ONE-on-ONE iraq’s
ONE-on-ONE iraq’s duraid h. tobiya zoma: ‘the situation is not normal’ Dr. Duraid H. Tobiya Zoma is a political consultant for minority affairs of Nineveh Governor in Iraq. He was in Michigan last month; Co-publisher and Editor in Chief Vanessa Denha Garmo sat down with him at Shenandoah following a luncheon with Ambassador Peter Bodde of the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. CN: What is your role in Iraq? Dr. Zoma: I am the assistant to the elected official in the Nineveh Province and have been for the past two months. CN: What did you do prior? DZ: I am a veterinarian doctor. I was the head of a veterinarian hospital in Mosul. And, I am a Chaldean from Telkaif. CN: Why did you take this particular position with the government? DZ: I am still a doctor. I was appointed for the position because I am a member of the Assyrian Democratic Movement under Younadem Kanna. I am on the central committee. I was nominated for this position and I accepted it. CN: What is the climate of the Nineveh Plains today? DZ: The situation is not as good as it should be. I have hope that things will improve, especially if there is Duraid H. Tobiya Zoma success in forming a new province for the minorities. The Nineveh province stretches from north of Mosul to Alquosh and includes about 11 Christian towns and villages. There are also other minority groups who live in this region. CN: This is not new. They have been talking about it for a while. What are the chances of it actually happening? DZ: It is not going to be an easy process. It is going to be difficult and will require time. There is a possibility of establishing five new provinces in Iraq and if that happens the new province for minorities will more likely become possible. It will be easier for us. If this process forming of additional provinces does not take place, it will be more difficult for us. CN: Is it dependent on the U.S. government’s support? DZ: The hope is for the American administration to put pressure on the Iraqi government to bring about this but so far, I do not think they have. We hope they can bring pressure. CN: Are you hoping Chaldeans in the U.S. will help with putting pressure on the U.S. administration to help with this project? DZ: I think it is possible for this to happen if everyone works together and pushes the agenda with the American legislators. This is one of the issues we are addressing with Ambassador Bodde. Read more about the situation in Iraq, including Ambassador Peter Bodde’s visit to Shenandoah, at our website, www.ChaldeanNews.com. CN: Ambassador Bodde made it clear that it is not the U.S. government’s responsibility to make the Nineveh Plains project a reality and that is it up to the people to make that happen. DZ: The minorities are deciding the issue themselves but sometimes we need to ask the U.S. government for help, regarding technical issues only. CN: Do you feel confident that they can help you? DZ: We hope they can. CN: There is talk about building a faith-based hospital and faith-based schools in the Nineveh Plains. Do you believe that is possible? DZ: We have started building a university in the Nineveh Province and other areas. We have six Christian schools in Mosul. CN: Is it going to take U.S. help to make all this happen? DZ: We need U.S. support. The situation in Iraq is not normal. We think the U.S. can help in influencing the Iraqi administration. C&J Parking Lot Sweeping, Inc. www.cjsweep.com Call for a FREE Estimate 1-888-LOT-SWEEP Office Buildings Shopping Centers Apartment Complexes Construction Sites Catch Basin Repair Asphalt Millings Striping Pot Hole Repair Line Jetting Gum Removal “Over 25 years of Service” 2200 E. Ten Mile Road, • Warren, Michigan 48091 P: (586) 759-3668 • Fax: (586) 759-0858 Airport Transportation Services & More… NOW ACCEPTING Hours 24/7 Clean, comfortable SUV/Vans Your Vacation Should Start With Us! Worry-Free & Friendly Service Steve 248-790-5181 Also available for: • Doctor Visits • Shopping •Casino • Let Us Be Your Designated Driver • 10-Passenger Van Available (Surcharge Fee Applies) • Handicap Van Available (hourly + mileage rates) LICENSED & INSURED NEW CLIENT SPECIAL $ 10 OFF Roundtrip Transfer (Metro or Flint Bishop) With coupon • Expires 8/31/11 METRO AIRPORT FEE SCHEDULE W. Bloomfield Farmington Novi/Southfield Walled Lake Franklin Bloomfield Birmingham Commerce Waterford $ 60 $ 70 34 CHALDEAN NEWS MAY 2011
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