simple answer.
It is the danger of goodness.
Good people are at their core exactly that – good.
They always look for the best in people, strive for progress and hope for a better day.
They cannot imagine how anyone given such power would every want to use it for anything but good.
It is their one massive and gaping blind spot – their own goodness.
I was in Baghdad with a senior American General.
He had just finished a meeting with the panicked Assyrian Christians of the city.
`The meeting went very well. There were no complaints` he said.
`Was there anyone else in the room besides you and them`, I asked.
`Just a couple of Officials` he replied.
Having spoken with the Christians, I knew he had neglected, in his `goodness` to understand the `look` given to the Christians by the `officials` in the room.
Having endured Saddam Hussein, they all knew that `look`.
It said `say a word and you are toast`!
Goodness, as De Tocqueville found is America`s greatest blessing.
It causes us to reach out to a world with open arms of giving and caring, always believing, always pushing for a better world.
At the same time, as Americans it is our Achilles heel.
Sadly, there is evil in this world and understanding it first is the only way to be truly `good`, because the real purpose of `good` is to stand against evil.
Hopefully I and so many others are wrong and all the telltale signs of classic dictatorship will not come to pass.
I for one, though do not want to look into the eyes of another `good` person and hear them say `but it all sounded so good`.
Vigilance, a clear minded understanding of evil and a sharp eye at history are the only human ways to stop a dictator.
There is one thing, though that every dictator forgets about at his peril.
That is that goodness is based on faith and faith is nourished by prayer and prayer still changes history.
Disappointed? Fearful? You should be!
The solution?
Get on your knees.
Prayer still works and it still stops the march of evil and ultimately all tyrants fall in its path.
Ken Joseph Jr.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Monday, October 27, 2008
U.N.: More than half of Iraqi city's Christians have fled
BAGHDAD, Iraq (CNN) -- More than half the Christian population has fled the northern Iraqi city of Mosul in reaction to a campaign of killings and intimidation, according to the United Nations.
An estimated 13,000 Christians have left because of oppression the U.S. government blames on al Qaeda in Iraq.
Mosul, in Nineveh province, is one of the last Iraqi cities where al Qaeda in Iraq has a significant presence and routinely carries out attacks.
An estimated 2,300 families have fled Mosul this month, but the exodus has started to ebb, Nineveh province's Deputy Gov. Khasro Goran said Tuesday. No Christian family has left the city over the past seven days, and at least 100 families returned to their homes in and around Mosul during that time, Goran said.
Authorities said they believe Christian demonstrations earlier this month may have prompted the attacks. Hundreds of Christians took to the streets in Mosul and surrounding villages and towns demanding adequate representation on provincial councils, whose members will be chosen in local elections in January.
The violence that followed those protests left at least 14 Iraqi Christians dead and prompted the Iraqi government to dispatch more security forces to patrol the city. Violence has declined as a result, Iraqi officials said.
Last week, U.S. Defense Department spokesman Geoff Morrell said the anti-Christian attacks and threats are partly "due to elements of al Qaeda that still enjoy some ability to operate up there."
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Congressional Panelist Equates Christian and Islamic Fundamentalism
Congressional Panelist Equates Christian and Islamic Fundamentalism
Washington DC,
In a series of hearings at the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight a surprising response came from one of the panelists.
The hearings covering the so called `Helsinki Agreement` an ad hoc attempt at unifying various forces in Iraq under the direction of Professor Padraig O`Malley, Professor at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
The `Helsinki Process` described as `a collaboration between Iraqi political leaders and representatives of two other societies that suffered` had four of its members testify before the House committee on their ongoing project to build dialogue between the various parties in Iraq.
Basically made up of former opposing sides of the South African and Northern Ireland Conflicts, they use their former experiences to encourage dialogue in Iraq centering on the `Helsinki Agreements` signed by various parties in Iraq.
Mac Maraj a former underground commander of The African National Congress, previously a terrorist organization and now one party ruling party of South Africa led with discussions concerning the failure of US efforts in Iraq.
Following him, Roelf Meyer who led the negotiating team for the former Government of South Africa commented South Africa as the model for negotiations on Iraq.
