ActionScript 2.0 :: FMX - Passing Variable From HTML To SWF?

I've been trying - with absolutely no success - to pass a variable from an SWF on an index page to an SWF on the next page (in this case home.asp). I am using the following method:

In the index page when a menu button is clicked I pass the value in the string
[AS]getURL("home.asp?jumpTo=aboutus", "_top", "GET");[/AS]
Then on home.asp I drop the value into the SWF link (both the object and embed tags):
myswf.swf?jumpTo=<%=request.querystring("jumpTo")% >

In the SWF I then attempt to use the value of "jumpTo" like this:
(this is on the first frame of the SWF)
[AS]if(jumpTo==aboutus) {
_root.button4.gotoAndStop(10);
_root.header.attachMovie("aboutID", "attachedAbout", 1);
getURL ("aboutus.html", "site");
}

There are 11 possible values for "jumpTo" and I have a similar "if" statement written for each one. i know the value is being passed from the original SWF to home.asp because when I request the querystring it gives me the correct value. it's obvious that the SWF embedded in home.asp is not receiving the value. Do I need to declare the variable first? Should I use a global variable? is it possible to set up a dynamic variable in the flash movie?