(AINA) -- Between May and July of 1999 intensive discussions were held amongst several Assyrian political parties in Chicago, Illinois. The meetings centered on agreeing upon a consensus representative Assyrian delegation to press the Assyrian case in various ongoing international forums specifically addressing the future of Iraq. In a joint declaration released on July 15, 1999 the Assyrian Democratic Organization (ADO), the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM), and the Assyrian Universal Alliance (AUA) stated that the meetings "targeted our efforts to agree on the selection process of Assyrian delegates to represent us in the new Iraqi Opposition Group." The agreed upon "delegates will be instructed by us to represent our Assyrian interests, present our proposals and show our support for peace and the democratic process." The declaration further added, "This will bring hope of furthering our cause and preserving our identity as a nation thereby enabling us to pursue our legal and human rights."

In a public display of solidarity, former Illinois State Senator John Nimrod, the Secretary General of the AUA, Mr. Abgar Maloul, the leading ADO representative in North America, and Mr. Yonadam Yousif, an ADM Central Committee member and Minister of Housing and Pubic Works in the parliament of northern Iraq presented the results of the meetings to over one thousand Assyrians in Chicago on July 15, 1999. Similar "town hall" meetings were subsequently held in Turlock, California as well as London, England where prolonged question and answer sessions facilitated an informative discussion regarding the political deliberations. The Assyrian attendees overwhelmingly showed their support for their political representatives and encouraged them to continue in what is seen as the right direction.

This monumental agreement amongst the three political organizations is historic on account of the wide-ranging Assyrian constituents these organizations represent. Assyrians from all the various communities and Churches are represented including those of the Chaldean Church, the Syriac Orthodox and Catholic Churches, the Churches of the East, and the Protestant Churches. Furthermore, the three organizations are representative of Assyrians in the Diaspora from various countries of origin as well as those residing in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Turkey, and Iran. These political deliberations demonstrate further coalescence of a consensus Assyrian strategy for addressing continued persecution of Assyrians as well as a growing international momentum bringing together previously isolated Assyrians from around the world into a common unified political platform. The unified consensus also shows that Assyrians will no longer tolerate being divided along religious denominational lines.