(AINA) -- Atheel Al Nujaifi, the Sunni governor of Iraq's Nineveh province, met with Assyrian leaders in Chicago yesterday. The meeting was sponsored by the Chicago chapter of the Assyrian Democratic Movement (ADM) and was a discussion and question and answer session. Mr. Nujaifi was accompanied by Dr. Duraid of the ADM from Iraq.

The meeting began with Mr. Hurmiz Tairo outlining ADM's position on the current situation in North Iraq and its support for an autonomous region under Article 125 of the constitution as a solution (AINA 2011-10-24).

After Mr. Tairo's presentation, the governor of Nineveh spoke about the current situation in Iraq. He said it is a difficult one, but expressed hope in the struggle against ISIS. He called on Christians to be a part of the solution to reclaim the area, saying in the usual rhetoric that they are a part of Iraq along with other minorities. He also noted that ISIS is not the face of Islam and that most Sunni Muslims in Iraq oppose them.

When asked if he currently has an administration and whether he was still working as governor, he said that he has two offices in the Kurdish region, in Arbel and Dohuk (Assyrian Noohadra), but his official office is in the Assyrian town of Alqosh, which is officially located in the Nineveh province. He also noted that his relations with the Kurdish Regional Government are good, and that he is essentially trying to build a diverse state and is calling for a democratic and secular country.

The governor said the Kurdish leaders, Nechervan Barazani and Masud Barazani, do not really support Article 140. According to Al Nujaifi, Nechervan Barazani had stated it was the "Americans who pushed us" for supporting it. When pressed on this, he said he did not ask for details from Nechervan, but said that what Nechervan told him was that "we should work on what is under the earth [oil, resources] and not what is on the ground [people]," implying there are negotiations on the financial arrangements between the Kurds and the Nineveh province, with Baghdad seemingly alienated from this.

Al Nujaifi noted that he does not oppose the idea of an autonomous region, but noted that there has to be trust between parties. "Who are you afraid of, who is the enemy?" he asked. "If you consider Islam your enemy then you cannot live in the area." He indicated that he would meet with officials in Washington and ask for direct communication -- as the Kurds have done. He said that his group is trying to establish the same type of lobby in Washington as the Kurds have. This development is very important and one that will have consequences on how the US proceeds in the area.

Al Nujaifi stated that if Christians wanted to keep their lands and have a say in Iraqi politics, they need to be involved now and not wait until after the situation settles.

Dr. Duraid of the ADM followed Al Nujaifi with a short report about the refugees from Nineveh. He said their situation is dire and he praised the churches for having been played the most organized and constructive in helping them. He also praised the role of the Assyrian Aid Society and other NGOs in the area.