The Assyrian Democratic Organization
American Embassy Berlin
Political Section
Mr. John M. Koenig
Neustaedische Kirchstr. 4-5
10117 Berlin
Dear Mr. Koenig,
Berlin – ADO — On February 29, 2008, following a sacred Mass, Mar Paulous Faraj Rahho, our Chaldean Archbishop of Mosul, Iraq was kidnapped and his three companions were murdered by the raid. On March 13, 2008, we received the sad message that His Eminence was found dead close by in Mosul.
The Assyrians (also known as Chaldeans and Syriacs) are the first inhabitants of Assyria (Beth Nahrin – Mesopotamia, Iraq) and are the first nation, who accepted Christianity as a religion. They have preserved an important Christian cultural inheritance. This inheritance is threatened to be completely destroyed now. Christians in Iraq are threatened, pursued, robbed, kidnapped, murdered and driven out. Due to their faith, they are victims of religious fanatics, terrorists and criminal groups. All of this is occurring before the eyes of the International Community without invoking any reaction.
This direful death of our Archbishop Rahho is not the only incident. On the contrary, there are not only anti-Christian motives, which led to this murder, but rather political motives also exerted influence on this murder, so that our people are exterminated in their indigenous homeland.
Our people are greatly affected and despaired by this incident. The fears for their lives and existence as a nation have increased tremendously.
Why are our leading individuals, including both political and religious personalities, murdered? How many victims do we have to endure, so that we are heard by the world?
Due to this heinous murder and the associated increasing insecure situation of our Assyrian people in Iraq, we respectfully appeal to you.
We hope for your support and that you realize and exert your political and moral responsibility to help the suffering Assyrians.
With Christian greetings,
Respectfully Yours,
Sabri Alkan
Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO)
Europe Branch
