wfn.org | Normalize Relations With Cuba, NCC Head Says; Interview Ops

["Nat'l Council of Churches" <nccc_usa@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
NCC5/20/02

U.S. CHURCHES FAVOR NORMALIZING RELATIONS WITH CUBA
INTERVIEW AVAILABILITY: NCC GENERAL SECRETARY BOB EDGAR

WHO:

The Rev. Dr. Robert W. Edgar, General Secretary, National Council of
Churches, whose 36 Protestant, Orthodox and Anglican member denominations
comprise 50 million U.S. Christians.

The NCC favors lifting the U.S. embargo against Cuba and normalizing
relations between the two countries.  Engagement, contends Dr. Edgar and the
Council, is the best way to improve human rights in Cuba.  The blockade has
failed.

The NCC has maintained a relationship with Cubas churches since before the
Revolution.  It is an eyewitness to the Cuban churches increasing freedom
to worship and provide humanitarian service among the Cuban people.

The NCC helped facilitate former President Jimmy Carters two-hour meeting
with 33 Cuban church leaders last week (May 15) in Havana.

Dr. Edgar - NCC General Secretary (the top staff post) since January 1,
2000 - served in Congress from 1975 to 1987, representing Pennsylvanias
Seventh District.  From 1990 to 2000 he was president of Claremont
Theological School, Claremont, Calif.  He is an ordained elder in the United
Methodist Church.

HOW TO CONTACT DR. EDGAR:

Call the NCC Communication Department, 212-870-2252/2227.
Or, call Dr. Edgar on his cellphone, 917-821-0852.

NOTES:

Dr. Edgar is available in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 20, through
Wednesday, May 22.   If you get his voicemail, you should hear back from him
within an hour or two max.  Dr. Edgar will be available in New York City
Thursday, May 23, and Friday, May 24.

-end-