Iraqi patriarch criticizes US-led occupation

December 10, 2008

Patriarch Emmanuel III Delly of Baghdad, the head of the Chaldean Catholic Church, has reported a "complete breakdown of security" in Iraq. Speaking to an audience in Detroit during a visit to the US, the Iraqi prelate said that conditions in his country are worse now than before the US-led war to oust Saddam Hussein-- particularly for the Christian minority; he told his American audience that "the occupation has not been good for the Christians and for all of Iraq." The Chaldean patriarch said that occupying military forces could be far more effective in providing security for civilians, and he is "puzzled as to why they have not done more to bring about peace and security."

 

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Further information:

• Top Chaldean says U.S. efforts in Iraq fall short (Detroit Free Press)
• Iraqi cleric seeks world's attention (Detroit News)
• Iraqi Cardinal Emmanuel III Delly visits Mich. (AP)