Jeffrey Donaldsen and John Alderice who led opposite sides in the discussions in Northern Ireland compared the various sides of the conflict and final accords.
Organizer, O`Malley attempted to tie together the testimony before Chairman of the Subcommittee Bil Delahunt who offered his regular comments on the reconciliation efforts.
The general anti-American tone of the testimony made an additional turn in comments made by Lord John Alderice, a member of the UL Parliament from Northern Ireland.
`The whole problem in Iraq was cooked up by the right wing Christian fundamentalists led by George Bush and our former Prime Minister Blair. ` he said.
When questioned on the previous regime of Saddam Hussein and Islamic radicals currently terrorizing Iraq he said `The Christian Fundamentalists are the same as the Islamic Fundamentalists. They act from the same motives have the same worldviews.`
When given a chance to clarify his comments, in a later forum, Alderice refused to take them back, simply adding `these are my personal opinions` before launching into a similar series of comments on the similarity of Christian and Islamic `fundamentalism`.
One wonders first at the strong, anti-American feeling of the whole series of panels.
The lone exception was Jeffrey Donaldson, the Unionist Member of Parliament.
Official Congressional testimony with an astounding anti-Christian rhetoric capped by equating Christian Fundamentalism with Islamic Fundamentalism was clearly out of place.
Whether the so called `Helsinki Process` will succeed or fail is an open question, but with its anti-American and anti-Christian bent, it is sure to succeed in giving comfort and encouragement to the wrong side of the current conflict.
Ken Joseph Jr.
www.Kenjoseph.com
Washington DC,
In a series of hearings at the House Subcommittee on International Organizations, Human Rights and Oversight a surprising response came from one of the panelists.
The hearings covering the so called `Helsinki Agreement` an ad hoc attempt at unifying various forces in Iraq under the direction of Professor Padraig O`Malley, Professor at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
The `Helsinki Process` described as `a collaboration between Iraqi political leaders and representatives of two other societies that suffered` had four of its members testify before the House committee on their ongoing project to build dialogue between the various parties in Iraq.
Basically made up of former opposing sides of the South African and Northern Ireland Conflicts, they use their former experiences to encourage dialogue in Iraq centering on the `Helsinki Agreements` signed by various parties in Iraq.
Mac Maraj a former underground commander of The African National Congress, previously a terrorist organization and now one party ruling party of South Africa led with discussions concerning the failure of US efforts in Iraq.
Following him, Roelf Meyer who led the negotiating team for the former Government of South Africa commented South Africa as the model for negotiations on Iraq.
Jeffrey Donaldsen and John Alderice who led opposite sides in the discussions in Northern Ireland compared the various sides of the conflict and final accords.
Organizer, O`Malley attempted to tie together the testimony before Chairman of the Subcommittee Bil Delahunt who offered his regular comments on the reconciliation efforts.
The general anti-American tone of the testimony made an additional turn in comments made by Lord John Alderice, a member of the UL Parliament from Northern Ireland.
`The whole problem in Iraq was cooked up by the right wing Christian fundamentalists led by George Bush and our former Prime Minister Blair. ` he said.
When questioned on the previous regime of Saddam Hussein and Islamic radicals currently terrorizing Iraq he said `The Christian Fundamentalists are the same as the Islamic Fundamentalists. They act from the same motives have the same worldviews.`
When given a chance to clarify his comments, in a later forum, Alderice refused to take them back, simply adding `these are my personal opinions` before launching into a similar series of comments on the similarity of Christian and Islamic `fundamentalism`.
One wonders first at the strong, anti-American feeling of the whole series of panels.
The lone exception was Jeffrey Donaldson, the Unionist Member of Parliament.
Official Congressional testimony with an astounding anti-Christian rhetoric capped by equating Christian Fundamentalism with Islamic Fundamentalism was clearly out of place.
Whether the so called `Helsinki Process` will succeed or fail is an open question, but with its anti-American and anti-Christian bent, it is sure to succeed in giving comfort and encouragement to the wrong side of the current conflict.
