wfn.org | Presiding Bishop urges humanitarian, not military, option in Iraq

[ENS.parti@ecunet.org (ENS)]

February 27, 1998
Episcopal News Service
James Solheim, Director
(212) 922-5385
jsolheim@dfms.org

98-3009
Presiding Bishop urges humanitarian, not military, option in Iraq

	(ENS)  Presiding Bishop Frank T. Griswold joined other religious leaders
and the National Council of Churches in signing a letter urging President
Clinton to seek a humanitarian solution to the crisis in Iraq. 
	The NCC letter urges Clinton to "continue diplomacy patiently, even doggedly.
Insist on UN compliance but practice restraint. Pursue a humanitarian, not a
military, option." Endorsed by the NCC's executive board, the letter said
"unleashing the awesome USA arsenal . . . clearly announces the failure of
diplomacy," and suggests that a decision to "use muscle is the suspect
equivalent of belligerence, always morally ambiguous."
	The religious leaders, led by NCC president Bishop Craig Anderson, told
Clinton they "respectfully offer counsel rooted in the experience and the
deeply held commitments of numerous religious communities." Their advice:
"Resist. The lure of military muscle is sometimes a false attraction."
	Noting that historically some churches have supported "defensive use of
military power, and even its deterrent value in a sinful world," the religious
leaders added, "We have however never supported its 'first strike' use. We
cannot support it now."

Griswold cites Muslim prayer
	Griswold said in his statement that he endorses the NCC policy and encourages
"drawing Iraq back to the family of nations through aggressive relief to the
Iraqi people, rather than continuing a policy of isolation." 
	"Some time ago I came across an editorial note in a small collection of
Muslim prayers," Griswold wrote. "Muhammad Kamil Husain published in 1954 a
remarkable study of the arrest and suffering of Jesus and what he saw as the
significance of Good Friday for the Muslim . . .It studies the dilemma of
Jesus' disciples after Gethsemane, and the chapter ends as follows:
	"'They called upon God in these words: O God, guide those who preside over
human affairs that they . . . do not inflict on others wrongs that are
immediate and concrete for the sake of something supposedly and ultimately
good for society. For this is the origin of man's tragic trouble and the
source of the evil within him'"
	"Would that all Muslims, all Jews and Christians might pray this prayer with
fervor and understanding: all Muslims, all Jews and all Christians who worship
one God."
	Griswold also noted that his endorsement is based on a number of sources,
including Archbishop of Canterbury George Carey's recent statement calling for
a diplomatic solution while urging the Iraqi government to accept the UN
mandates as a necessary contribution to a peaceful outcome. Carey's statement
was commended by the Episcopal Church's Executive Council meeting last week in
San Jose, California.

Heightened tensions
	The NCC and Griswold's statement come at time of escalating tensions in the
Middle East as U.S. and British forces gather in the Persian Gulf, preparing
for coordinated, massive air strikes against suspected Iraqi weapons
facilities.
At the same time, United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan and other
diplomats are in Iraq attempting to broker a last-minute, peaceful settlement to the
Iraqi stalemate over UN inspections of suspected Iraqi chemical and biological weapons installations.
	The NCC letter also recognizes the advice of the Middle East Council of
Churches "informed by their life in the threatened region." The MECC advised:
"Seek a solution based in peace, not war; in diplomacy, not violence. Iraq is
not the only nation which has defied UN mandates without confronting military
reprisal. Negotiations must continue."
	The American Muslim Council also has warned "of the danger of turning world
opinion against the U.S. instead of destabilizing the repressive regime of
Saddam Hussein. Further, it questions the effectiveness of air strikes in
achieving any resolution . . . except for inflicting suffering on the
innocent."

Morally defensible war?
	The NCC asks, "is there a morally defensible course of action that can offer
U.S. policy the 'high ground'? We believe the key lies in allowing the Iraqi
people to see the United States and the community of nations as compassionate
friends, not agents of injury, threat and pain. The demoralizing portrayal of
the United States by the Iraqi government will only be confirmed by resorting
to military action.
	"Alternatively, an aggressive humanitarian embrace of the Iraqi people offers
a resolution through compassion and puts forward a sign of hope," the NCC
said. "It is not too late for such a course and it can be pursued at a fraction of the cost of war. . . It promises to draw Iraq back into the family of nations in place of greater isolation and disrespect. It offers healing not further hurt. It conforms to the best in the hearts of the American people."
	Endorsing a Mennonite proposal of a "massive effort to provide medicine and
food for starving and sick Iraqi people," the NCC suggests that if U.S. bombers delivered aid instead of bombs, it would offer the president the moral "high ground" he seeks. "We believe such a massive humanitarian response is possible" and is a vision "with practical and strategic possibility."
	The NCC's final words for President Clinton were succinct: "Pursue diplomacy.
Urge Iraqi compliance. Resist the military option. Offer aid and healing.
Build peace."

Photographs available in this issue of ENS:

1. `Drop in a bucket' raises $1,000 (98-2097)
2. Presiding Bishop experiences booming Hispanic congregation in San Jose (98-2097)
3. Mordecai named administrator at church center (98-2098)
4. Episcopal Church responds to tornado damage in Florida (98-2099)
5. Griswold, Massachusetts bishops issue statements on Iraq (98-3000)
6. Griswold addresses Urban Caucus on the spiritual issue of racism (98-3000)
7. Small groups form core of Domestic Missionary Program meeting (98-3001)
8. Presiding Bishop Griswold welcomes Russian Orthodox archbishop (98-3003)
9. Rwandan church rises to `new day' after genocide (98-3005)
10. Wintertalk gathering honors Owanah Anderson (98-3006)
11. Denver congregations take steps to bridge racial gap (98-3007)
12. Griswold affirms religious life in Cincinnati visit (98-3008)
13. Cincinnati religious community celebrates centennial (98-3008)

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