Free from Saddam's yoke, Kurdish vineyards bear fruit once more

[Barrett808]

Free from Saddam's yoke, Kurdish vineyards bear fruit once more
by Jay Deshmukh

BERI BAHAR, Iraq (AFP) - When Saddam Hussein's warplanes bombed the picturesque Kurdish village of Beri Bahar on April 24, 1987, Mohammed Saleem gathered his family and ran for his life.

The escape saved his loved ones, but when Saleem returned four years later he found his only other treasure -- his vineyard -- had been crushed under the boots of the dictator's forces during their genocidal "Anfal" campaign.

In 1991 Saddam was defeated by a US-led coalition in the first Gulf War, and American aircraft began to patrol a "no-fly zone" to prevent Saddam's return in force to Kurdish lands. But they came too late for Saleem's vines.

Now, three years after US troops returned to Iraq to finally topple Saddam, the valleys of the northern province of Dohuk are turning green once more.

"There was no need to destroy our farms and vineyards. That was cruel. But by God's grace we are bouncing back," said 53-year-old Saleem, crouching under the trees in a vineyard on a hillock in Beri Bahar, or "Before Spring".

(more)

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20060815/wl_mideast_afp/iraqkurdistanvineyard

[napi21]

1. 'm glad for them, but if they had/have vinyards, does that mean

they actually make WINE? I always thought it was against their religion to drink any alcohol???

[Taxloss]

3. Turkey produces wine - some of it excellent.

Back in my drinking days, I used to enjoy a bottle of Turkish red.

[azurnoir]

4. No,the article says they are

growing table grapes, the sweeter varities for juice, candy making, and consumption.

[Taxloss]

5. But I suppose what happens to the grapes is ultimately in the hands of

the buyer.

[kurth]

6. Alcohol is allowed in the main Kurdish religion - Yazdânism

Some even eat pork.

[Taxloss]

2. Recommended Interesting story. n/t