” “Mgr. Basilios Georges Casmoussa, Syrian archbishop of Mossoul, recalls that in that country “the presence of the Americans is viewed as an occupation force and it is said to contribute to the climate of insecurity”. “If the Americans have come to help us find peace and freedom again he states they must assist and strengthen the institutions, including the army, give us a stable government and security. They must declare a plan for the withdrawal of their troops. If they calm the people down by pointing out the steps of their withdrawal, people will find their confidence again”. Mgr. Casmoussa, who was abducted in January 2005 but was released a few days later, tells in an interview, which will be published on the next biweekly SIR, his terrifying experience: “It came as a surprise. I was threatened with death, I had submitted to God’s will and I was waiting for the worst to happen. I asked the Lord to let me stay calm until the end and that His will be done. Thanks God I was released. I think I was released because of my deep prayer and John Paul II’s appeal”. “When the abductors asked me if I wanted to say something special to my family before dying he goes on I asked to pray. My will would have been: ‘I give up my life for peace in Iraq and for Christians and Muslims to build the country holding hands, because these people are entitled to live there. Our lives must come to an end sooner or later; at that time I wanted my life to come to an end with my beliefs and my faith. The rest was up to the good God. Today I have changed nothing in my life, I keep living as a bishop, visiting my congregation, celebrating Mass. I am just a little bit warier but not to so wary as to be unable to do things. My security is the security of my people”.” “
