Subj: Zenda (11/6/95) Date: 95-11-14 02:00:38 EST From: zenda@ix.netcom.com (Zenda) To: zenda@ix.netcom.com November 6, 1995 Volume I, Issue 15 ***** ***** * * **** ** * * ** * * * * * * *** * * * * * ****** * * * ** * * * * ***** ***** * * **** * * A Weekly Online Newsletter Serving the Assyrian Communities Around the World ===================================================== THE L I G H T H O U S E ===================================================== What is the vision of the future as perceived by the many Assyrian political organizations? Is it the creation of an independent state of Assyria in the Middle East or is it the establishment of a world-wide non-gevernmental organization? Is it cultural autonomy in a federation of multicultural state of Iraq that they wish to recognize, or is the status quo their hope for the future of Bet-Nahrain? The reality of our time is that our unfocused political wants are bankrupting our limited resources. The "leaderships" of the Assyrian nation are ineffective in effectuating a change. The intellectuals remain disgruntled and our youth apathetic. Yet what seems as an insurmountable problem, has a simple solution: empowerment of the youth, the rich, and the intellectuals. The authoritarian elites, currently running the social and political affairs of the Assyrian nation in diaspora, must allow these three groups to complete the design of a new society. A true vision of the future, as conceived through the informed decision of these three groups, will shine the light of courage and determination upon the faces of our frightened masses and remove the fear of an uncertain tomorrow. ===================================================== G O O D M O R N I N G B E T - N A H R A I N ===================================================== SC (Toronto) Mr. Ninos Betyo, the secretary General of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (Zowaa) and Mr. Salim Toma Kako, the Deputy Minister of Housing and Public Works in Northern Bet Nahrain,have completed their official visit to Canda. In a dinner banquet held in the honor of the ADM representatives over $5,000 were raised to assist the Assyrian needy of northern Bet-Nahrain. Over 350 Assyrians attended the political rally on Sunday October 29 in Toronto. The Assyrian delegation departed Canada on October 31 and continues on touring the Assyrian organizations in Europe. RU (Baghdad) - Iran is contacting the Iraqi rebel groups in an effort to establish a base in northern Bet-Nahrain. At least one brigade of the Iranian-backed Shiite dissidents, formerly stationed along Iraq's southern borders, had moved to the area, currently outside the control of the Baghdad government. The Badr forces, whose strength has been put at about 5,000, consist mainly of refugees and Iraqi POWs. One diplomat said the deployment followed agreement between Jalal Talabani, leader of the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and Mohammed Baqr al-Hakim of the Supreme Council of the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI) during a visit to Tehran last month. Talabani's rival, Massoud Barzani of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP), has been courting Turkey by pursuing Turkish-Kurd guerrillas on his territory. Most Iraqi Kurds are Sunni Muslims who have little or no religious affiliation with Shiite Iranians. An allied air-force based in southern Turkey polices a no-fly zone in northern Bet-Nahrain to guard the area against possible attacks by the Iraqi army. U.S.-brokered talks between the two factions held in Ireland in September failed to reach an agreement RU (Ankara) - At least 30 people, including four children, died Tuesday when a bomb exploded in northern Bet-Nahrain. Four houses near the security office were destroyed in the blast. Iraqi Kurds have blamed agents of Baghdad. One of the worst bombings in northern Iraq took place last February when at least 73 people died after a car bomb exploded on a busy commercial street in Zakho, controlled by the KDP. There were no Assyrian casualties in last week's bombing. ===================================================== S U R F S U P ! ===================================================== "I just wanted to say thank you for sending me the online newsletter. I hope to enjoy and learn from all the future online newsletters." -MUNA YACOUB, Chicago "I have really enjoyed your newsletter. I believe that what you and many others like you are attempting to do, is very commendable. I believe that the in- formation superhighway is just what the doctor ordered, for the Assyrian people. I believe this is a great tool to use to unite our people..." -Joseph Agassi, California "The last time that I sat down and addressed a letter to an Assyrian body was almost one year ago, when I first moved to San Jose and mailed in my membership application and dues. Unfortunately, it is with great regret and disappointment that I am addressing this body [the Assyrian American Association of San Jose] once again. Upon receiving the flyer for last week's Halloween party, I was appalled to read "Due to limited space please bring Assyrian guests only" as a condition for attendance. I understand that as a community, it is important for us to hold onto our culture, heritage and language. But does the AAA of San Jose honestly believe that hosting non-Assyrians at their parties, parties that play American, Persian, Assyrian and Latin dance music, will contribute to the fall of Ashur and the demise