Washington (AINA) -- Congressman Frank R. Wolf (10th District, Virginia) has sent a strongly worded letter to Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton regarding the perilous situation of the Assyrians of Iraq, who have in the past six years subjected to intense ethnic and religious persecution (report). It is estimated that nearly 50% of Assyrians have fled Iraq since 2004. Assyrians in Syria and Jordan comprise 40% of Iraqi refugees, though they are only 8% of Iraq's population.

The text of Congressman Wolf's letter follows (click here for a PDF version)

Dear Secretary Clinton:

I recently received two responses from the Department of State to two different letters I had written regarding the plight ofIraq's besieged ethno-religious minorities, specifically the ancient Christian community. Both of the letters were signed by the acting assistant secretary for Legislative Affairs. While I am familiar with the internal clearance process ofthe department, and gather that these responses reflect the administration's position, I respectfully request that any future letters come from the corresponding assistant secretary who has responsibility for the issue at hand.

I found that the department's response to my letters did not address the core of my concerns-namely the department's lack ofa comprehensive policy to address the unique plight ofthese minority communities. While I am encouraged by the overall improvements in the security situation in Iraq, these are not yet a reality for all ofthe people of Iraq. A March 18 Christian Post article lead with the following sentence: "Nearly six years since the beginning of the war in Iraq, Iraqi's are increasingly saying that their country is becoming a safe place to live, according to a recent survey. For Christians, however, the daily threat of violent attacks means these are still uncertain times."

I have also repeatedly asked, consistent with the recommendations put forward by the

U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, that you appoint a special envoy or some other high-ranking official, responsible for human rights, to our embassy in Baghdad. This individual should report directly to you and serve as the lead human rights official in Iraq for the United States.

The recently released State Department Country Reports on Human Rights documented the targeted oppression and killings that the Christian community in Iraq experienced over the course ofthe last year. Below are a few excerpts:

"In general Christian residents in the north saw increased threats in the second half ofthe year, for example in Mosul during October;"

"In October, 12 Christians were reported killed in Mosul. The attacks began after hundreds of Christians began protesting an initial parliamentary removal of guarantees of seats for minorities on provincial councils in Mosul and the surrounding area. According to UNHCR, 2,000 Chrsitian families fled Mosul after the attacks;"

"In January, Christian churches and convents were the target often reported bomb attacks."

Give these realities, nothing short ofa comprehensive policy will suffice. The stakes are high. Renowned religion scholar Philip Jenkins recently authored a book titled The Lost History a/Christianity: The Thousand-Year Golden Age a/the Church in The Middle East, Africa, and Asia-and How It Died. In a Christianity Today interview about the book, Jenkins had a devastating prediction for this faith community saying, "Iraq is a classic example ofa church that is killed over time. The church will probably cease to exist within my lifetime." .

Do not allow the church in Iraq to die on your watch.

Frank R. Wolf