Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Baghdad (Fides Service.)- “We hoped that the international community would have more courage. At this hour of greatest need the UN has decided not to intervene” . This was the reaction of Father Nizar Semaan, a Catholic priest from Karakosh, in northern Iraq, to the decision taken by the Secretary General of the United Nations’ Organisation not to send UN personnel back to the Middle East country for the time being. “I understand the legitimate concern for the safety of the UN workers but Iraqi people are citizens of the world and in a sense they are part of the UN ” Father Nizar told Fides.
“The international community must realise that this is a war against the people of Iraq. Most of the people killed in the violence over recent weeks have been Iraqi civilians. This is why I think that the terrorists responsible for these crimes come from outside the country” Father Nizar told Fides. “Their aim is clearly to prevent Iraq from finding peace and stability. The plan is probable regional. If democracy wins in Iraq, in fact other countries in the region would be under great pressure to open to democracy. I am certain that once we have a democratic Iraq, the other peoples of the Middle East will demand more freedom and democracy from their governments”.
“Another factor which would point to the involvement of non national elements from various other countries is the cease fire called about two weeks ago by the Iraqi armed organisations. These armed groups appear to have decided to integrate with Iraq’s new security forces and to create new political balances. Therefore these organisations would not want to de-stabilise the country. Not by chance the attacks over recent days have been mainly in Baghdad. If they succeed in creating chaos in the capital, this will affect the stability of the whole country” Father Nizar said.
There are rumours that Christians are leaving Iraq, but according to Father Nizar “it is mainly a question of Christians making a temporary move out of Baghdad to their villages where they feel safer. I am sure they will come back once order is restored because most of them have work and businesses in the capital. I have not heard of large numbers of Christians leaving the country. On the contrary in Christian villages in the north children are about to start Summer Catechism classes”.
“For example in Karakosh village where I come from, every day for 2 to 3 hours 150 catechism teachers give instruction to 3,000 children. And I would like to voice our gratitude to the Milan Cathedral parish community which is funding this programme” Father Nizar concludes. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/6/2004 righe 37 parole 461)
