News
Amid a series of comments on world trouble spots, the Central Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed "concern and alarm" Monday (2 September) about United States aims to overthrow the government of Iraq.
The Committee also acknowledged the continued pain in the US since the September 11, 2001 terror attacks, but expressed concern about the "negative consequences" of the US Government's "war on terrorism".
The Central Committee, meeting in Geneva 26 August through 3 September, also condemned violence and potential violence in Colombia, South Asia, Sudan and the Middle East.
The Central Committee approved a statement calling upon the US "to desist from any military threats against Iraq" and urging US allies "to resist pressures to join in pre-emptive military strikes against a sovereign state under the pretext of the 'war on terrorism'".
The Committee called upon Iraq to comply with United Nations demands that it destroy its weapons of mass destruction and "guarantee full respect of the civil and political, economic, social and cultural human rights for all its citizens". The US government was urged to pursue its response to terrorism within boundaries of international law and with respect for human rights.
In a minute on the "tragedy of September 11", the Committee acknowledged "the pervasive sense of vulnerability" that has continued in the US and elsewhere, and affirmed that "the world faces the real and ongoing threat of terrorism". Even so, the Committee said, the "most effective ways of combating terrorism are to be found in building a more just world order in which the rights and dignity of all human beings are upheld and affirmed."
A statement on the ecumenical response to the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict in the Holy Land expressed "alarm and dismay" at the "escalation of violence in the Palestinian autonomous and occupied territories as well as Israel over the last four months that has claimed a terrible toll of human life." The Committee's concern was extended to families of both Israelis and Palestinians killed in the violence.
In other comments issued Monday, the Central Committee approved a statement on South Asia that called upon India and Pakistan to resolve their dispute over Kashmir in accordance with wishes of the people who live there. "There is no military solution to the Kashmir dispute," the Committee said, urging India and Pakistan to "return to the negotiating table without delay".
The Committee welcomed hopeful signs that the 20-year-long ethnic conflict in Sri Lanka was moving toward a resolution. In the case of Bangladesh, churches were urged to monitor the situation of religious minorities in that country and "promote tolerance and build a culture of peace".
A minute on the peace process in Sudan urged the churches to remain in prayer for the churches and people of that country and to support the churches "in their continued witness and work for justice, peace and reconciliation".
A statement on violence in Colombia described the "tragic situation and the threat it poses to the entire Latin American continent" and denounced "Plan Colombia" and its call for military measures to deal with rebels of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (FARC).
Asked in a press conference following the meeting what would be done if the US government or other governments failed to acknowledge the Committee's urgings, Rev. Dr Trond Bakkevig, moderator of the Public Issues Committee, said no government responses are being sought.
"We make our statements from here, and it's up to the churches to follow that up in their countries," he said.