Assyrian Universal Alliance
Australia Chapter
AUA Meeting with Minister for Foreign Affairs
 

Sydney - 14 May 2008

On 13 May 2008, a delegation representing the Assyrian Universal Alliance - Australia Chapter and the Assyrian Australian National Federation went on an official visit to Canberra to meet with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, The Hon. Stephen Smith MP.

The delegates in attendance were:

            - Hermiz Shahen: Secretary of the Assyrian Universal Alliance - Australian Chapter;
            - David M. David: President of the Assyrian Australian National Federation and Executive                                 Member of the Assyrian Universal Alliance; and
            - Paul Azzo: Adviser to the Assyrian Universal Alliance on Governmental Issues.

The delegation congratulated the Minister for being sworn in as Minister for Foreign Affairs on 3 December 2007 and wished him success with his new responsibilities. The delegation presented the Minister with a detailed letter about the current situation in Iraq, where the future of our Assyrian nation is bleak.

A range of concerns regarding the plight of our people in Iraq were discussed and the delegation also requested support from the Australian Government for a number of issues including the establishment of an autonomous Assyrian region in the historical Assyrian land in Northern Iraq, in which Assyrians can administer themselves and live in peace as proud Iraqi citizens in the land of their forefathers.

On behalf of the Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australia Chapter and the Assyrian Australian community, we would like to thank the Minister for the attention given to our plea.  We also extend our appreciation to The Hon. Chris Bowen MP, Assistant Treasurer, Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, for organising this significant meeting and for his sincerity and outstanding effort over the years in raising the Assyrian issue with the Australian Government.

We hope this meeting achieves a positive outcome for the needs of our Assyrian people in Iraq.

Hermiz Shahen

Secretary,
Assyrian Universal Alliance-Australian Chapter

 Letter presented to the Minister for Foreign Affairs at this meeting: