Greetings to Our Fellow Internationally-Minded
San Diego Citizens,
You are receiving this because we think you would be interested in our work.
If you want off our list, let us know. We’ll miss you.
Our work is diplomacy. We are most proud that we bring all sorts of international humans together, face to face, to talk and change the course of things. Over 600 emerging leaders a year, coming to San Diego, from well over 100 countries. Amazing work.
THIS MONTH
IRAQ - Conversations Over Dinner with Iraqis, and An Email from Baghdad.
(Their names are deleted at the request of their interpreter as there is some risk back home if it is known that they were here.)
UPCOMING EVENTS - Two to which you are invited: International Russia/Belarus/Canada Happy Hour and Festa Italiana! Two chances to get to know us and have some fun too!
IRAQ:
HOME HOSPTALITY: Iraqi Jurists Come with a Message
Three guests from Iraq, with their interpreters, enjoyed home hospitality while they visited San Diego, and they came with a message: stay the course.
Hosting our visitors were CDCSD members, Peter (board member) and Margrit Bickelmann, who have entertained many foreign guests through the program. But the Iraqis, unlike other visitors brought by the State Department, did not avoid — indeed, were anxious to talk about— politics.
Ably assisted by their indefatigable interpreters, they maintained that the United States has a moral duty to keep its troops in Iraq while it pursues a diplomatic solution to the al-Qaeda insurgency.
They wouldn’t say whether or not the U.S. should have invaded their country in the first place, but now that we are there, the Iraqi guests maintained, we must remain to prevent a “bloodbath” that would ensue if U.S. troops pulled out prematurely.
The bloodbath would be instigated by al-Qaeda, which they view as the main threat to Iraqis today. They minimized the seriousness of Shia-Sunni internecine fighting, noting that they themselves, though Shiites, have Sunni wives.
Obviously the dinner conversation at the Bickelmanns’ was lively and interesting — if a bit unusual for CDCSD guests!
An Email from Baghdad
Ever since he visited here as one of our international guests, this Iraqi and I have turned into what we used to call pen pals. His first email to me apologized for his delay in responding as his brother had been killed in the bombing. These are his thoughts, unedited. -Cath
Dear Cath
Sorry for being lait it was because the electrisity , life became very diffecult .Im glad with this discusion of course I feel free because even when I in USA I said to every one who ask me about Iraq and how Iraqi peaple now practicing democrasy ,I said what hasppen now is not democrasy .When you make peaple who used to live peacfully quarall with each other is not democrasy .When you enter the country and let the borders open to the terrirests and make no balance inside with continouse complaining from poverty (when peaple cannt work due to the security situation means poverty attacking them ) that is not democrasy .Also I said (when you impose freedom upon me I cannt accept it ) .Blieve me we could solve our problems by ourselves .Sorry I have to end because the electrisity gone .
Thanks
Best Regards
UPCOMING EVENTS:
International Happy Hour May 29th with visitors from Russia, Belarus, and Canada. More information on flyer: http://www.cdcsd.org/May07HappyHour.pdf
Festa Italiana June 21st Accordion-serenaded, catered Italian dinner with Janelle and Joey DeStefano of the San Diego Opera performing, along with a Silent Auction too. Register now! http://www.cdcsd.org/events.php
Helping human dialogue,

Cath DeStefano
Executive Director
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