wfn.org | NCCCUSA Asks Peru's President to Avoid Violence in Hostage Situation

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

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

NCC1/16/97                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC ASKS PRESIDENT OF PERU TO AVOID VIOLENCE IN
HOSTAGE CRISIS

 NEW YORK, Jan. 16 ---- Following is the text of
a letter dated Jan. 9, 1997, from National Council
of Churches (NCC) General Secretary the Rev. Dr.
Joan Brown Campbell to the Honorable Alberto
Fujimori, President of the Republic of Peru.  Dr.
Campbell asks Mr. Fujimori to continue the path of
negotiations in settling the hostage crisis at the
compound of Japan's ambassador to Peru.

Dear Mr. President:

The National Council of the Churches of Christ
in the USA (NCCCUSA) is the expression of thirty
three Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox confessions
that bring together about forty million believers in
the United States.  The NCCCUSA has been in relation
with churches, development programs and ecumenical
organizations in Peru for more than thirty years.

We have followed closely the unfolding of
events beginning on December 17, 1996 with the
occupation of the compound of Japan's ambassador to
Peru by commandos of the Tupac Amaru Revolutionary
Movement (MRTA).    We are pleased with the prudence
exercised by your government in managing this
situation.  We are aware that the passage of time
becomes an important element of pressure for those
who are managing this crisis.  Therefore, Mr.
President, we request that your government continue
the path of negotiations and at all cost, avoid the
use of violence in settling this crisis.  We believe
that in the past few days we have seen signs of
flexibility which, if these could be broadened might
lead to a solution without shedding any blood.

As a result of the experience which we have
gained by participating in peace processes,
especially in Guatemala, we encourage the hope for a
negotiated solution to this incident that will lead
to finding ways of definitive peace in Peru.

Receive our respectful greetings,

The Rev. Dr. Joan Brown Campbell
General Secretary

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