wfn.org | Bishop Visits with Sierra Leone First Lady

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"UNITED METHODIST DAILY NEWS 97" by SUSAN PEEK on April 15, 1997 at 14:24
Eastern, about DAILY NEWS RELEASES FROM UNITED METHODIST NEWS SERVICE (319
notes).

Note 317 by UMNS on Sept. 16, 1997 at 08:50 Eastern (2154 characters).

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CONTACT: Thomas S. McAnally                    505(10-31-71B){317}
         Nashville, Tenn. (615) 742-5470            Sept. 15, 1997

Bishop May visits with first lady of Sierra Leone,
calls on U.S. to support restoration of democracy there

                 by United Methodist News Service

     After a Sept. 12 visit in Washington with the first lady of
Sierra Leone, United Methodist Bishop Felton E. May issued a
statement urging the Clinton Administration and all Americans to
support the restoration of democracy in the West African country.
     May, leader of the church's Baltimore-Washington Conference,
praised first lady Patricia Kabbah as a "remarkable woman" whose
service to her country has been "extraordinary."  
     "I am proud to stand with her and urge our government to step
up diplomatic activity to end the coup and seek ways to strengthen
the blockade that has been imposed by the West African regional
peace-keeping force (EACOMOG) to keep arms from flowing to the
rebels," May said.
     Ahman Tejan Kabbah was elected president of Sierra Leone in
1996 in an election described as free and fair by international
observers.  In May of this year an uprising of junior military
officers forced the president to flee to neighboring Guinea.
     The rebels then engaged in a rampage of looting, murder, rape
and destruction, prompting tens of thousands of Sierra Leone
citizens to flee.  The international community has been unanimous
in condemning the coup and the U.S. Congress has passed a
resolution demanding the restoration of the Kabbah government.
     In his Sept. 12 statement, May urged United Methodists "and
all those who care about democracy and peace" to contribute to the
relief of those who have been victims of the violence.
     Contributions may be made through United Methodist Committee
on Relief (Advance Special 982350-8, designated "Sierra Leone").
                              #  #  #
     

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