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[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

NCCCUSA Statement on Nobel Peace Prize
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Internet: c/o carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

10/10/97  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC STATEMENT ON THE AWARD OF THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE TO
THE INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO BAN LANDMINES

 NEW YORK, Oct. 10 ---- Officials of the National 
Council of Churches (NCC) celebrated today the award of the 
Nobel Peace Prize to the International Campaign to Ban 
Landmines.  The NCC has been a member of the Campaign since 
1992 through its relief, development and refugee assistance 
ministry, Church World Service.

 "Those of us in the religious community have long felt 
the pain of people who have lost life and limb through the 
scourge of landmines," said the Rev. Dr. Joan Brown 
Campbell, NCC General Secretary.  "We rejoice in this prize 
and hope it will compel the United States and other nations 
that have not yet agreed to sign the ban treaty in Ottowa in 
December to join this life-saving effort."

 Dr. Campbell is one of several prominent religious 
leaders who have steadfastly voiced their support for this 
campaign, including Pope John Paul II, Archbishop Desmond 
Tutu, the Dalai Lama and the late Mother Theresa.

 On behalf of the NCC, Church World Service has played a 
leading role in advocacy to ban landmines as well as 
providing programs to protect people from landmines.  Some 
of CWS's efforts include:
  A nationwide petition drive calling on President 
Clinton to support a ban.
  Landmine removal and mine awareness education in 
Cambodia.
  Support for landmine survivors, including 
prosthetics, in Mozambique.
  Processing and returning refugees in war-torn lands.
  Production of a new video entitled, "Landmines: 
Overcoming a Lethal Legacy."
  Contributing more than $2 million toward this work 
on behalf of related churches and initiating a new 
appeal to continue these efforts.

 "When I was in Cambodia, they told me that their 
country was being demined one leg at a time," said the Rev. 
Dr. Rodney Page, CWS Director.  "The Nobel Peace Prize is a 
fitting tribute to those who have lost their lives and the 
survivors who have inspired the Campaign's tireless efforts 
to allow future generations to walk the earth free of the 
fear of landmines."

-end-

 For more information about CWS and landmines, see the 
CWS webpage at www.ncccusa.org/cws
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