Ken Joseph Jr.
www.Kenjoseph.com
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Iraqi President Sends Message
In an exclusive interview on the sidelines of the opening of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Iraqi President Jalal Talibani was upbeat on Iraq.
`Iraq is doing well. Violence is down dramatically and people are returning home.` he said.
Talibani is Kurdish, and Kurdistan, his area in Northern Iraq has autonomy. Kurdistan is in the middle of an economic book and is in fact doing quite well.
Separated from the rest of Iraq since the early 1990s, it has developed on its own and had a head start on the rest of Iraq which suffered under the stifling control of Saddam Hussein and his Baath party.
A source of controversy is a bill recently passed in the Iraqi Parliament to abolish Article 50 of the Iraqi Provincial Election Law that sets aside seats for Iraqi minorities.
There have been demonstrations throughout the world by various concerned groups including over 5,000 in demonstrations within Iraq.
In a nation where over 2 million people have left and are refugees both inside and outside the country, minorities including Yazidis, Shabak, as well as the indigenous people of Iraq, the Assyrian Christians and others are deeply concerned at what they see as an Islamic drift in the country with growing influence from Iran and other more conservative regimes.
They see Article 50 which sets aside seats for each minority to protect them as a check on that drift.
One Assyrian Christian representative asking for anonymity said `Article 50 which protects the minorities is critical for the future of Iraq. We feel in fact, that a similar provision should be in the Iraqi Parliament where for example we have only two seats out of 275.
If our numbers are properly considered ? 2.5 Million or approximately 10% of the country at the last count during the time of Saddam Hussein ? we should in fact have 10 seats.
`The law was just recently passed` Talibani said `it is not consistent with the Constitution nor with what we feel is needed for Iraq. We need to do all we can to help those who are currently displaced to return home. As President I have the right to amend what parliament passes and I can assure you that we will be amending the change in the law immediately.`
He continued `We need to protect our minorities and this change sends exactly the wrong message. We are doing all we can to help those displaced to return and recently have put together a plan to provide 10 million Dinars (Approximately 8,500) to all who return as well as help in building a home and starting business for all.`
In an earlier statements Prime Minister Nouri Maliki and Foreign Minister Zebari echoed Talibani`s words by promising monthly payments to all refugees from the ballooning Iraqi Oil Fund as well as recognition for an Assyrian Province in the homeland of the indigenous Assyrian Christians in Northern Iraq.
`We need to get a message to the Assyrians and others that now is the time to come home. Whatever they need we will do for them` Talibani concluded.
`Tell them all that I will personally make sure that Article be restored and to contact me directly if there are any problems. We will do all that is needed to get all of our people home, in particular our minorities and indigenous Assyrians.`
All politicians make promises. The `devil` is in the details. All who hope for progress in Iraq hope that Talibani, Maliki and Zebari`s promises come to be.
In response to skepticism that his words will end up just that, words, Talibani thundered with his deep voice `I am President! Don?t worry.`
Having recently had serious surgery, it was time to stop. A brief prayer and the `President` was off to return to Baghdad.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
Iraqi Prime Minister Rejects Timetable!
In a wide ranging, interview, Iraqi President Nouri al Malaki appeared upbeat about the future of his country in contrast to the daily `bad news` coming from Iraq.
`I fully understand why bad news makes the news` Maliki said. `It is the nature of the world we live in. At the same time, I think it is important to let the world know that things in our country are improving dramatically.
Our unemployment rate has gone from nearly 70% to now under 30%. Our most recent growth rate was 3% and we have seen, in particular as a result of the recent Baghdad program a dramatic drop in so called sectarian violence.
Speaking through an interpreter, but often breaking in to confirm a comment, Maliki was in control.
`What is particular encouraging to me is the changes we have seen in our security forces and the trust from our people once again. We are finally seeing individual citizens provide information to our forces which has changed the situation dramatically in rooting out those who are determined to ruin our country.`
Maliki stressed three key goals. National Reconciliation, Economic Development and Expanded Security as the way forward.
`In spite of much information to the contrary, we are seeing a return to the Iraq we all once knew when we considered ourselves all Iraqis and not belonging to a particular sect or group.