of the Assyrian population??? To find this sort of men- tality among educated people is quite simply ludicrous, shocking, and above all, saddening. It is only by welcoming non-Assyrian guests at our functions that we will be able to present ourselves as a nation united and proud, rather than closed- minded and threatened. We live in a country where we are a minority, where we will undoubtedly cultivate friendships with non-Assyrians. If I choose to bring my non-Assyrian friend as a guest into my community, it isbecause I am proud of my heritage. Out of respect for me and my judgment ,my community should embrace rather than shun my guest. Is it fair for me to be ostracized from my people because I have friends and associates in non-Assyrian circles that I want to be exposed to and/or included in the Assyrian society? What happens if one marries a non-Assyrian? Will their spouse be allowed to par- ticipate in the dance party? Ultimatums which stem from ignorance will only drive our youth further away from their people. Ultimately, it will be the Assyrian community that will falter if it does not alter its rationale. My friends, we are living, working and paying taxes in a non-Assyrian world. By not allowing Assyrians the right to share their culture, whether it be a Nisibin party, Club picnic or Convention banquet, we are forcing their hand and pushing them away towards other ethnicities. Other cultures bring in theoutsider and integrate them into the community, thereby strengthening their core with new ideas as well as securing that one member of the clan from being led astray. Can we say the same? Please examine the broader picture here: we are preaching cultural unity and oneness by having "Assyrian Guests Only" parties that play maybe five Assyrian songs the entire night, a night that more often than not ends in a fight, verbal and/or physical, involving the same proponents of the "Assyrian Guests Only" policy. It is simply not logical to the educated mind. Cooperation among fellow Assyrian organizations. Stronger ties within and among the churches. Coor- dinated sporting events. Educational programs. Scholarship funds. Goodwill and respect towards one another. THESE sorts of happenings will contribute to the rise of Ashur and preservation of our legacy. Our ancestors learned and absorbed from their neighbors in order to strengthen their empire. In turn, we must continue to strive for intellectual excellence...for it is in knowledge that lies the power to become a nation united." -Alina Sargiss, California ===================================================== N E W S D I G E S T ===================================================== THE ASSYRIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE CONVENTION IN CHICAGO ZN (Chicago) The Assyrian Chamber of Commerce will hold its 5th Annual Assyrian Business Convention from November 23 through 25 at the O'Hare Expo Center in Chicago. Bazaar Tables will be available for merchants and individuals to display and/or sell their products. For further information contact Mr. Edward Ishaya at 312-743-2258. For hotel room reservation, call 1-708-696-1234. All entertainment programs will begin at 8 PM at the O'Hare Expo Center - East Ballroom. For general information call 312-463-9000 or write to: Assyrian Chamber of Commerce 6310 N. Lincoln, Suite 20 Chicago, IL 60659 ASSYRIAN GIRL KIDNAPPED IN TEHRAN ZN (Tehran) Based on unconfirmed reports, last week an Assyrian girl may have been kidnapped in Tehran. No information on the identity of this individual was received at press time. The authorities have not ruled out the possibility of a deliberate escape from home. ANCIENT TEMPLE FOUND IN SYRIA AP (DAMASCUS) One of the oldest temples found in Syria has been unearthed in the northeastern part of the country. The temple, dating from 4,000 to 3,000 B.C., was discovered by a Russian archaeological expedition at Tel Khazna in the country's northeast corner. It consists of a number of chambers topped by a 25-foot- high tower. A cemetery dating from around 3,000 B.C. was found in one of the chambers, along with three implements and a number of ornamental tools. ===================================================== D I R E C T O R Y OF THE N E W S S O U R C E S ===================================================== AA (AAA of San Jose Newsletter) AP (Associate Press) EB (e.Babylon BBS): 1-209-668-1827 Hollister, California JS (Journal of the Assyrian Academic Society) P.O. Box 4102 Des Plaines, Illinois 60016-4102 NQ (Nebu Quarterly) P.O. Box 59422, Chicago Illinois 60659 RU (Reuters) SC (soc.culture.assyrian) WS (The Wall Street Journal) ZN (Zenda Reporters): zenda@ix.netcom.com Toronto, Germany, Chicago, Los Angeles, & San Jose ===================================================== C A L E N D A R OF E V E N T S ===================================================== -----------------1 9 9 5------------------- Sept 8-Dec 31 "Nineveh 612 BC: A Public Exhibition of Assyrian Art and Artifacts" Finnish Science Center, Heureha (northern part of the Helsinki metrop. area) Oct 1-Feb 4 Exhibition: Assyrian Art & History Kimball Art Museum Fort Worth, Texas (817) 332-8451 Nov 12 "Exhortation and an Assyrian Self-examination" A lecture by Mr. Zomaya S. Solomon Assyrian Social club 6313 N. Pulaski Avenue Chicago, IL Nov 23-28 November 23, 95 -23- Exhibit/Bazaar O'Hare Expo Center 6 PM - 1 AM Babylon Night O'Hare Expo Center - East Ballroom - 8 PM Admission: $7.00 -24- Exhibit/Bazaar O'Hare Expo Center 