wfn.org | Ease restrictions on aid to Cuba, church leaders urge

["Cathy Hinkle"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

Date: September 16, 1998
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
Email: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

Office of Communication
United Church of Christ
Hans Holznagel
(216) 736-2214
holznagh@ucc.org
On the Web: www.ucc.org

Office of Communication
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)      
Clifford L. Willis
(317) 635-3113, ext. 207
cwillis@oc.disciples.org
On the Web:  www.disciples.org

98c-57

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- With legislation due to arrive in the U. S. 
Senate within the next few weeks, the leaders of the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ) and the United Church of Christ are urging the 
Senate to ease restrictions on the sale of food and medicine to 
Cuba.

	The Rev. Richard L. Hamm, general minister and president of the 
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and the Rev. Paul H. Sherry, 
United Church of Christ president, sent a letter Sept. 11 to U.S. 
Senators asking their support of the Dodd/Warner bill. The bill 
(S.1391) would restore President Clinton's authority to permit the 
sale of food and medicine to Cuba, a step, the letter states, which 
should be taken "not only for humanitarian reasons, but also as a 
step in the development of a more constructive relationship with 
Cuba."

	Citing the witness of their partner churches in Cuba to view, 
first-hand, the effects of the embargo, the letter further states 
that "(o)ne need not be a supporter of the current Castro government 
to believe that the embargo's devastating impact on the Cuban 
population is wrong.

	"Studies indicate that the embargo has reduced the daily food intake 
of Cuban people by as much as a third since 1989," the leaders 
continue, "which, along with the limited availability of medicines, 
has caused severe health problems, especially among pregnant women, 
children, and the elderly." 

	The Council of Churches of Cuba, the Catholic Bishops of Cuba and 
the Cuban Jewish community also support an end to the embargo.

	With the letter, Sherry and Hamm are asking legislators to "seize 
the legislative opportunity that may be available in this session of 
Congress to begin a more humane and compassionate relationship with 
the people of Cuba."

	The UCC's General Synod and the Disciples' General Assembly have 
gone on record in opposition to the economic embargo against Cuba. In 
the UCC's and Disciples' systems, the Synod and Assembly are 
churchwide decision-making bodies that meet every two years. Synod 
and Assembly resolutions are not binding on other settings of the 
church. Members, congregations and regional bodies are free to hold 
differing opinions.

	Here is the full text of the letter sent Sept. 11 by the Rev.Richard 
L. Hamm, general minister and president of the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ), and  Rev. Paul H. Sherry, president of the 
United Church of Christ.

	"During the coming weeks the United States will be considering 
legislation to ease the embargo against Cuba. The General Assembly of 
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in   1973, 1993 and 1997, 
and the General Synod of the United Church of Christ in 1993 have 
opposed the economic embargo against Cuba. On the basis of that 
policy, both churches strongly support the easing of restrictions on 
the sale of food and medicine to Cuba, not only for humanitarian 
reasons, but also as a step in the development of a more constructive 
relationship with Cuba. Therefore, we hope you will support the 
Dodd/Warner legislation as it comes to the Senate for consideration.

           "Our concern stems from the witness of our partners in 
Cuba. Our churches relate closely to the Council of Churches in Cuba, 
an ecumenical body composed of 19 Protestant denominations and 10 
ecumenical movements, as well as to the Pentecostal Christian Church 
of Cuba. In the context of that relationship we have had numerous 
opportunities to view first hand the effects of the embargo. Since 
1994 the Council of Churches of Cuba has called for an end to the 
United States blockade of Cuba, citing the significant health impact 
the embargo has had on the Cuban people. This call for an end to the 
blockade is shared by the Catholic Bishops of Cuba and by the Cuban 
Jewish community.

          "One need not be a supporter of the current Castro 
government to believe that the embargo's devastating impact on the 
Cuban population is wrong. Studies indicate that the embargo has 
reduced the daily food intake of Cuban people by as much as a third 
since 1989 which, along with the limited availability of medicines, 
has caused severe health problems, especially among pregnant women, 
children, and the elderly. The impoverishment of Cuban citizens 
resulting from the embargo must be ended. 

         "As leaders of two churches who relate ecumenically to many 
Christians in Cuba, and who for years have joined ecumenical partners 
in the United States in calling for an end to this punishing embargo, 
we urge you to seize the legislative opportunity that may be 
available in this session of Congress to begin a more humane and 
compassionate relationship with the people of Cuba."

-- end --

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