Subj: ZENDA I (Vol II,#47 ; 1/13/97) Date: 97-01-14 04:40:34 EST From: zenda@ix.netcom.com (ZENDA) To: zenda@ix.netcom.com Kanoon (II) 13, 6746 January 13, 1997 zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz zz z zzzzzzzzz z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z zzzzzzz z z z z z zzzzzzz z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z z zzzzzzzz zzzzzzzz z zz zzzzzzz z z Volume II, Issue 47 A Weekly Online Publication of ZENDA Assyrian Newsagency -Section 1 of 2- =========================================================================== T H I S W E E K I N Z E N D A =========================================================================== -Section One- The Lighthouse...................... The Thorn Killer Good Morning Bet-Nahrain............ Kurdish Talks in Ankara Surfs Up............................ "Wow, how Romantic!" Surfers Corner...................... Just A Reminder News Digest......................... Vatican Meets Velayati Assyrian Chaldean Patriarch's Visits Elections of the AAA of San Jose Publisher of ZENDA Quits Federation News Bits........................... Clinton: "Saddam Still a Threat." War Crime Tribunals For Saddam? Kurdish Talks in Ankara Petty Theft in Canada Rev. Semez' New Address -Section Two- Calendar of Events.................. Jan 15: Gertrude Bell Jan 18: NEC Meeting Entracte............................ No New Entries Intelligentsia...................... Classes, Lectures & Meetings Assyrian Surfing Posts.............. AAA of San Jose Pump up the Volume.................. One & Unique Back to the Future.................. Nabonidus in Lebanon House of Wisdom Literatus........................... Brown Sister This Week in History................ William Ibrahimi Bravo............................... David Yonan The Directory....................... News Sources Bshena.............................. Europe and the U.S. Salute.............................. Albert, Ninos, Firas, and Ashur =========================================================================== THE L I G H T H O U S E =========================================================================== WHEN MADAME DE STAEL WAS TOLD BY NAPOLEON THAT IT WAS NOT FITTING FOR A WOMAN TO TAKE AN INTEREST IN POLITICS, SHE IMMEDIATELY RETORTED, "IN A COUNTRY WHERE WOMEN HAVE BEEN DECAPITATED, IT IS ONLY NATURAL FOR OTHER WOMEN TO ASK "WHY?" WE DEDICATE THIS WEEK'S ISSUE TO A VERY IMPORTANT SOCIAL STRUGGLE TAKING PLACE IN EVERY ASSYRIAN HOUSEHOLD, ORGANIZATION, CHURCH, AND COMMUNITY: EQUAL LEADERSHIP AND SOCIAL STATUS FOR THE ASSYRIAN WOMAN AS THAT WHICH IS TRADITIONALLY SECURED BY AND FOR ASSYRIAN MEN, REGARDLESS OF ETHNICITY AND RELIGION. THE THORN KILLER 1919 A Literal Translation of a old Assyrian Tale A man wanted to exhibit his strength and manliness to his wife, that she might fear him. Each day when the sun set he put on his clothes and strapped on his dagger and went to the field; everywhere he found thorns he cut them down with his dagger. Then he came home: "Wife, do you know what happened? Tonight I have killed many men. Look, I have told you, but you are to tell no one! Thus every day he went to the field and came home and boasted before his wife: "I have killed several men." One day it came into his wife's head, she pondered in her mind: "If indeed every day my husband kills several men, all men must disappear from this world; what to do?" After her husband, as was his custom, had gone to the field, she also put on men's clothes and followed behind her husband, though with great care that he did not see her. Then her husband reached a place where there were many thorns, took his dagger, and began to cut down the thorns. So the woman recognized the wits and power of her husband. She too took the dagger and fell upon her husband. He began to flee with great fear before this strong man. Then the woman came, before he arrived home, took off her clothes. Then came her husband filled with fear and trembling: "Wife, do you know what happened?" "No, man." "Ah, don't make a sound, God delivered me this night." "How, tell me once, I'll see!" "You know, tonight a battle took place, I took my dagger and struck some ringleaders. Suddenly I saw, but what!" A strong youth, sword in his hand, fell upon me. I'm telling you pure and simple, but you are to tell on one at all: I could not resist him and began to flee. This brute pursued me all the way here." The woman began to laugh