Recently we have brought back large numbers of former members of the Baath Party who were not involved in any problems in the past and this has significantly helped to bring our people together` he said
`Economic development is taking place at a good rate. Part of the reason we are here is to encourage even more investment into our country. The monthly income of our people has gone from about $20 a month to now over $200. The dramatic rise in electrical use is one good sign that the economy is taking off. The stores are full.`
At the same time, Maliki saw security as the major concern going forward. `We need good and reliable security and we are doing all we can to expand the security forces so they can take charge. The key is the trust between the people and the security forces. This is where we have seen the most progress.`
Describing the current military situation as `moving from sectarian to outside interference` Maliki stressed that the so called `Baghdad Plan` was working. `We are seeing a dramatic drop in the sectarian conflicts and see our major challenge as that from the outside including Al Quaida and remainders of the Baathist groups.` he said.
`I think we are the only country in the region with a Human Rights Ministry - we have suffered much in the past, all of us and the Human Rights Ministry is dedicated to rooting out all forms of abuse. It is a positive sign`
Reacting to the question of a timetable, Maliki strongly objected saying `There is no timetable for the Multinational forces to leave. We are working together with our friends to bring security under control. The only `timetable` is that of our forces and our nation as a whole being able to assume responsibility for our situation.`
Reacting to large numbers of refugees in neighboring countries, Maliki said `We do not consider them refugees. they are displaced and we are doing all we can to create a sit uation where they can return. They are our responsibility and we do not need help from others to take them in - they will return home.`
Speaking to the minorities, many who in fact are in neighboring countries including an estimated nearly 500,000 Assyrian Christians Maliki said `I have a bias towards the Assyrian Christians. They are the indigenous people of our country and our our most nationalist and good people.`
`We want them to be inside the country and active and able to retake their rights. We will do all we can to help them. At the same time, if they feel they need an area, a province of their own as the Constitution provinces I support this fully`
The Assyrian Christians have made a formal request for a Province in their homeland which many see as the only way to persuade the many outside the country to return. The Assyr ian Province, under the same legal framework as neighboring Kurdistan is seen as a key to bring the Northern part of Iraq into stability.
Commenting on the death of Saddam Hussein Maliki said `In the end he was charged only for the deaths of a hundred people. He should have been charged for the deaths of the hundreds of thousands he really killed. We gave him a long and fair trial. It is unfortunate that pictures of his death were shown, but we are not used to doing this and we have learned a lot.`
With daily flights from many part of Europe and the Middle East, Iraq is slowly returning to a more normal state. At the same time, the Prime Minister was clear that any discussion of timetables for withdrawl of Multinational Forces would be disastrous.
`In the end we will be able to take care of ourselves. Meanwhile we need the help of our f riends to stand against those who want to harm us.
Friday, September 19, 2008
One Of Us!
St. Paul, Minnesota
I will never forget attending a meeting in Washington, where both President George Bush and his wife Laura, spoke.
Laura Bush opened the event she was beautiful, eloquent and brilliant.
She blew us all away!
And then there was President George Bush.
He wasn’t very brilliant. He was `ok`, but definitely not amazing.
But what brought us all over?
It was the simple fact that although George Bush didn’t bowl us over – to tell the truth he came across as being pretty nutty - Laura Bush sure did.
We just loved her! She was real and just like us.
I think we all concluded `He sure doesn’t have it, but if she was with him, he must be pretty good too!`
I have met John McCain many times in conjunction with working to try and get his support for the Assyrian Christians in Iraq.
He is always prickly, mean and short tempered.
A typical reaction to asking for his support for Christians in Iraq would be `we don’t support any particular group.`.
Not exactly a `one of us` comment!
In fact there might be a bit of history that makes him so `prickly`, particular to those of us of faith.
My father, Kennu Joseph Senior, knew John McCain Senior.
A second Generation Admiral, commander of the Pacific Fleet, he was a strident advocate for freedom.
Often when he would meet my father he would say `Pray for my son! He is away from God.`
John McCain Senior, was known as a godly man, rising up early in the morning to spend a hour or more in prayer, apparently much of it for his wayward son.
I think I share the same reaction of most conservatives of not being particulary excited about John McCain.
