PHOTOS BY WILSON SARKIS
PHOTOS BY WILSON SARKIS going forward USAID turns to Chaldeans for assistance BY KEN MARTEN tor of translation services for World Trade Center Detroit/Windsor, called USAID’s bureaucracy a “maze” and criticized its communication efforts. “I’ve initiated two proposals and we were ignored totally,” Danou said. “We’ve never gotten calls back. We understand Iraq. We understand the country and the language. Nobody’s taken advantage of our knowledge.” Fore assured Danou that all possible initiatives will be examined. “We very much like to be sure we’ve dusted off all proposals you’ve sent in that you feel have been ignored,” she said. “Public-private partnerships are the most effective way Left: Henrietta Fore, Joe Knollenberg, Maureen Shaukett and Ramsey Day address the audience. Below: Sam Danou makes a point. to do development around the world.” Michael Youash, project director for Iraq Sustainable Democracy Project, hoped Fore would The situation in Iraq is stabilizing, but Chaldean Americans can do more to help. That was the message on March 31 when Henrietta Fore, administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), met with members of the Chaldean American Chamber of Commerce at a special meeting held at Shenandoah Country Club in West Bloomfield. Nominated by President George Bush in May and confirmed by the U.S. Senate in November, Fore is the first woman to head USAID, which falls under the umbrella of the Department of State. USAID manages foreign assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. More than 75 percent of its staff of 8,000 work overseas in field offices. Congressman Joe Knollenberg (R- Bloomfield Hills) – who the chamber calls an “honorary Chaldean” – introduced Fore to the gathering of community business leaders. “I’m of the belief that Madame Fore doesn’t just come because it’s on the way to someplace else,” Knollenberg said. “She really does care.” Congress recently announced an earmark of million in funding for Iraq’s ethnic and religious minorities who live in the Nineveh Plain. Fore began her presentation by acknowledging the tragic blow to Iraqi Christian leadership. “I have been very deeply saddened to learn of the kidnapping and death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho,” Fore said. “He was a man of deep faith and of great compassion for the poor. He said that the Middle East is striving for a new era of equality of all before God. This new era offers hope for millions across the Middle East.” Fore said USAID has taken a focused approach to address the root causes of instability and provides technical assistance whenever Iraq’s government requests it. To foster a functioning bureaucracy, assistance has included training more than 7,000 Iraqi civil servants – a number Fore hopes will double by 2009. To spark the economy, USAID also guarantees loans that Iraqi banks make to small businesses. The average loan is ,100. “These are just a few examples of progress by the people and government of Iraq with the assistance of USAID,” Fore said. “Access to credit is key to restarting entrepreneurial spirit. When there is inadequate economic activity, there can be fertile ground for terrorism and extremism.” Chaldean Americans can help USAID, Fore said, by pinpointing potential business opportunities and/or individual entrepreneurs. But chamber member Sam Danou, direc- address atrocities in Iraq committed against Christians. He cited nine attacks on Christian institutions in January, including church bombings. “Do you think it’s time we say there’s an ethnic/religious cleansing taking place?” Youash asked. “I think I am speaking safely for everyone: We are being targeted.” Knollenberg stepped in and suggested that Congress would be the avenue better suited to address concerns about ethnic cleansing: “I don’t see any State Department move that would forward your position.” 26 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2008
MAY 2008 CHALDEAN NEWS 27
