arcan_dohuk wrote:assyrians are eduated arabs as they like to be refered. tarik aziz was an assyrian. i've heard SOME assyraisn praise saddam for gassing and suppressing kurds for our traitory. i know not all of them were bad and we shouldnt get paranoid but we must also never forget those who stood by us and fought and those who did nothing. Assyrians were quiet and peaceful all these years but now, with saddam out of the picture, they've suddenly gained a voice.
Ouch Arcan, that's a bit harsh... did you have one particular Assyrian in mind when you wrote that
We mustn't forget that Assyrians are indigenous to the region and suffered greatly under the Baathist regime, just like the Kurds.
For sure, there were those who sided with evil, but on the whole Assyrians despise Saddams government and Aziz is not your typical example of a 'normal' Assyrian.
I'd have to agree that they have certainly become more vocal now the threat of Saddam has been removed, but it is only right that they are heard and have a voice in the region. I think the KRGs policies are of support and preservation and I hope they stand by their words. The Kurds know how it is to be the oppressed minority, God forbid they treat others the same way and I don't believe they do.
As for Assyrians hating Kurds, sure they do, they hate the fact that the Kurds participated in their genocide alongisde the Turks, they hate the fact that Kurds are claiming what was originally Assyrian land as part of Kurdistan and more recently, they claim they were stopped from participating in the elections... they have genuine complaints that need to be acknowledged.
That said, I'm sure with dialogue and support, the Assyrians and the Kurds can work together in the region and build a nation, a great, multi-cultural nation where everyone can speak their language and practice their religion freely, educate their children and enjoy their diverse cultures, all without fear of death
