wfn.org | Peacemaking symbols are important, too

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06-July-1996 
 
GA96096 
 
                Peacemaking symbols are important, too 
 
ALBUQUERQUE - A set of five finely woven, nested baskets presented by 
Overseas Delegate and Peacemaking committee member Andre Karamaga of Rwanda 
reminded the Assembly  that "we can be one basket, each included in the 
other, each accepting the responsibility to carry each other in the 
struggle for life."  Moderator Emily Wigger of the committee on Peacemaking 
and International Justice shared the significance of the gift with 
commissioners just prior to presenting the lengthy agenda they approved 
Friday evening. 
 
     Commissioners approved a three part, 35-page report, including a 
consent agenda (part one) reaffirming the Commitment to Peacemaking,  the 
church's commitment to concern for those in need, resolutions in continued 
support to UNICEF and recognizing that agency's 50th birthday, and 
acceptance of responses to last year's peacemaking actions. 
 
     Part two dealt with human rights in various parts of the world and 
included overture 122 from Riverside Presbytery urging the Peoples Republic 
of China, through governmental channels, to adhere to international human 
rights standards. Also included was commissioners' resolution 11, 
requesting investigation of both human rights conditions in Tibet and the 
whereabouts of the young boy, recently missing, who is designated to be 
Panchen Lama. Commissioners' resolution 34, also approved, recognized the 
statement of conscience sponsored by the National Association of 
Evangelicals, along with various freedom of religion efforts of other 
bodies and referred them with other issues of religious persecution to the 
Worldwide Ministries Division for study and further action. 
 
    Part three grouped carefully written resolutions approved unanimously 
in committee and by 87 percent of commissioners. These included responses 
to overture 26 and commissioners' resolution 28: 
 
     *   recognition of Rich Killmer, until January of 1996 coordinator of 
the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program; 
 
     *   continuing support of a comprehensive test ban treaty, the 
strategic arms reduction treaty, and the process of completing ratification 
of the chemical weapons treaty, along with efforts to further the abolition 
of nuclear weapons; 
 
     *   seeking to increase humanitarian measures that could alleviate the 
suffering of the Iraqi people due to U.N. sanctions imposed on that nation; 
these could be accomplished through the "just peace" study process, 
provision of background information to congregations for study, urging the 
UN to consider modifying the sanctions, commending and cooperating with 
efforts of the Middle East Council of Churches, and enhancing contact and 
relationships with the Evangelical Churches of Iraq; 
 
     *  adoption of  "Concerns for the Arab-Israeli Peace Process," a 
report of the Worldwide Ministries Division, to which comment was added to 
"convey to the Israeli people the Assembly's thanks to God for the courage 
and commitment to peace of the late Prime Minister Rabin and continued 
prayers for the peace process. 
 
     Three times commissioners objected to the process of quick approval of 
committee recommendations, on the basis of either financial  or conscience 
concerns. They were quickly assured by both committee members and leaders 
of the careful editing done on all documents in the interest of fairness, 
openness and diplomacy, and the entire report was accepted without lengthy 
discussion or debate. 
 
 
Midge Mack 

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