The Application of Autonomy to the Assyrian Territory
in the New Democratic Iraq
6-28-2004, 2:1:13
www.aina.org


Introduction
  
Autonomy or self-rule is a relative term that describes the degree of local Assyrian self-rule within the framework of a democratic federal Iraq. This is the minimum level of authority -- an autonomous status -- tolerated under the new democratic regime of Iraq.
  
The prime factor that helps realize or achieve such a status is the freely and democratically stated and expressed intention of the central government to implement or put in force a federal system that can guarantee equal autonomy to the Iraqi nationalities. On base of such a prudent choice the Assyrians' top priority is a self-rule in their ancestral territory unhampered by challenging unhistorical claims or behavior that has no legal attachment to the Assyrian territory.
  
Politically, the Assyrians are
-- A distinct ethnic component of the Iraqi population.
-- An integral part of the whole Iraqi nation just as the Arabs.   Subject to principles of Self-determination; i.e. Autonomy.
-- Possess the ingredients that go into nationalism such as the Assyrian Triangle around Nineveh which is the core of their claim to autonomy or self-rule. 

Socially and Culturally, the Assyrians
-- Are not a religious community and should not be looked upon as such.
-- Are an ethnic group with legitimate rights to participate equally and actively in building the new democratic Iraq.
-- Have their own language, called neo-Syriac, which is based in Assyrian Aramaic, which is heavily infused with Akkadian, their previous language. 

Historically, the Assyrians
-- Are the indigenous inhabitants of Iraq. They have the desire to continue dwelling there as a distinctive self-ruled entity identified by comprehensive national elements still existing in their conservative communities.
-- Hopefully aspire to have their past rule in Mesopotamia rehabilitated as a legitimate justification of their claim to autonomy. 

General Autonomy Structure
  
The structure of the Assyrian autonomy shall be as follows:
  
Legislative
-- The Assyrian local authority will represent the Assyrians residing in the autonomous territory. The authority will exclusively administer local laws legislated by it to run the affairs of the autonomy in coordination with the Constitution and laws of the central regime.
-- The Assyrian authority will be confined to matters of pure local nature and will not get involved in foreign policy and national defense unless otherwise being counseled by the central regime.
-- The head of the autonomy will be elected by the Assyrians of the autonomous territory.
-- The Assyrian autonomous authority will be entitled to amend its local by-laws as it deems necessary for the implementation of its agenda in the autonomous territory.   The Assyrian Autonomous authority will abide completely by the constitution of Iraq and with all subsequent legislation and amendments enacted by the central regime.  

Judicial
-- The Assyrian autonomous territory will have an independent local judiciary with jurisdiction over purely local matters.
-- Jurisdictional questions between local courts and local disputes are to be solved locally. 

Particular Issues And Powers
  
Foreign Relations And Defense
-- The Assyrian autonomous territory will exercise no power over foreign relations and defense. 

Policy and Security Arrangements
-- Local police power in the Assyrian Autonomous territory will be exercised by the Assyrian local authority in coordination with the central regime strategy, particularly, matters of security and other vital issues.
-- Local police forces in the autonomous territory will be a component of power of the Assyrian autonomous rule. 

Social Services
-- Provisions of social services such as health, education, and welfare will be the responsibility of the Assyrian autonomous Authority who will be eligible to seek grants and other subsidies administered by the national government. 

Taxes
-- The power to impose and collect local taxes in the autonomous territory will be the responsibility of the Assyrian local authority. 

Culture and Religion
-- The Assyrians are directly responsible to cultivate their culture that reflects their traditions, customs, and folklore, in a multi-national and ethnic society existing in Iraq.  

Conclusion
  
In the Assyrian case, the self-rule will come true and will be materialized through full integration of the Assyrian community in the new democratic regime of Iraq. And since the people of Iraq strongly favor a federal regime, the Assyrians, similarly, like the Arabs, the Kurds, and Turkomans are also in favor of a democratic federal regime that has the capacity to provide a federal political entity for the Iraqis. They are longing to see their autonomous territory prospering under the comprehensive direct control of the central government.
  
Chicago: June 14, 2004

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Dr. Khoshaba Jasim is an Assyrian from Iraq. He immigrated to the U.S. in 1974. He has a Ph.D. in political science from Northeastern Illinois University.

Views and opinions expressed in guest editorials do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of AINA.


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