Secret, written testimony submitted several days ago to Judge Joseph C. Hutcheson, American co-chairman of the Anglo-American inquiry committee, which was divulged here today, reveals that the Assyrian people of the Middle East favor the establishment of a Jewish state in Palestine. The document is signed by a prominent leader of the Assyrians, whose name was not released in order to protect him from Arab reprisals.
Declaring that the “Arab League does not represent the Assyrians, who do not recognize the League and are not bound by its decisions,” the document asserts that the setting up of a Jewish state will serve as a great moral relief to the Assyro-Chaldeans. “Millions of inhabitants in this part of the world are now following the work of your commission and wish you every success in removing one of the most flagrant acts of injustice and end the sufferings of a martyred people,” the statement says.
“Many millions feel and know that the case of the Jews is right,” the statement emphasizes, “but unfortunately conditions prevailing in most Eastern countries are such that the peoples’ leaders cannot voice the true state of affairs. Please take into consideration the fact that every person testifying to the truth before your commission is exposing himself to the greatest danger and reprisals.”
The document also asks guarantees for half million Assyrians under a free democratic Kurdish Government in Kurdistan, a Middle East area which includes sections of Turkey, Syria, Iran, and Iraq. It points out that attempts during the last three decades have failed to produce a reasonable solution to the Assyrian problem and that none will be found unless a democratic, benevolent Kurdish Government is established, capable of treating the Christian Assyrians with justice.
James G. MacDonald, American member of the inquiry committee, had an audience today with Monsignor Anthony Peter Arida, Patriarch and spiritual leader of all Maronites; Archbishop Ignatz Mourbarck, of Beirut; and Archbishop Abdullah el Khouri. The three Catholic leaders presented testimony for the consideration of the entire inquiry body.
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