Why have we reluctantly supported him?
Because lined up with Barack Obama, he is clearly a choice of the lesser of two evils.
But, Sarah changed everything!
We may not be particularly exited about John, but like Laura Bush with George, if she is on his side, he must be ok!
Why? Because she is one of us!
Just listen to her words!
`They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America.`
`By the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome.`
`I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.`
`But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart. `
What was so difficult about listening to the Democratic Convention?
They didn’t use our language and the few times they `prayed`, you could run a knife through the thick, icy atmosphere.
For people of faith, real faith it is words like `the Grace of God`, `a Servants Heart` and `prayer`, said in passing that grips our hearts.
We know for all the human frailties and the brilliance of campaigns and political rhetoric, at the end of the day we are at best Servants of God.
For some reason we will only understand in Glory, God chooses each of us, in spite of ourselves.
What finally put just about everybody over? The simple fact that she is `normal`, too.
Married, five Children, struggling to balance everything and a daughter that got pregnant before she was married.
Thank goodness for that sweet daughter. That really convinced me she is truly `one of us`.
Being people of faith, doesn’t mean we are perfect. It simply means that we see the world through glasses of hope, belief, faith and a higher purpose.
It means that we struggle every day with the same problems, disappointments and human failings as does anybody except for two special words, quoted by John McCain when asked what was meaningful in his life.
He replied `I believe in forgiveness and redemption`.
People of faith are not better, but simply forgiven and redeemed.
Is John McCain one of us?
Not quite yet, but with Sarah and the prayers of a special father on his side he is on his way!
Ken Joseph Jr.
I will never forget attending a meeting in Washington, where both President George Bush and his wife Laura, spoke.
Laura Bush opened the event she was beautiful, eloquent and brilliant.
She blew us all away!
And then there was President George Bush.
He wasn’t very brilliant. He was `ok`, but definitely not amazing.
But what brought us all over?
It was the simple fact that although George Bush didn’t bowl us over – to tell the truth he came across as being pretty nutty - Laura Bush sure did.
We just loved her! She was real and just like us.
I think we all concluded `He sure doesn’t have it, but if she was with him, he must be pretty good too!`
I have met John McCain many times in conjunction with working to try and get his support for the Assyrian Christians in Iraq.
He is always prickly, mean and short tempered.
A typical reaction to asking for his support for Christians in Iraq would be `we don’t support any particular group.`.
Not exactly a `one of us` comment!
In fact there might be a bit of history that makes him so `prickly`, particular to those of us of faith.
My father, Kennu Joseph Senior, knew John McCain Senior.
A second Generation Admiral, commander of the Pacific Fleet, he was a strident advocate for freedom.
Often when he would meet my father he would say `Pray for my son! He is away from God.`
John McCain Senior, was known as a godly man, rising up early in the morning to spend a hour or more in prayer, apparently much of it for his wayward son.
I think I share the same reaction of most conservatives of not being particulary excited about John McCain.
Why have we reluctantly supported him?
Because lined up with Barack Obama, he is clearly a choice of the lesser of two evils.
But, Sarah changed everything!
We may not be particularly exited about John, but like Laura Bush with George, if she is on his side, he must be ok!
Why? Because she is one of us!
Just listen to her words!
`They love their country, in good times and bad, and they're always proud of America.`
`By the grace of God ... the special confidence of those who have seen evil, and seen how evil is overcome.`
`I'm just one of many moms who'll say an extra prayer each night for our sons and daughters going into harm's way.`
`But we are expected to govern with integrity, good will, clear convictions, and ... a servant's heart. `
What was so difficult about listening to the Democratic Convention?
They didn’t use our language and the few times they `prayed`, you could run a knife through the thick, icy atmosphere.
For people of faith, real faith it is words like `the Grace of God`, `a Servants Heart` and `prayer`, said in passing that grips our hearts.
We know for all the human frailties and the brilliance of campaigns and political rhetoric, at the end of the day we are at best Servants of God.
For some reason we will only understand in Glory, God chooses each of us, in spite of ourselves.
What finally put just about everybody over? The simple fact that she is `normal`, too.
