Bishop of Kirkuk says "new" Iraq's economy is picking up
Milan (AsiaNews) Iraq's economy is recovering, especially in the more secure areas of the country, areas in which reconstruction has also begun. But things have "improved slightly" all over the "new", post-election Iraq, as was explained to AsiaNews by Monsignor Louis Sako, Catholic Chaldean-rite Archbishop of Kirkuk, where the country's oldest, and still richest, oil fields are located. The situation is improving also for Christians, who are generally better prepared and more resourceful than their Muslim compatriots, and who "as a group" are not suffering persecution, Archbishop Sako says, even if they are sometimes associated, on faith grounds, with the American invaders.
Currently in Italy for a short visit, Msgr Sako told AsiaNews that "Iraq is rich not only in petroleum, but also for its agriculture and tourism potential. For years, the country had been impoverished by the regime which had turned Iraq into one big military barrack. Now, the economy is picking up and all sort of goods are on the market. During the embargo, nothing was available. Things have improved also in terms of salaries. For example, at one time a university professor earned just 10 dollars a month and was thus forced to find other ways to make ends meet, such as selling newspapers, driving a taxi, and so on. Instead, now, depending on various factors, he earns somewhere between 700 and 1400 dollars per month."
How is reconstruction going?
As far as reconstruction is concerned, everything depends on security, which is lacking in Baghdad, Mosul and Basra. So, in these cities, reconstruction is moving ahead slowly or is at a standstill because people are afraid. Other places, such as Nassiriya and Samawa, enjoy much more security. Even Kirkuk has a good level of security and, above all, a lot of work. North of Kirkuk, in Kurdistan, there is absolute security. Kirkuk is a bit of an exception because it is halfway between the Arab and Kurdish areas and, furthermore, Kirkuk has petroleum. Security is important. As an example, some Iraqis who cannot invest in areas lacking security are going north, to Kurdistan, to build hotels and factories.
How are things for Christians?
Generally, Christians form an elite group, as a result of both their professional and educational qualifications, and their openness to scientific knowledge. Religious education also plays a role in all this, in terms of an open worldview and Christian conceptions of family. As a result, they generally are better off. Most Christians have a post-secondary education: many are doctors, engineers, retailers, technicians and, now also interpreters. The reason is that, by nature, a Christian strives to improve his lot, both spiritually, as well as in social and economic terms. Instead, for Muslim, everything is predestined by Allah.
Is there any kind of direct or indirect persecution against Christians?
There is no direct form of persecution against Christians as a group. Being, however, a minority, when there is some incident involving a Christian, the word gets around quickly. For instance, if a Christian is kidnapped, the news spreads immediately and causes fear. Instead, the abduction of a Muslim does not cause a stir: it's considered almost a normal occurrence. The same applies to acts of terrorism. In relation to attacks against Christian churches, when terrorists attacked Kerbala and Najaf, holy cities for Islam, hundreds of Muslims were killed. In comparison, Muslim victims have far outnumbered Christian ones.
There is a kind of indirect persecution on the part of some who associate Iraqi Christians with the Americans. This is due to both the penetration of Islamic extremists and economic reasons. In fact, Christians are richer on average. Furthermore, it is easier to kidnap a Christian since, unlike Muslims, they have no tribal context to protect them. This is why, when a Christian is kidnapped, a ransom is paid, whereas Muslims have a card to play through tribal retaliation. Nevertheless, many Muslims are kidnapped: not, however, by members of the resistance, but by well organized criminal groups who aim only at making money.
What prospects do you see for the post-election period?
Things have changed, and have slightly improved, since the elections. A new Iraq was born, but it's still an infant facing many risks and challenges. It needs help to grow. This is a task for the entire international community and in particular Arab states because, for better or for worse, what goes on in Iraq has an impact on the rest of the region and because generally Iraq has a role to play as an example for the rest of the Middle East. Personally, I think this impact is already playing out and I'm referring to Lebanon and Egypt, to elections in Saudi Arabia and more. I think Iraq's future will be much better. I think democracy and pluralism will develop in an Iraq where everyone will be able to freely find fulfillment. In my opinion, compared to other countries in the region, Iraq will be able to experience great growth and a very sound economy, given the resources it has. Many Iraqi who expatriated will return to invest their money.
Therefore, there is room for even private entities in Iraq's reconstruction?
Investment is open to everyone, unlike before when everything was planned by the state. Daily life, from an economic point of view, has gone back to normal.
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