at him. "Ah, so and so are you! I - from my fear my heart has burst, and you, instead of sympathizing, rather laugh at this tale?" The woman answered: "Man, take heart, fear not! This youth who fell upon you was none stronger than me." "Unfortunate, aren't you crazy?" She answered: "I'm not crazy, but you, your mind is weak. I was this youth who pursued you here." From this day on the thornkiller could no longer frighten his wife. <> =========================================================================== G O O D M O R N I N G B E T - N A H R A I N =========================================================================== KURDISH TALKS IN ANKARA (ZNUP: Ankara) Turkish officials say Assistant U.S. Secretary of State Robert Pelletreau has arrived in Ankara for the third round of reconciliation talks between rival Iraqi Kurd rebels. The official says Pelletreau and Turkish Foreign Undersecretary Onus Often planned to moderate the talks, which were to begin Tuesday in Turkey's capital. A Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman says the talks would center on the "demarcation of the cease-fire line" between the two groups. The spokesman says the meeting would also be attended by representatives of the Turk oman minority in northern Iraq and British and Turkish diplomats. No mention of an Assyrian representation from either the Assyrian Democratic Movement or the Bet-Nahrain Democratic Party- Iraq was made in the report. Aides to Jalap Taxability, leader of Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, and Masseur Barbaric, chief of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, say neither would personally attend the talks. But Taxability was expected to arrive Tuesday in Ankara for individual talks with Pelletized and Turkish and British officials. Sam i Abjuration, a member of the KEPT politburo, would represent his group. In October, the two groups agreed on the U.S.-broke red truce. In November, a comprehensive peace accord provided for a joint political leadership aiming for a federal structure that would pose no threat to Iraq's territorial rule. =========================================================================== S U R F S U P ! =========================================================================== "When I saw the article below in today's issue: [Recently a ZENDA reader, planning a short trip to South America, requested the whereabouts of any Assyrian living in Argentina. Two weeks later an Assyrian ZENDA reader from Uruguay contacted our office and provided us with the name and telephone number of an Assyrian residing in Buenos Aires. We are eager to learn about our reader's findings in Argentina which will surely appear in the future issues.] I had asked that same thing about 1 /2 - years ago and never received a reply from anyone. I assumed that there were probably no Assyrians in South America that were subscribed to Zenda at the time, or we didn't really have much information about them. I occasionally travel to Argentina myself and would also like an E-Mail address, of someone down there, or in Uruguay, that wouldn't mind releasing it for the purpose of correspondence and sharing cultural information. Would also be very interested in hearing about the Assyrian community down there. The last time I traveled to Buenos Aires, I was impressed by the fact that the average person knew quite a bit about Assyrians and their culture. I was born and raised in Chicago where there are quite a few Assyrians, but the folks in South America were more knowledgeable about us than the average American is. Perhaps there are many more Assyrians down there than we know about... Something to research. If I can find out anything else on my next trip I'll pass it along. Keep up the good work." Jim Espial Houston, Texas [We urge our readers in South America to respond to Mr. Espial request as was kindly rendered before.] ************** "Please let your readers know there is an Assyrian woman living in Central Florida. I am Grace Yohannan Cotton, daughter of John and Ruby Flunked Yohannan of NJ, the niece of Nahrain and James Yohannan of Turlock, CA, and the granddaughter of the late Hanna h and Abalone Yohannan of NJ. Ben Benjamin's account of his travails in the diaspora deeply touched me, as they paralleled the massacre of my great-grand parents who were Presbyterian ministers in the Lake Urmie area. I am proud to be of Assyrian heritage and applaud Zenda for its online efforts to unite us electronically even if we are physically scattered. If any of your readers know of any other fellow Assyrians in Central Florida, please have them contact me at HCotto1056@able.com. Peace." Grace Yohannan Cotton Florida ************** "Thank you for sending me an issue of Zenda. I would like to become a subscriber to your wonderful publication." Matthew Ward a Hartford, Wisconsin ************** "Wow, How romantic! Did an Assyrian write the article entitled 'a letter for the heart'? What a fresh breath of air! I'm afraid ZENDA at times seems too stuffy with its historical and political messages. Let's ease up a little... Was the article written for an imaginary person? You don't have to reply though. Thanks for your great work bringing us together." A. Shimming California [Wilfred Alkhas, author of "A Letter From the Heart" & the publisher of ZENDA is an Assyrian from San Jose, California. ] ************** =========================================================================== S U R F E R S C O R N E R =========================================================================== JUST A REMINDER... ZENDA is published every Monday and freely distributed through the internet. For more information please send an email to zenda@ix.netcom.com or write: P.O. Box 20278 San Jose, California 95160 U.S.A. Your comments and suggestions are never edited and are published as they are received in our in-box. =========================================================================== N E WE S D I G E S T =========================================================================== VATICAN AND VEGETATING DISCUSS RELIGIOUS FREEDOM IN IRAN (ZNUP: Vatican) A meeting between Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Ak bar Velayati and Vatican Secretary of State Angelo Sodano took place last week. Vatican spokesman Joaquin Navarro-Valls said the two men discussed issues of religious freedom in Iran. Italy has said it will continue to conduct what it calls ``critical dialogue'' with Tehran -- one of Italy's larger trading partners -- because of its strategic role in Middle East affairs. During the two-day visit, Velayati met with Italy's Prime Minister Romano Prodi and Foreign Lamberto Dini. Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran the population of Assyrians has moved from over 250,000 to less than 20,000. AAA of SAN JOSE ELECTION RESULTS (ZNDA: San Jose) On Friday January 10, the Assyrian American Association of San Jose held its bi-annual general elections of the Executive Board. For the fourth time in 15 years, Mr. Sargon Yaldaei was elected as the 1997-99 president of the Association, claiming 55% of all votes cast. The remaining votes were cast for Mr. Ben Samuel who had actively campaigned since last November. Mr. Yaldaei's choice for vice-president was Mrs. Jacqueline Bajan who chaired the 1996 Assyrian State Convention of California in San Jose. All other elected officers of the Association have also served in one or more previous Executive Committees: Sargon Yaldaei President Jacqueline Bajan Vice President Treasurer Carmen Philipovich Secretary Dorina Golpashin Officer Jenny Joseph Officer Arthur Paul In his acceptance speech Mr. Yaldai noted that he will work toward building a more vibrant community, pay off the mortgage loan of the Association's property on 20000 Almaden Road in San Jose, and organize the first World Assyrian Youth Congress. PUBLISHER OF ZENDA BREAKS RANKS WITH THE FEDERATION (ZNDA: San Jose) Last week, Mr. Wilfred Alkhas, publisher of ZENDA, announced that he will not accept Mr. Sargon Lewie's appointment as the Chairman of the Education Committee of the Assyrian American National Federation. The announcement came a two weeks before the next meeting of the National Executive Committee in New Britain, Connecticut, where the new officers of the Federation will be sworn in. In the past, Mr. Lewie, president of the AANF, has suggested that the information provided by ZENDA remains "inaccurate, unreliable, and filled with anti-ZOWAA sentiments." Mr. Alkhas has expressed concern over Mr. Lewie's commitment to funding of the Education Committee in 1997. The Assyrian students who were selected to obtain scholarship in August of last year are yet to receive their awards. Mr. Alkhas has also discontinued teaching Assyrian and language classes and producing the ZENDA TV Show at the Assyrian American Association of San