Married, five Children, struggling to balance everything and a daughter that got pregnant before she was married.
Thank goodness for that sweet daughter. That really convinced me she is truly `one of us`.
Being people of faith, doesn’t mean we are perfect. It simply means that we see the world through glasses of hope, belief, faith and a higher purpose.
It means that we struggle every day with the same problems, disappointments and human failings as does anybody except for two special words, quoted by John McCain when asked what was meaningful in his life.
He replied `I believe in forgiveness and redemption`.
People of faith are not better, but simply forgiven and redeemed.
Is John McCain one of us?
Not quite yet, but with Sarah and the prayers of a special father on his side he is on his way!
Ken Joseph Jr.
Prime Minister Maliki Speaks!
In a wide ranging, interview, Iraqi President Nouri al Malaki appeared upbeat about the future of his country in contrast to the daily `bad news` coming from Iraq.
`I fully understand why bad news makes the news` Maliki said. `It is the nature of the world we live in.
At the same time, I think it is important to let the world know that things in our country are improving dramatically.
Our unemployment rate has gone from nearly 70% to now under 30%. Our most recent growth rate was 3% and we have seen, in particular as a result of the recent Baghdad program a dramatic drop in so called sectarian violence.
Speaking through an interpreter, but often breaking in to confirm a comment, Maliki was in control.
`What is particular encouraging to me is the changes we have seen in our security forces and the trust from our people once again.
We are finally seeing individual citizens provide information to our forces which has changed the situation dramatically in rooting out those who are determined to ruin our country.
` Maliki stressed three key goals. National Reconciliation, Economic Development and Expanded Security as the way forward.
In spite of much information to the contrary, we are seeing a return to the Iraq we all once knew when we considered ourselves all Iraqis and not belonging to a particular sect or group.
Recently we have brought back large numbers of former members of the Baath Party who were not involved in any problems in the past and this has significantly helped to bring our people together` he said.
`Economic development is taking place at a good rate. Part of the reason we are here is to encourage even more investment into our country.
The monthly income of our people has gone from about $20 a month to now over $200. The dramatic rise in electrical use is one good sign that the economy is taking off. The stores are full.`
At the same time, Maliki saw security as the major concern going forward.
`We need good and reliable security and we are doing all we can to expand the security forces so they can take charge. The key is the trust between the people and the security forces. This is where we have seen the most progress.`
Describing the current military situation as `moving from sectarian to outside interference` Maliki stressed that the so called `Baghdad Plan` was working.
`We are seeing a dramatic drop in the sectarian conflicts and see our major challenge as that from the outside including Al Quaida and remainders of the Baathist groups.` he said.
`I think we are the only country in the region with a Human Rights Ministry - we have suffered much in the past, all of us and the Human Rights Ministry is dedicated to rooting out all forms of abuse. It is a positive sign`
Reacting to the question of a timetable, Maliki strongly objected saying `There is no timetable for the Multinational forces to leave. We are working together with our friends to bring security under control. The only `timetable` is that of our forces and our nation as a whole being able to assume responsibility for our situation.`
Reacting to large numbers of refugees in neighboring countries, Maliki said `We do not consider them refugees. they are displaced and we are doing all we can to create a situation where they can return.
They are our responsibility and we do not need help from others to take them in - they will return home.` Speaking to the minorities, many who in fact are in neighboring countries including an estimated nearly 500,000 Assyrian Christians Maliki said `I have a bias towards the Assyrian Christians.
They are the indigenous people of our country and our our most nationalist and good people.`
`We want them to be inside the country and active and able to retake their rights. We will do all we can to help them. At the same time, if they feel they need an area, a province of their own as the Constitution provinces
I support this fully` The Assyrian Christians have made a formal request for a Province in their homeland which many see as the only way to persuade the many outside the country to return.
The Assyrian Province, under the same legal framework as neighboring Kurdistan is seen as a key to bring the Northern part of Iraq into stability.
Commenting on the death of Saddam Hussein Maliki said `In the end he was charged only for the deaths of a hundred people.
