Editorial...

While working on a paper entitled "Prospects of Democratization in Iraq" I met with the eminent political scientist Alexander George.  We were attending a University of California at Irvine's Global Peace and Conflict Studies seminar.  One year earlier Iraq had invaded Kuwait and the UN Security Council had passed several resolutions that initially imposed economic sanctions followed by the use of military force.  In political science this policy is called "coercive diplomacy", a term coined by Dr. George referring to a defensive strategy to persuade an opponent, in this case Saddam Hussein, to stop an aggressive action.  In the case of Saddam coercive diplomacy failed and the U.S.-led coalition resorted to a full-scale war.  As Dr. George and I were comparing coercive diplomacy during the Cuban missile crisis and the Gulf War, the noted political scientist asked me about the origin of my accent (a mixture of Urmezhnaye Assyrian and American-English).  I stopped for a second and then replied, "I'm Assyrian."  He smiled and quickly reacted, "So am I!"  First, I thought he was using this statement to illustrate a point in our discussion.  "My last name is really Givargis" he continued.  "My parents changed it when they emigrated from Iran.  I have not kept in touch with Assyrians for a very long time though.  What I really miss is my mom's Assyrian cooking."  I was speechless.  Is this really Dr. George, the author of the many revered books in political science, discussing Dolma and Booshala.  I found out that his parents were Maryam and John George from the village of Degala in Urmie, Iran.  In 1968 he was appointed to the Department of Political Science at Stanford University and had lately been working in Washington D.C.   I could not contain my sense of pride and happiness any longer and explained to my colleagues that Dr. George is Assyrian- as I am too.  This year the National Academy of Sciences has recognized Dr. George for his contributions to science and prevention of nuclear war (See BRAVO).  Alexander George remains a source of pride and inspiration for all Assyrians.

Wilfred Alkhas
ZENDA

Most of our troubles in life stem from the crippling habit of neglect.  A student who fails to attend to his scholastic duties will, more often than not, fall into trouble in the long run.  Parents are inviting disappointments when the domestic duties and obligations are slighted.  A society is bound to collapse if and when discipline, order and understanding are remiss.  The human soul will gradually degenerate and suffer perdition through lack of spiritual nourishment.  As Professor H. Drumond put it, "Where is a sharper arrow than the sting of unmerited neglect?"  The social posture of our time observed from the vantage point of higher education, dictates that a spirit of grave concern be exercised in our ethnic relationships.

Neglect is the forerunner of forgetfulness, which I aver has its advantages at times, but highly and usually pernicious (hurtful).  It would be futile to brood bemoaningly over past, sad experiences.  Under the circumstances the best thing would be "Forget It" before anguish and nervous breakdown set in.  Their constant recollection will neither mend the grief nor wipe away tears.  On the other hand, there are events and episodes which should be remembered always lest their corrective significance vanish.  One reason why I enjoy studying Assyrian history is because it reflects past incidents, good or bad.  The good make me feel elated and proud of the accomplishments of our forefathers.  The bad sides are lessons to ponder upon and learn not to repeat the blunders they committed, mistakes which we had to pay dearly for generations.  Those are the things and scenes which should grasp our attention, like dusky mountains when twilight chases the day, even though they are lost to sight in the mist of time...

The precious experience of meeting our fellow Assyrians face to face in their respective homelands, has convinced us beyond doubt that their needs and desires, their ambitions and aspirations were very much like ours, if not more ardent, and yet not so easily attainable as with us.  Let us eagerly examine our past, seriously study the present, and hopefully visualize the future with the idea of reinforcing the foundation of our ethnic structure.  It is important that this structure be built on a solid and firm basis lest the mad winds of the times disfigure its entire architecture.  Having survived the scythe of time, the Assyrians rightfully deserve credit and recognition for their perseverance in Faith, for their intrepid and iron will to live on, and for their unsurpassed loyalty everywhere.  But credit and recognition call for a universal higher standard of unalienating, snob free education in professions and the fine arts, with training for the less fortunate in the crafts, technical arts and trades, and equally important, in maintaining a high code of citizenship to the admiration of the whole world.

Truly the Assyrians have the essence and the potential for greater things in life, but those ideals must be pursued steadfastly and in eanest, otherwise we will be fluttering around aimlessly like the extinct Dodo bird.  Let us remember that our heritage and history provide the foundation for greatness.  They are to be revered and not blasphemed.  The future will come to naught if the strength and success of the past and the future are ignored.  However, as Winston Churchill remarked, "It is a mistake to look too far ahead.  Only one link in the chain of destiny can be handled."

Neglect not, Forget not, Regret not when comes the dawn.

Malcolm L. Karam
Chicago, Illinois

Mr. Karam is a former President of the Assyrian American National Federation and the former Editor-in-Chief of the Assyrian Star Magazine.

