IRAQ UPDATE: 16-30 June 2008
CPTers serving on team during this period were Anita David, Angela Davis, Peggy Gish, Joe Mueller, and ChihChun Yuan.
Wednesday, 18 June
The house CPT is leasing finally received water.
Thursday, 19 June
Gish and Mueller met with a team friend from Iran who described conditions of Kurds in Iran and Iraq, and expressed discontent with the Iranian government.
Sunday, 22 June
The team, led by Gish, facilitated a daylong seminar on principles of nonviolence, conflict resolution and reconciliation for twenty-five participants from across the northern governorates of Iraq: Dahuk, Ninewa, Salahuddein, Diyala, Taamiim, Erbil, and Suleimany.
Monday, 23 June
The team sent a letter to the World Health Organization (WHO) requesting that WHO help test the soil, water, and people in the Qandil mountain region where Turkey is bombing. Because of symptoms such as watery eyes and breathing problems, as well as numerous dead livestock, villagers think that Turkey may have used chemical weapons against them. If done in a timely manner, WHO has the capabilities to test the soil and discern if the Turkish military used such weapons.
Tuesday, 24 June
Davis and Yuan met with Dr. Shurko at the Ministry of Health to request a gynecologist and vaccinations for children at Qalawa IDP camp. Dr. Shurko informed Davis and Yuan that, beginning 1 July, a mobile clinic with a gynecologist, two public health specialists, and a general practitioner would be available at Qalawa every day. He also said that he would like people living in Qalawa camp to come to his office to discuss their health concerns.
Wednesday, 25 June
Gish and Mueller met with Mr. Ayoub from Darstan Children's Media, concerning CPT's involvement in a project connecting Iraqi and American youth through the distribution of magazines and other materials. Mr. Ayoub is eager to contact U.S. groups willing to participate.
Thursday, 26 June
Davis, Gish, and Yuan visited Asuda women's shelter, which protects women at risk from honor killings and other violence, and provides awareness trainings for men about violence against women.
Saturday, 28 June
An independent journalist from Hawlati, who is writing a story on honor killings in Iraqi-Kurdistan, came to interview CPTers about violence against women in Taiwan and the U.S.
Sunday, 29 June
Gish and Yuan discussed a proposal for in-depth nonviolent trainings for trainers with Women's Alliance for a Democratic Iraq (WAFDI). WAFDI members liked the proposal and wanted to work with CPT to plan these trainings in the near future. Another NGO asked CPT to facilitate a daylong training for twenty-five people on 5 July 2008.
Monday, 30 June
CPT-Iraq acquired papers designating it as an official NGO from the Suleimaniya governorate's Ministry of Interior.
Davis and Gish met with the Kurdistan Social Development Organization (KDSO) and learned about some of their programs that educate and empower women.