wfn.org | WCC calls for peacekeepers

["WCC Media" <Media@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
News Flash 
For immediate release NF-03-14
13 June 2003

WCC calls for peace-keepers in Liberia	

World Council of Churches' (WCC) general secretary Rev. Dr Konrad Raiser has
today sent a letter to United Nations' (UN) secretary-general Kofi Annan
expressing serious concern at the escalation of fighting in Liberia between
government forces and the rebel group, Liberians United For Reconciliation
and Democracy. Citing the "gravity of the near-anarchy situation that has
developed", Raiser calls on the UN to support current peace initiatives and
encourage the parties to accept a "credible peacekeeping force", with the aim
of securing a lasting ceasefire.

Raiser also sent a letter to Benjamin D. Lartey, general secretary of the
Liberian Council of Churches, commending his participation, on behalf of the
churches', in the Liberian Peace Conference in Accra that opened on 4 June,
and expressing the hope that this peace initiative "will bring an end to the
fighting and to the prolonged sufferings of the people".  

Full text of letter to the UN Secretary General:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/liberialet1.html 
Full text of letter to the Liberian Council of Churches:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/liberialet2.html 

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