wfn.org | NCC LETTER TO WARREN CHRISTOPHER ON LEBANON

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

38NCC4/19/96            FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

 NEW YORK, April 19 ---- Top officials of the
National Council of Churches today sent the
following letter to U.S. Secretary of State Warren
Christopher on Lebanon:

April 19, 1996

Secretary of State Warren Christopher
The State Department
2201 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20520

Dear Mr. Secretary,

The National Council of Churches of Christ in the
USA and its member churches have watched with pain
as the downward spiral of retaliatory violence once
again engulfs the nation of Lebanon.  The rocket and
mortar attacks of Hizbollah upon northern Israel
have forced thousands to flee for safety.  In
Lebanon, the bombing and shelling by the Israeli
Defense Forces have wreaked havoc upon the civilian
population.

We deplore these new attacks on Israel by Hizbollah
and call upon all of their supporters to work with
them to renew the ceasefire which the recent
shelling has broken.  We urge all parties in Lebanon
to support the processes for peace in the region.

We also regret the manner in which Israel has chosen
to respond to the attacks from Hizbollah. The vast
majority of casualties have been non-combatant
civilians, including many children.  The destruction
of homes, workplaces, and infrastructure has been
widespread.  The loss of nearly 100 lives during the
shelling of the United Nations base at Qana  is the
heartrending.

These attacks not only destabilize Lebanon, just now
beginning to recover from years of civil war, but
also further undermine the credibility and public
support of the peace process throughout the region.

Peace in Lebanon cannot be fully restored unless its
independence and sovereignty are respected and the
UN Security Council Resolution 425 is implemented.

We urge the U.S. government to press for an
immediate ceasefire to prevent further loss of life,
and to use its good auspices to realize a lasting
peace.

 We urge both Lebanese and Israelis not to be drawn
further into a cycle of hatred and revenge, but
instead to repair the wounds of war and seek
whatever things may make for peace.

 We offer our prayers for all the people of Israel
and Lebanon who have suffered as the result of these
new hostilities.  May God grant a healing of their
wounds, an end to the scourge of war, and a lasting
peace.

Yours sincerely,

The Rt. Rev. Melvin Talbert, President
Rev. (Dr.) Joan Brown Campbell, General Secretary
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.

-0-