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For
Archbishop Louis Sako, things are certainly better
than during Saddam’s times and, where there’s
safety, there’s reconstruction. Christians, who are
generally better off, are not persecuted “as a
group”, but are associated by some with the
Americans.
Milan (AsiaNews) – Iraq’s economy is
recovering, especially in the more secure areas of
the country, areas in which reconstruction has also
begun. But things have “improved slightly” all over
the “new”, post-election Iraq, as was explained to
AsiaNews by Monsignor Louis Sako, Catholic Chaldean-rite
Archbishop of Kirkuk, where the country’s oldest,
and still richest, oil fields are located. The
situation is improving also for Christians, who are
generally better prepared and more resourceful than
their Muslim compatriots, and who “as a group” are
not suffering persecution, Archbishop Sako says,
even if they are sometimes associated, on faith
grounds, with the American invaders.
Currently in Italy for a short visit, Msgr Sako told
AsiaNews that “Iraq is rich not only in petroleum,
but also for its agriculture and tourism potential.
For years, the country had been impoverished by the
regime which had turned Iraq into one big military
barrack. Now, the economy is picking up and all sort
of goods are on the market. During the embargo,
nothing was available. Things have improved also in
terms of salaries. For example, at one time a
university professor earned just 10 dollars a month
and was thus forced to find other ways to make ends
meet, such as selling newspapers, driving a taxi,
and so on. Instead, now, depending on various
factors, he earns somewhere between 700 and 1400
dollars per month.”
How is reconstruction going?
As far as reconstruction is concerned, everything
depends on security, which is lacking in Baghdad,
Mosul and Basra. So, in these cities, reconstruction
is moving ahead slowly or is at a standstill because
people are afraid. Other places, such as Nassiriya
and Samawa, enjoy much more security. Even Kirkuk
has a good level of security and, above all, a lot
of work. North of Kirkuk, in Kurdistan, there is
absolute security. Kirkuk is a bit of an exception
because it is halfway between the Arab and Kurdish
areas and, furthermore, Kirkuk has petroleum.
Security is important. As an example, some Iraqis
who cannot invest in areas lacking security are
going north, to Kurdistan, to build hotels and
factories.
How are things for Christians?
Generally, Christians form an elite group, as a
result of both their professional and educational
qualifications, and their openness to scientific
knowledge. Religious education also plays a role in
all this, in terms of an open worldview and
Christian conceptions of family. As a result, they
generally are better off. Most Christians have a
post-secondary education: many are doctors,
engineers, retailers, technicians and, now also
interpreters. The reason is that, by nature, a
Christian strives to improve his lot, both
spiritually, as well as in social and economic
terms. Instead, for Muslim, everything is
predestined by Allah.
Is there any kind of direct or indirect
persecution against Christians?
There is no direct form of persecution against
Christians as a group. Being, however, a minority,
when there is some incident involving a Christian,
the word gets around quickly. For instance, if a
Christian is kidnapped, the news spreads immediately
and causes fear. Instead, the abduction of a Muslim
does not cause a stir: it’s considered almost a
normal occurrence. The same applies to acts of
terrorism. In relation to attacks against Christian
churches, when terrorists attacked Kerbala and Najaf,
holy cities for Islam, hundreds of Muslims were
killed. In comparison, Muslim victims have far
outnumbered Christian ones.
There is a kind of indirect persecution on the part
of some who associate Iraqi Christians with the
Americans. This is due to both the penetration of
Islamic extremists and economic reasons. In fact,
Christians are richer on average. Furthermore, it is
easier to kidnap a Christian since, unlike Muslims,
they have no tribal context to protect them. This is
why, when a Christian is kidnapped, a ransom is
paid, whereas Muslims have a card to play through
tribal retaliation. Nevertheless, many Muslims are
kidnapped: not, however, by members of the
resistance, but by well organized criminal groups
who aim only at making money.
What prospects do you see for the post-election
period?
Things have changed, and have slightly improved,
since the elections. A new Iraq was born, but it’s
still an infant facing many risks and challenges. It
needs help to grow. This is a task for the entire
international community and in particular Arab
states because, for better or for worse, what goes
on in Iraq has an impact on the rest of the region
and because generally Iraq has a role to play as an
example for the rest of the Middle East. Personally,
I think this impact is already playing out and I’m
referring to Lebanon and Egypt, to elections in
Saudi Arabia and more. I think Iraq’s future will be
much better. I think democracy and pluralism will
develop in an Iraq where everyone will be able to
freely find fulfillment. In my opinion, compared to
other countries in the region, Iraq will be able to
experience great growth and a very sound economy,
given the resources it has. Many Iraqi who
expatriated will return to invest their money.
Therefore, there is room for even private
entities in Iraq’s reconstruction?
Investment is open to everyone, unlike before when
everything was planned by the state. Daily life,
from an economic point of view, has gone back to
normal.
http://www.asianews.it
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