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Cardinal Sako: Domestic instability and winds of war bring fear to Baghdad (and Tehran)
The cardinal spoke to AsiaNews with "sadness” and great concern" about the country's political divisions and renewed tensions in the region. He also expressed apprehension over the return of al-Maliki, a possibility rejected by the United States. Christians are fearful of economic and social problems, and the lack of security and prospects.
Milan (AsiaNews) – Cardinal Louis Raphael Sako, the Chaldean Patriarch of Baghdad, spoke to AsiaNews about recent events in Iraq, and more generally in the region, scene of a new escalation between Iran and the United States (and Israel).
“Sadness, great concern, and a climate of fear" are pushing many government officials and religious leaders to remain silent, relegated to the margins while the country risks sinking back into a spiral of tension and violence, fuelled by new winds of war that are “blowing in the Middle East," in addition to an "internal instability” that has already proven to be a decisive factor in plunging Iraq into chaos.
Amid a broad conspiracy of silence, fear, and silence that resonate louder than words, “several politicians have in recent days asked me to intervene, to make the voice of a religious authority heard,” said the cardinal by telephone at the end of a three-day retreat and prayer.
Fear and anxiety are fed by internal instability in a country waiting for the new president to be elected after repeated postponements. Once he is named, he will have to name a prime minister charged with forming a new government.
The ruling coalition that emerged from last November's parliamentary election appears to be leaning toward Nouri al-Maliki, who served as prime minister from 2006 to 2014 and then resigned during a period of profound crisis for the country.
US President Donald Trump has already rejected this possibility, blaming the former prime minister for the serious economic and social crises that the country experienced in the past (including the rise of the Islamic State), as well as for being too close to Iran.
A fake letter currently circulating in the media, allegedly signed by the Saudi foreign minister, is a sign of the tensions and uncertainty. In it, al-Maliki is supposedly asked to "step back" for the good of Iraq and the region.
Riyadh has not commented so far on events in Iraq and is awaiting official news on the new leadership, but the widespread coverage of this fake text further highlights a state of confusion, as well as someone’s attempt to further destabilise the region.
Conversely, behind the silence of Iraqi religious leaders, especially top Shia clerics, lies the fear of repercussions – or retaliation – from Iran, given the close ties between Baghdad and Tehran that go beyond religion, and embrace politics and strategic interests.
“Not only in Iraq, but throughout the region, from Syria to Lebanon, people are very worried,” Cardinal Sako said. “The same goes for Christians, who have already paid a very high price in terms of exodus, and who certainly cannot live without security and stability.” Above all, “They fear for their children and their future,” he explained.
“Last but not least, there is also the problem of an economy that is 90 per cent dependent on oil revenues, plus other critical factors," including a resurging threat from the Islamic State and other jihadist groups.
The Chaldean patriarch has also joined the chorus of criticism and concern over the United States' decision to send Islamic State detainees from Syria, just over a hundred for now, but they number in the thousands, to neighbouring Iraq.
Further fuelling uncertainty is the election of Iraq’s new president, a largely ceremonial role but one that is essential to unlocking other key appointments in the country's political life, starting with the government. “Nothing is known about the timing. There is talk about the weekend, but it's not certain,” the prelate said.
Instability and fear are also reflected in "the weakness of international institutions, starting with the United Nations, which is no longer capable of ensuring global order. The only superpower today seems to be the United States, which does what it wants," especially since Trump's return to the White House.
The isolation and silence in Iran are also worrisome.
“I haven't had the opportunity to speak with the bishop and the faithful in Iran," Cardinal Sako said, “because everything is closed. The Internet doesn't work, and it's impossible to communicate.”
Given global transformations, the Chaldean patriarch noted that in eastern societies there is a lack of “great awareness of ongoing geopolitical developments, an accurate analysis of what is happening, and a rational and responsible attitude.”
"I am truly worried” because “we don't know how things will turn out. Today we are here, but tomorrow, it is impossible to predict. There are threats from the United States of an attack on Iran, which would have a significant impact on Iraq, but also on Lebanon, Syria, and the entire region."
This is why, having recently completed a three-day retreat, the cardinal urges the faithful to rely on prayer, “which has served to give comfort and some hope" to tormented Iraq. The country “seems to never have peace, but praying enlightens us and shows us how to act and see what others don't.”
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