wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Caucasus: Ecumenical bodies call for ceasefire, negotiations and urgent relief

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

World Council of Churches - News Release

Contact: +41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org

>For immediate release - 12/08/2008 16:00:04

ECUMENICAL BODIES CALL FOR CEASEFIRE, NEGOTIATIONS AND URGENT
RELIEF IN THE CAUCASUS REGION

>Jointly issued by WCC and CEC

A public statement from the World Council of Churches (WCC) and
the Conference of European Churches (CEC) has called for prayers
and assistance for those affected by the recent conflict in the
Caucasus. The war began five days ago and despite its brevity has
already killed hundreds of people, displaced thousands others and
severely damaged homes, buildings and property in several cities.

The statement issued today by the WCC and CEC expressed alarm
and distress at the violent events of recent days in the
Caucasus. "The use of force in the dispute over South Ossetia and
Abkhazia has cost the precious lives of civilians and soldiers,
risks destabilizing a fragile region, and reawakens deep fears
there and far beyond" the statement reads.

The statement affirmed the interventions of the Russian Orthodox
Church, the Georgian Orthodox Church as well as the Evangelical
Baptist Church of Georgia, all of which have called for a
ceasefire, a negotiated solution to the conflict and urgent
relief for those affected. 

"We encourage churches around the world to support these sister
churches and the international ecumenical emergency appeal
initiated by Action by Churches Together," the statement says.
"The well being of people who have fled their homes and of those
whose homes have been destroyed must be a high priority in the
coming days."

The joint WCC-CEC statement also calls for “military forces to
return to positions held before the current violence." It affirms
that "it is fitting that Europe gives leadership in making
peace." It calls on the United Nations to "ensure the territorial
integrity and political independence of Georgia in accordance
with the UN Charter and by collective action of the UN Security
Council." 

The statement adds that "authorities who resorted to the use of
force are to be held accountable for the loss of life they have
caused."

The full text of the WCC-CEC statement is available at:
http://www.oikoumene.org/?id=6188

>Action by Churches Together:
>http://act-intl.org

Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507
6363media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith,
witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical
fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings
together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches
representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110
countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic
Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from
the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.