News From…

Congressman Dennis Cardoza
18th Congressional District of California

	Cardoza introduces resolution expressing concern for Assyrians in post-war iraq
	Lawmaker Urges President to Support Official Recognition of Assyrians in Iraqi Government

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 13, 2003

CONTACT: Bret Ladine
(202) 225-6131

WASHINGTON – Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Merced, introduced a resolution this week expressing concern for the status of Assyrians in post-war Iraq in an effort to draw attention to the plight of the two million Assyrians who were oppressed and not officially recognized under the regime of Saddam Hussein.

Cardoza, along with the resolution’s broad list of bipartisan original co-sponsors, also sent a letter today to President Bush, encouraging official recognition of the Assyrian community in the new Iraq government.

"Assyrians deserve to have a voice in shaping the future of Iraq – something they have been denied for decades," Cardoza said. "Assyrians paid a heavy price under Saddam Hussein. Not giving them adequate representation in the new government would be a grave injustice."

The resolution introduced Thursday by Cardoza calls for Assyrians to be entitled to freedom of religion, with the right to celebrate their culture, and supports consultation with Assyrian leaders in discussions regarding the future government of Iraq.

Specifically, the resolution urges President Bush to instruct the Secretary of State and Ambassador to the United Nations to work to ensure that the rights and concerns of Assyrians are upheld in ongoing debates over the new government in Iraq.

"I heartily commend Congressman Cardoza for his commitment, compassion and concerted efforts to support the Iraqi-Assyrian minority in their rightful quest for inclusion in the ‘new Iraq,’" said Lazar Piro, President of the Assyrian National Council of Stanislaus County.

The 18^th Congressional District contains one of the largest Assyrian populations in the United States. The Assyrians are a distinct, indigenous people of Mesopotamia. Under Saddam Hussein, Assyrians were referred to simply as "Christian Arabs." They opposed the Hussein regime, and as a result, many Assyrian leaders were assassinated.

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June 13, 2003

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As debate over the future of post-war Iraq begins, we strongly encourage official recognition of the Assyrian community in the new Iraqi government. To accomplish this goal, we encourage you to include representatives of the Iraqi Assyrian community -- one of the most significant minority groups in Iraq -- to participate in meetings regarding the structure and composition of the new government.

The Assyrian community, including Chaldeans and Syriacs, are a distinct, indigenous people of Mesopotamia, but were not officially recognized under the regime of Iraq’s Saddam Hussein. Instead, the Iraqi constitution recognized Arabs and Kurds and referred to Assyrians as "Christian Arabs." Since approximately 2 million Assyrians are living in Iraq, we believe it is critically important for the future government in Iraq to recognize the Assyrian people, who made great sacrifices to oppose the regime of Saddam Hussein.

For many years, the Iraqi regime oppressed the Assyrian people in their attempts to obtain greater freedom and recognition. In Iraq, they were restricted from cultural, linguistic, and religious expression. Despite their oppression, the Assyrians were essential partners in the Iraqi opposition movement, but paid dearly in the assassination of many political leaders.

As the new government begins to take shape, we believe it is essential that the Assyrian people have a voice in the future of Iraq. We appreciate your attention to this matter and we look forward to hearing from you in the near future.

Sincerely,

Dennis A. Cardoza Anna G. Eshoo