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Iraqis Want De-escalation and Dialogue, Chaldean Archbishop Says

Dale Gavlak

   AMMAN, JORDAN - Iraqis are fearful about the continued use of their
   territory as a battleground, especially between the U.S. and Iran, says
   Iraq's Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Yousif Thomas Mirkis, who serves
   the faithful in the fractious northern city of Kirkuk. He says Iraqis
   would like to see the U.S. and Iran stop their war of words as well as
   missiles, and begin a dialogue.

   "Maybe it can stop here -- the revenge," Mirkis said. "The revenge was
   in all the speeches of yesterday. Those five days were very excited
   about revenge. Now, that it is done, let us go to negotiate. We have
   enough of wars. Since I am born, I see only wars, rebellion, revenge.
   Without peace. These completely destroyed our country."

   Mirkis says Iraqis want political and military leaders to listen to
   ordinary people's demands to address their country's severe
   unemployment and infrastructural problems and end action that divides
   Iraqis along sectarian and ethnic lines.

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