Last week, Australia's Foreign Minister Kevin Rudd and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen met with members from Assyrian, Chaldean and Mandaen communities to discuss the welfare of Christian minorities in Iraq and elsewhere in the Middle East. Rudd said he worked closely with Bowen to ensure contributions to the United Nations were directed appropriately to the Christian minorities. “Australia is one of the top donors to local UN projects, and watching how that is spent will be among the questions Chris (Bowen) will pose when he's in Geneva later this year,” Rudd said. “We will be asking about what is being done for the Christian minorities in the Middle East, and what more can be done.” Members of the local groups spoke about their progress in providing help for fellow members across the Middle East. June Jako, President of the Assyrian Aid Society of Australia said “We support 30 to 40 schools in Iraq where students are taught the mother language and given a future. “We've recently received NGO (non-government organisation) status from the United Nations and we hope this will strengthen our ability to help our brothers and sisters.” Amad Mtashar of the Australian Mandaen Community Cultural Association presented Rudd with a report on the status and needs of Mandaens outside Australia. “Since the collapse of the regime (in Iraq) and the events of 2004, things have got worse, not better, for our people,” said Mtashar. “They do not want to leave their homeland, but it is like living inside a huge prison. “We want to know what Australia is doing to help our people.” Rudd said it was invaluable to hear the concerns of communities in Australia who have strong ties to their home countries. “Stability in the home countries of our residents affects the stability of all countries, so I meet with many communities in Australia to work towards that,” said Rudd. BM