6 PM - 1 AM Nineveh Night O'Hare Expo Center - East Ballroom - 8 PM Admission: $12.00 -25- ACC General Body Meeting Hyatt Hotel 11-2 PM Lecture (TBA) Hyatt Hotel - 2 PM Exhibit/Bazaar O'Hare Expo Center - 6 PM - 1 AM Assyrian Business Ball O'Hare Expo Center - East Ballroom - 8 PM Admission: $15.00 FEATURED ENTERTAINERS Evan Aghassi Linda George Charles Tooma Melis Ishaya Fatin Shabo Wisam Zaia Oleen Rehana ...special appearance by Walid Nov 28 The Simmons Family Lecture Series at the Gindi Auditorium University of Judaism 15600 Mulholland Dr Los Angeles. "The West Semitic Alphabet and the Spread of Civilization" by Dr. Dennis Pardee of University of Chicago Dec 5 The Simmons Family Lecture Series "King of the Four Quarters of the Earth: Art, Power and Politics in the Assyrian Empire" by Dr. John Russell of Columbia University June 9-11 (1996) The ARAM Conference Harvard University Cambridge, Massachusetts U.S. ----------------------------------------------------- ENTERTAINMENT ----------------------------------------------------- Dec 31 New Year's Eve Party Westin Hotel San Jose, California Entertainment: Ogen ----------------------------------------------------- MEETINGS ----------------------------------------------------- Thursdays Assyrian Educational & Cultural Club at Modesto Junior College 1:00 pm Founders Hall 125. Nov 10 National Executive Committee Meeting Assyrian American National Federation Chicago, Illinois ----------------------------------------------------- CLASSES ----------------------------------------------------- Mondays Assyrian Discussion Group BETA: AAA of San Jose 8:00-9:30 pm Topics A History of the ASYN Language (11/6) ----------------------------------------------------- SPORTS ----------------------------------------------------- Tuesdays Boys Soccer Practice South Valley Christian School Corner of Blossom and Shawnee San Jose, California 5-6:30 pm Sundays Boys/Girls Volleyball Campbell Community Center Camden & Union Campbell, California 6-9 pm ===================================================== A S S Y R I A N S U R F I N G P O S T S ===================================================== Ancient Mesopotamia http://sipparorinst.uchicago.edu/OI/DEPT/RA/ABZ U/ABZU_REGINDX_MESO.HTML Assyria On-Line http://www.cs.toronto.edu/~jatou/./ Assyrian Youth Association of Sweden http://www.cs.umu.se/~dprhi/assyr/assyr.html Corpus Neo Assyrian Project: Helsinki, Finland http://www.helsinki.fi/science/saa/cna.html e.BABYLON http://www.garlic.com/~agabrial/babylon.htm Journal of the Assyrian Academic Society http://www.garlic.com/~agabrial/jaas.htm "Newsgroup" soc.culture.assyrian Nineveh Kids Homepage http://www.garlic.com/~agabrial/kidsweb.htm Syriac Comp Inst http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/gk105/syrcom/ ===================================================== P U M P U P T H E V O L U M E ===================================================== ENGLISH ASSYRIAN PRONUNCIATION with Examples Weariness "sghadta" Tired, to be "sharsheta" Boredom "mal-iyoota" -boring: maalya,maalta (fem.) kma ktava maalya! aha hamzamta eela raabaa maalta. ===================================================== B A C K TO THE F U T U R E ===================================================== B.C.(2250) The city of Ebla in Syria is destroyed by fire, presumably in an Akkadian attack. The palace and temples of the city of Mari, also in the present day Syria, show evidence of similar destruction at about the same time. A.D.(1975) Italian archeologists identify Tell Mardikh in Syria's northwestern plains as the ancient city of Ebla. The discovery established Syria as an important arena of ancient history. Thousands of clay tablets written in Eblaite, an early Semitic language, were uncovered. ===================================================== W E L C O M E T O Z E N D A ===================================================== Zenda welcomes our new on-line subscribers from: [CORPORATE ACCOUNTS] Environmental Protection Agency [UNIVERSITY ACCOUNTS] California State University, Stanislaus [INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNTS] Chicago (2) ===================================================== A C K N O W L E D G E M E N T S ===================================================== Zenda wishes to thank the following individuals: Pauline Jasim Chicago, Illinois Samir Khamis Detroit, Michigan Please limit your letters to no more than three short paragraphs. ZENDA will continue to print your comments and suggestions free of editing, as they were received in our mailbox. All letters will be printed in our PUMP UP THE VOLUME section unless directed otherwise. ----------------------------------------------------- Our Next Issue will appear on Monday, November 13, 1995. ----------------------------------------------------- ----------------------- Headers -------------------------------- From zenda@ix.netcom.com Tue Nov 14 02:01:14 1995 Return-Path: zenda@ix.netcom.com Received: from ix.ix.netcom.com (ix.ix.netcom.com [199.182.120.2]) by emin09.mail.aol.com (8.6.12/8.6.12) with ESMTP id CAA14027; Tue, 14 Nov 1995 02:01:13 -0500 Received: from ix-sj36-13.ix.netcom.com by ix.ix.netcom.com (8.6.12/SMI-4.1/Netcom) id WAA11808; Mon, 13 Nov 1995 22:59:05 -0800 Message-Id: <199511140659.WAA11808@ix.ix.netcom.com> X-Sender: zenda@ix.netcom.com (Unverified) X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Date: Mon, 13 Nov 1995 22:59:07 -0600 To: zenda@ix.netcom.com From: Zenda Subject: Zenda (11/6/95)