On the third anniversary of hostilities in Iraq, the Chaldean bishop of Amadiyah and Erbil says he is optimistic. Iraqis now have a new government, way of thinking, universities, schools and hospitals. There is no civil war. After the elections the population and its leaders won't let themselves be manipulated by those who want to destroy the country.

Rome (AsiaNews) – "Everything is changing in Iraq; everyone has to have the courage to change," said an optimistic Mgr Rabban al-Qas, Chaldean bishop of Amadiyah and Erbil (Kurdistan). AsiaNews reached the prelate on the third anniversary of the beginning of hostilities in Iraq to get his evaluation of the situation.

"Politics in Iraq have changed completely" he said pleased. "We are on the right path to democracy but this requires sacrifices. We must learn how to suffer and have the courage to change".

And yet former Prime Minister Iyad Allawi said that Iraq is already in a state of civil war . . .

No! It is not a civil war even if some people wanted to reach that point by exploiting religious sentiments, destroying Shiite and Sunni mosques and churches.

I am convinced however that now, after the elections, those who are at the helm of political parties won't let themselves be manipulated; they won't do what the adversaries and enemies of Iraq hoped they would do.

Amongst Iraq's enemies there are people who complain and are nostalgic about what they had in the past—power, wealth, palaces—and are now flat broke and out of favour. In the country, from this conflict and enmity spring. And to this, one must add religious fanatics from foreign countries and ideologies.

Which countries?

I can't give you precise information, but the fact is that since the government has not yet been able to control the borders terrorists have been able to slip in easily from neighbouring countries. Whether for money or convinced that they re serving the Muslim religion or not, and despite the error of their ways, they have found a favourable field in Iraq.

Sometimes you see people on TV who claim they are serving Islam but they are only indoctrinated. Their mind has been stuffed with jihad and the idea that they are serving Islam.

Iraqis are far from sharing this attitude. There is a new government, a new way of thinking; there are new universities, schools, hospitals. Life goes on despite explosions and murders.

In other words, you are optimistic about Iraq's future.

We remain optimistic. Let us show that the future goes beyond what the press says and the crimes and suffering it shows. Disorder after the collapse of dictatorship is normal until a government takes over. Now that we have one, we should wait and see it at work.

One should be optimistic; Iraqis are optimistic; I am. We must prove that ours is not a country of murderers and explosions. Beyond that there is a people that wants to live and is living.

I set up a school that is attended by Muslim, Christian and Kurdish children. They study and work together to prepare a future based on brotherhood and mutual acceptance; they are working for the future of Iraq.

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