(ZNUP:  New York) The U.N. Security Council unanimously voted to extend the $2 billion Iraqi oil-for-food program for six months and to re-examine the humanitarian plan.  Secretary General Kofi Annan called for streamlining the program with an eye to efficiency and promised a report on it at the end of January.  The resolution does not immediately increase the amount of oil Iraq can sell to buy humanitarian goods, but it leaves the window open for that if Annan's review warrants it.  It also gives Baghdad a month to come up with a revamped distribution plan.  The resolution took effect at 12:01 a.m. EST Friday.

(ZNAF:  Ankara)  Turkish troops advanced yesterday along the frontier of the mountainous Khaqurk region in northern Iraq, in their offensive against separatist Turkish Kurd rebel bases there.  The ground and air offensive, the third such large-scale military operation since May, was launched late Thursday in a bid to wipe out bases of the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), concentrated in the Khaqurk region.  The PKK had apparently reinfiltrated the region in recent weeks and was in the process of setting up camps for the winter in preparation for attacks on Turkish targets.  Armored battalions of Turkish troops pushed along the Khaqurk frontier, wedged between Turkey and Iraq, after infiltrating.  Iraqi territory Friday from south-eastern Turkey.  The incursion drew Iraqi and Iranian condemnation, despite Ankara's assurances that it respects Iraq's territorial integrity and that the troops will return after completing the anti-PKK operations.  Nearly 20,000 troops were involved in the operation and were being backed by 8,000 members of the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP).  KDP troops had discovered three caves in the Pirbela region full of food supplies, medication, arms and ammunition, abandoned by PKK fighters.  The region of Khaqurk is one of the zones currently controlled by the Iraqi Kurd Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), the party which Ankara claims is sheltering and collaborating with PKK activists.  Inside Turkey, more than 27,000 people have been killed in PKK-related violence in southeastern areas neighboring northern Iraq since 1984 when the separatists launched their armed campaign.  The Turkish army also cooperated with the KDP in fighting a rival Iraqi Kurd group, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK),  in violent clashes in October and November. But this fighting came to an end late last month.

"Please kindly note that my email address has changed...So, please ensure that I am not deprived of the weekly dose of your
wonderful publication, Zenda, whose sparks ignite the emotions of many across this vast world of ours."

Bellos Nisan
California

Karmela, received her brother's bone marrow close to 3 weeks ago, and after going through a torturous fight, last Sunday she came out victorious.  Overnight her blood count started rising and she was moved from incentive care, returned to her room and this week, hopefully she will be sent home.

Her battle hasn't ended yet, but we are at point where we can gladly open the champaign bottles and drink to the health of our sister Karmela and congratulate each other for the great job we did.  God bless each one of you and my God keep our nation safe."

Lena Mushell
San Jose, California

Sheghda, "good news"

I would like to let all fellow Assyrians know about a new website that is dedicated to Assyrian Teens! This site is run by Assyrian Teens and is for Assyrian Teens! That's their slogan. Its a very excellent site. They have only been up for a few days and they will be adding a lot of content. They currently have a chat room, pictures of Assyrian Teens from around the world, Assyrian and Arabic music in RealAudio and more! The address is: http://assyrian.simplenet.com

George Khawahie
Milpitas, California

Armenians, Assyrians & the Kurds: Three Nations, One Fate?
By: Burchard Brentjes
Pub. Price $18.00
ISBN#: 0965962318
Publisher: Rishi Pubn
Publication Date: September 1997
Available for delivery in 4 - 6 Weeks / Special Order  from Barnes & Noble

Oscar Productions Press announces the future production of Missing Links in Assyrian History By Zaia Kanoon.  This first of its kind ARABIC edition addresses questions often unanswered by available literature regarding modern Assyrians including the following:

• The claims of the Assyrian people to the ancient Assyrian ancestry.
• The similarities and differences of  the modern and ancient Assyrian languages.
• The historical factors behind the current state of disunity between the sects of the Assyrian nation
• The discrepancies of historians throughout the ages.
• The magnitude of scientific, academic, and religious contributions of  the Assyrians.
• The history of the northern migration of the church of the East Assyrians to the Hakkari mountains.

To reserve your copy, call The Assyrian Academic Society  at 312-608-9071  or write to staff@aas.net .  For more information call   KS Graphics Inc. at 847-966-4244  or  Oscar Productions at 773-334-0022.  You may reserve your book today by e-mailing you name and address with preferred method of payment.