Jose, an affiliate of the Assyrian American National Federation. PATRIARCH OF THE ASSYRIAN CHALDEAN CATHOLIC CHURCH VISITS DETROIT & SAN JOSE (ZNDA: San Jose) On January 5 a lunch banquet was given to honor and welcome His Holiness Mar Rophael I Bidawid, Patriarch of the Assyrian Chaldean Catholic Church and His Excellency Bishop Ibrahim Ibrahim, to St. Mary's Church in San Jose, California. Previously His Holiness had met with Mar Dinkha Shimun, Patriarch of the Assyrian Church of the East in an historical meeting in Detroit, Michigan. The meeting of the two Patriarchs initiated a series of discussions on determining the common ecclesiastical doctrines of the two Assyrian and Chaldean churches whose membership exceeds one million believers in the Middle East. WALLACH LECTURES ON "THE GUARDIAN OF ANTIQUITY" (ZNDA: Chicago) On Wednesday, January 15, the Oriental Institute Members Lecture Series presents Janet Wallach's "Gertrude Bell: Guardian of Antiquity, Builder of Modern Iraq." The lecture will held at 8:00 PM in Breasted Hall of the Oriental Institute in Chicago. Ms. Wallach, a Woodrow Wilson fellow who has recently published Desert Queen (a biography of Gertrude Bell), will also be signing copies of her book. Ms. Wallach's book will be for sale in the lobby of the Oriental Institute. A reception will follow the lecture. The Oriental Institute is located at 1155 E 58th Street in Chicago, Illinois. For more information, please call (773) 702-1677 or email oi-membership@uchicago.edu =========================================================================== N E W S B I T s =========================================================================== (ZNUP) Clinton said Wednesday that in addition to having jets patrol the no- fly zones over Iraq, the United States will continue to maintain a force in the Middle East large enough to deter Saddam. ------------------------------- Iraqi dissidents and Ann Clywd, a British parliamentarian are working to set up a tribunal to conduct trials of Iraqi officials accused of rights abuses and war crimes against the Shiite and Kurdish populations of Iraq. ------------------------------- Iraqi President Saddam Hussein has pledged to pardon until the end of the Muslim holy month all Iraqis who confess to spying for foreign powers. The pardon decree called on spies to "contact directly, or write their confessions and hand them over to the Iraqi military intelligence, the security general or any other Baath Party organization." ------------------------------- A Syrian presidential spokesman said Tuesday President Hafez Assad has undergone ``successful '' surgery on his prostate gland. The spokesman said Assad, in his 60s, will return to work within less than 10 days. ------------------------------- (ZNDA) Mr. Ashur Shamoun's store, Smoke Variety, in Oakville, Canada, was the subject of a mysterious theft. On Wednesday January 8, as Mr. Shamoun's was attending to a customer, his briefcase, in which were his personal belongings was stolen. Mr. Shamoun expressed deep anger and frustration as he narrated his misfortune to our ZENDA news reporter. "My telephone book had all the names of my friends, and associates as well their addresses and telephone numbers world wide." ------------------------------- Rev. Yousif Semez of The Assyrian Church of The East in Ontario wishes to relate the following telephone and address change: 2433 The Collegeway Unit #23 Mississauga, ON L5L-2E6 (905) 820-3338 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -End of Section 1 of 2 ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- From zenda@ix.netcom.com Tue Jan 14 04:39:38 1997 Return-Path: zenda@ix.netcom.com Received: from dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com (dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com [206.214.98.10]) by emin15.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id EAA01480; Tue, 14 Jan 1997 04:39:32 -0500 Received: from 114121 (sjx-ca52-19.ix.netcom.com [206.214.103.211]) by dfw-ix10.ix.netcom.com (8.6.13/8.6.12) with SMTP id XAA20760; Mon, 13 Jan 1997 23:54:26 -0800 Message-Id: <3.0.32.19970113235826.0068a6e0@popd.ix.netcom.com> X-Sender: zenda@popd.ix.netcom.com X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Pro Version 3.0 Demo (32) Date: Tue, 14 Jan 1997 00:04:55 -0800 To: zenda@ix.netcom.com From: ZENDA Subject: ZENDA I (Vol II,#47 ; 1/13/97) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"