wfn.org | WCC Executive Committee statement on Zimbabwe

["Sheila Mesa" <smm@wcc-coe.org>]

World Council of Churches
Press Release, PR-01-33
For Immediate Use
14 September 2001

WCC Executive Committee concerned about deteriorating economic
and social situation in Zimbabwe

At its closing session on Friday, 14 September, the Executive
Committee of the World Council of Churches (WCC) issued a
statement in support of a "Pastoral Letter to the Nation" by the
Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC).  

In the letter, issued in late August this year, the ZCC said
that Zimbabwe had reached a critical moment in its history; a
point at which the truth needs to be spoken without fear or
favour, and an open national dialogue on the crucial issues
facing Zimbabwe undertaken.  

The WCC Executive Committee expressed its deep appreciation to
the ZCC and the church leaders for the pastoral letter: "It is
noteworthy that the church leaders have chosen to assume
responsibility for their own national situation, and have made
little reference to those outside Zimbabwe's borders whose impact
is continually felt in this land. It is crucial, however, that
the international community also take the churches' words to
heart. Threats of further economic sanctions or to suspend all
foreign aid until after the 2002 presidential elections could
well impair the national dialogue and push Zimbabwe over the
edge."  

The text of the statement follows:

"The Executive Committee of the World Council of Churches,
meeting in Geneva, 11-14 September 2001, expresses its deep
appreciation to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches and to the
church leaders for the Pastoral Letter to the Nation made public
in Harare in late August of this year.  

The member churches of the WCC have become increasingly
concerned about the deteriorating economic and social situation
in Zimbabwe and the rising tide of violence there. Part of this
violence has been instigated by the encouragement given by the
government of Zimbabwe to the War Veterans to occupy white-owned
commercial farms.  These invasions have claimed many lives of
both white and black citizens.  Compounding this violence were
widespread acts of political intimidation in the months before
the 2000 parliamentary elections.  These have continued almost
unabated. Early this year, the War Veterans began to attack and
occupy private businesses.   

Pressures applied by international financial institutions for
structural adjustments of Zimbabwe's economy have exacerbated the
impact on the people of the nation by further undermining the
social welfare system and public health services at a time when
the HIV/AIDS pandemic had already stretched it to the limits.  

Zimbabwe's African neighbours and others around the world have
been deeply troubled by all these developments in this nation
that they had regarded to be a model of how racial tolerance,
economic development and political democracy can contribute to a
successful transition from colonial rule.  

The WCC has a deep and long-standing attachment to the people of
this land and to their churches.  This began during the period of
colonial rule, continued through the struggle for independence,
has been sustained in the years since, and was renewed with the
holding of the Eighth WCC Assembly in Harare in December 1998.  

The ZCC pastoral letter reflects our concerns and has been
issued at a critical time.  Its urgent call for an open national
dialogue on the crucial issues facing the country was warmly
welcomed by the people of Zimbabwe.  It makes clear and
constructive recommendations on ways to lead the society as a
whole away from the brink of self-destruction.  These are
addressed to the government, all political parties, the private
sector and civil society as a whole.  We sincerely hope that no
particular addressee, especially the government and the ruling
party, will view it as an attack on them or their institutions;
but rather that all will welcome the church leaders' offer to
facilitate the national dialogue and cooperate with them in
pursuit of non-violent approaches to conflict transformation.   

It is noteworthy that the church leaders have chosen to assume
responsibility for their own national situation, and have made
little reference to those outside Zimbabwe's borders whose impact
is continually felt in this land.  It is crucial, however, that
the international community also take the churches' words to
heart.  Threats of further economic sanctions or to suspend all
foreign aid until after the 2002 presidential elections could
well impair the national dialogue and push Zimbabwe over the
edge.   

We therefore commend the approach taken by the recent
Commonwealth meeting in Abuja, Nigeria. It recognizes the fact
that 'Land is at the core of the crisis in Zimbabwe and cannot be
separated from other issues of concern...such as the rule of law,
respect for human rights, democracy and the economy.  A programme
of land reform is, therefore, crucial to the resolution of the
problem'.   

Zimbabweans are capable of restoring responsible governance, the
rule of law and the democratic process in their country, and can
put in place a responsible process of land reform that will do
justice to all involved.  They cannot, however, do this alone. 
International financial institutions, and especially those
governments that made financial commitments to facilitate a fair
process of peaceful land redistribution during the Lancaster
House independence negotiations, must fully assume their
obligations as well.  In Abuja, the United Kingdom renewed  its
commitment.  We hope that the USA will follow suit. Without these
nations' assistance and the understanding and help of the
international community, the nation will remain in jeopardy.  

We continue to pray fervently that the people of Zimbabwe, their
government, political parties and civil society as a whole will
heed the call of the churches now, before it is too late.  May
God continue to bless and guide Zimbabwe in this critical hour of
need."  

For further information, please contact Karin Achtelstetter,
Media Relations Officer, Tel.:  (+41.22) 791.61.53   Mobile: 
(+41) 79.284.52.12

**********
The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a fellowship of churches,
now 342, in more than 100 countries in all continents from
virtually all Christian traditions. The Roman Catholic Church is
not a member church but works cooperatively with the WCC. The
highest governing body is the assembly, which meets approximately
every seven years. The WCC was formally inaugurated in 1948 in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Its staff is headed by general
secretary Konrad Raiser from the Evangelical Church in Germany.

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