(ZNUP:  Ankara) A Greek Orthodox priest was injured on Tuesday at an explosion at church premises in Istanbul, Turkey.
Church officials said the device, believed to be a grenade, was thrown over a wall of the Fener Patriarchate in the Balat
district of Istanbul. The priest suffered arm and shoulder injuries in the blast, which also caused extensive roof damage and
shattered windows.  Fener is the residence of Patriarch Bartholomew I, the spiritual leader of some 250 million Orthodox Christians. Officials said he was not at the Patriarchate at the time of the blast.  Nobody has claimed responsibility of the attack.
The Fener Patriarchate was the scene of bomb attacks in 1994 and 1996, both of which were claimed by radical Islamist
groups.  Bartholomew I visited the United States in November and met President Bill Clinton.  The United States has  condemned the attack.  "We assume that the Turkish government will take appropriate security measures for the protection of the Patriarch," said State Department spokesman James Rubin. The US acting consul general in Istanbul visited the injured deacon in the hospital and met with the patriarch, the State Department said.

                                                 Tablecloth            tdaar/pa/za        [M]

                                                 Towel                  koop/ra             [M]

                           F = Feminine    M = Masculine    P = Plural

BC (1100)

After Nebuchadnezzar came his son, Enlil-nadin-apli (1102-1099) who was a minor.  Little is known of his brief reign.  After him came Nebuchadnezzar's brother, Marduk-nadin-ahhe (1098-1081 BC). During Marduk-nadin-ahhe's time the massive migration of Aramaeans into Bet-Nahrain began and soon changed many facets of the Mesopotamian society

Babylonians, H.W.F. Saggs

AD (1903)

Mar Khnanishu, a Metropolitan from Shamsdin, arrives at Qudchanis and consecrates Mar Benyamin Catholicos of the Assyrian Church of the East.  One month earlier, Mar Shimun had consecrated his nephew Benyamin Bishop and Metropolitan, thus indicating him as his successor.

Kurds & Christians, Heazell & Margoliouth

                                                    ASSYRIAN HOLIDAY PASTRIES:  KLEICHA

Recipe for 12 Kleichas:

1 Cup Flour
2 tablespoons melted butter
1 tablespoon warm water or milk
1/2 tablespoon baking powder
A pinch of salt

Mix flour, baking powder and salt.  Add the butter, rub together and knead using warm water or milk until a good dough is formed.  Roll out and cut small rounds of dough.  Fill with date filling or nut filling.  Ford them over, firm down the edges, brush the surface with egg and bake in a quick over for fifteen minutes.

Date Filling:

1/2 cup shopped dates
1 tablespoon butter
2-4 powdered cardamons or 1 tablespoon rose water

Cook the dates with the butter for two minutes until it becomes soft.  Add the powdered cardamon or rose water.

Nut Filling:

1/2 cup crushed nuts
1 tablespoon sugar
2-4 powdered cardamons or 1 tablespoon rose water

Mix the crushed nuts with the sugar and the powdered cardamon or rose water.

Nineveh Magazine, Vol 4, #1 (1981)

December 15, 1913:  The Assyrian semi-monthly publication, Maddinkha, is published in Tiflis (Tbilisi), Georgia under the direction of Father Givargiz.

This year, the National Academy of Sciences has selected 18 individuals to receive awards honoring their contributions to science. The recipient of the award for Behavioral Research Relevant to the Prevention of Nuclear War is Dr. Alexander George, Graham H. Stuart Professor of International Relations, Emeritus, department of political science, Stanford University, Stanford, California.  Dr. George is an Assyrian whose parents came from Degala in Urmie, Iran in the pioneering days of the Assyrian migration to the U.S.   He was chosen "for combining theory with history to elucidate the requirements of deterrence, the limits to coercive diplomacy, and the relationship between force and statecraft."  Dr. George is the author or editor of thirteen books, and has received a five-year MacArthur fellowship as well as grants from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ford Foundation, and National Science Foundation.

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This Week's Reporters:

                     Albert Gabrial                Turlock, California                Assyrian Surfing Posts
                     Firas Jatou                      Chicago, Illinois                    Surfers Corner

Thank You For Referring ZENDA to a Friend:

                     Firas Jatou                      Chicago, Illinois

The Directory of ZENDA News Sources

ZNAA (Assyrian Academic Society-Chicago)
ZNAD (Assyrian Democratic Organization)
ZNAF (Agence France-Presse)
ZNAM (Archeology Magazine)
ZNAP (Associated Press International)
ZNBN (Bet-Nahrain Inc/ KBSV-TV "AssyriaVision")
ZNIF (Iraq Foundation)
ZNDA (Zenda: zenda@ix.netcom.com)
ZNIN (Iraqi National Congress)
ZNMN (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNMW (Mideast Newswire)
ZNNQ (Nabu Quarterly)
ZNNV (Nineveh Magazine)
ZNQA (Qala Atouraya- Moscow)
ZNRU (Reuters)
ZNSH (Shotapouta Newsletter)
ZNSJ (San Jose Mercury News)
ZNSM (Shufimafi Lebanese News)
ZNTM (Time Magazine)
ZNUP (United Press International)
ZNUS (US News & World Report)