Recent meetings involving various Iraqi opposition groups and the U.S. State Department in Washington have been most notable for the conspicuous absence of the consensus Assyrian representation that was earlier announced by three of the major Assyrian political organizations. Released on July 15, 1999, a declaration by the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), and the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) outlined a general consensus on designating delegates to represent the Assyrian case in the ongoing discussions between the Iraqi opposition and the State Department.

The three Assyrian organizations had designated Mr. Yacoub Yousif of the ADM as the consensus Assyrian representative. The selection of Mr. Yousif was widely hailed by Assyrians in the U.S., Iraq, and internationally because as a central committee member of the ADM, Mr. Yousif had already been involved in the Iraqi opposition as a member of the Iraqi National Congress (INC) and because he is a leading figure in the most broad-based and representative Assyrian organization in Iraq. Moreover, since the constituent bases of these three main Assyrian organizations represent a clear majority and diversity of Assyrians both in the Middle East, North America, and Europe, the backing of the other two political organizations was seen as an historic and resounding endorsement of Mr. Yousif.

Reportedly, the U.S. State Department, possibly at the behest of other Iraqi opposition groups, had earlier baulked at allowing any Assyrian representatives into the meetings until all Assyrian political parties had agreed on a common single representative. Although other Assyrian political organizations had been consulted and had agreed on the main points to press in any future international forums on Iraq, not all, such as the Bet Nahrain Democratic Party (BNDP), had agreed on a single representative. The imposition of this condition of a single Assyrian representative by the State Department has baffled most Assyrian observers since other groups within the Iraqi opposition such as the frequently warring Kurds in the north, the numerically small Turkomans, and the Shiites in the south are allowed more than one representative each.

In an informal gathering on September 17, 1999 in Chicago, Mr. Abgar Maloul, the leading figure of the ADO in North America pointed out that the State Department and opposition groups are ostensibly pressing for democracy and pluralism while refusing to allow the participation of Assyrian representatives. He added that the conditions imposed on the Assyrians are arbitrary and that other groups are exempt from the same conditions. Mr. Ninos Bityou, the Secretary General of the ADM said that the ADM had formally asked the State Department for an explanation of the single representative condition imposed on the Assyrians. Showing his frustration he added, "we have yet to receive a satisfactory response." Mr. Homer Ashourian speaking on behalf of the AUA urged Assyrian American grass roots organizations as well as individuals to press the U.S. government to recognize the representatives recommended by the three agreeing political organizations as the most legitimate and widely supported Assyrian representatives.

The State department lock out of the consensus Assyrian representation has been a windfall for those Iraqi opposition groups with a vested interest in silencing Assyrian issues. With continued attacks against Assyrians in Iraq, the opposition appears troubled about potentially embarrassing revelations linking certain opposition groups to heinous attacks against Assyrians. Specifically, attacks by some Kurdish groups against Assyrian civilians, political leaders, churches, clergy, as well as abductions, rapes, assassinations, and continued land expropriations are believed to be part of a larger pattern of intimidating Assyrians into leaving their ancestral lands for the purpose of permanently altering the demographic balance of the northern provinces.

Maneuverings by non-Assyrian groups within the Iraqi opposition to block the consensus Assyrian representation are believed to be ploys aimed at minimizing the legitimate political aspirations of the Assyrians and silencing complaints about human rights abuses against Assyrians by groups within the opposition. Still more, such tactics demonstrate a crude scheme designed specifically to trivialize the ADM's role in pressing the Assyrian case in Iraq. By preventing Mr. Yacoub Yousif's participation on behalf of the Assyrians of Iraq and the Diaspora, it is hoped by some elements within the opposition to block any future role for any organized Iraqi-based Assyrian political organization thereby perpetuating the disenfranchisement of the Assyrian people.

For most Assyrians who share a genuine respect for all of the major Assyrian political organizations including the ADO, the ADM, the AUA, and BNDP, the main concern is not who ought to singularly represent Assyrians but rather that Assyrians are in fact represented. Not unlike the other groups within Iraq, the Assyrians are a diverse people. If with their fiercely independent, democratic and pluralistic traditions the Assyrians are not likely to recommend a single representative, the U.S. government ought not dictate a lock out based on arbitrary conditions imposed solely upon the Assyrians. Regardless whether the lock out has been fostered by the dominant groups within the Iraqi opposition or by the U.S. government, such a lock out is unjust and will surely lead to the failure of the opposition. The goal of a democratic and pluralistic Iraq will be harder to realize if democratic ideals and principles are abandoned in favor of political expediency. Furthermore, an Iraq not represented by all of its constituent parts will be neither whole nor democratic. With persecution of the indigenous Assyrian Christian people of Iraq escalating within the northern "Safe Haven" and the government controlled portion of Iraq, the Assyrian case must not now be silenced.