He should have been charged for the deaths of the hundreds of thousands he really killed. We gave him a long and fair trial. It is unfortunate that pictures of his death were shown, but we are not used to doing this and we have learned a lot.` With daily flights from many part of Europe and the Middle East, Iraq is slowly returning to a more normal state.
At the same time, the Prime Minister was clear that any discussion of timetables for withdrawl of Multinational Forces would be disastrous. `In the end we will be able to take care of ourselves. Meanwhile we need the help of our friends to stand against those who want to harm us.
Ken Joseph Jr.
`I fully understand why bad news makes the news` Maliki said. `It is the nature of the world we live in.
At the same time, I think it is important to let the world know that things in our country are improving dramatically.
Our unemployment rate has gone from nearly 70% to now under 30%. Our most recent growth rate was 3% and we have seen, in particular as a result of the recent Baghdad program a dramatic drop in so called sectarian violence.
Speaking through an interpreter, but often breaking in to confirm a comment, Maliki was in control.
`What is particular encouraging to me is the changes we have seen in our security forces and the trust from our people once again.
We are finally seeing individual citizens provide information to our forces which has changed the situation dramatically in rooting out those who are determined to ruin our country.
` Maliki stressed three key goals. National Reconciliation, Economic Development and Expanded Security as the way forward.
In spite of much information to the contrary, we are seeing a return to the Iraq we all once knew when we considered ourselves all Iraqis and not belonging to a particular sect or group.
Recently we have brought back large numbers of former members of the Baath Party who were not involved in any problems in the past and this has significantly helped to bring our people together` he said.
`Economic development is taking place at a good rate. Part of the reason we are here is to encourage even more investment into our country.
The monthly income of our people has gone from about $20 a month to now over $200. The dramatic rise in electrical use is one good sign that the economy is taking off. The stores are full.`
At the same time, Maliki saw security as the major concern going forward.
`We need good and reliable security and we are doing all we can to expand the security forces so they can take charge. The key is the trust between the people and the security forces. This is where we have seen the most progress.`
Describing the current military situation as `moving from sectarian to outside interference` Maliki stressed that the so called `Baghdad Plan` was working.
`We are seeing a dramatic drop in the sectarian conflicts and see our major challenge as that from the outside including Al Quaida and remainders of the Baathist groups.` he said.
`I think we are the only country in the region with a Human Rights Ministry - we have suffered much in the past, all of us and the Human Rights Ministry is dedicated to rooting out all forms of abuse. It is a positive sign`
Reacting to the question of a timetable, Maliki strongly objected saying `There is no timetable for the Multinational forces to leave. We are working together with our friends to bring security under control. The only `timetable` is that of our forces and our nation as a whole being able to assume responsibility for our situation.`
Reacting to large numbers of refugees in neighboring countries, Maliki said `We do not consider them refugees. they are displaced and we are doing all we can to create a situation where they can return.
They are our responsibility and we do not need help from others to take them in - they will return home.` Speaking to the minorities, many who in fact are in neighboring countries including an estimated nearly 500,000 Assyrian Christians Maliki said `I have a bias towards the Assyrian Christians.
They are the indigenous people of our country and our our most nationalist and good people.`
`We want them to be inside the country and active and able to retake their rights. We will do all we can to help them. At the same time, if they feel they need an area, a province of their own as the Constitution provinces
I support this fully` The Assyrian Christians have made a formal request for a Province in their homeland which many see as the only way to persuade the many outside the country to return.
The Assyrian Province, under the same legal framework as neighboring Kurdistan is seen as a key to bring the Northern part of Iraq into stability.
Commenting on the death of Saddam Hussein Maliki said `In the end he was charged only for the deaths of a hundred people.
He should have been charged for the deaths of the hundreds of thousands he really killed. We gave him a long and fair trial. It is unfortunate that pictures of his death were shown, but we are not used to doing this and we have learned a lot.` With daily flights from many part of Europe and the Middle East, Iraq is slowly returning to a more normal state.
At the same time, the Prime Minister was clear that any discussion of timetables for withdrawl of Multinational Forces would be disastrous. `In the end we will be able to take care of ourselves. Meanwhile we need the help of our friends to stand against those who want to harm us.
Ken Joseph Jr.
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