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World Council of Churches - Update
Contact: + 41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507 6363 media@wcc-coe.org 

For immediate release - 21/10/2004

 FROM ARMISTICE TO PEACE TREATY: CHURCHES CALL FOR RECONCILIATION BETWEEN THE
US AND NORTH KOREA, HUMANITARIAN SUPPORT WITHOUT CONDITIONS

"Reconciliation between the United States and the Democratic Peoples
Republic of Korea (DPRK) remains the key to diffusing tension in the
region," said participants in a 17-20 October consultation held under the
auspices of the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Christian
Conference of Asia (CCA) in Tozanso, Japan.

"Normalization of relations between the DPRK and the USA, and the adoption
of a non-aggression pact will provide a solid foundation for ending the
armistice and replacing it with a peace treaty," some 55 church
representatives from nine Asian countries - including North and South Korea
-, Europe, and North America affirmed in a communiqui issued at the close
of the consultation.

"Humanitarian support for food, medicine, and other inputs should be
continued by Japan, USA, and other countries without conditions attached.
Humanitarian assistance should not be abused for political ends," the
participants urged, adding that "the US and Japan should refrain from using
sanctions as a political leverage in their policy of confrontation and
isolation".

 Addressing the consultation's host country, the communiqui suggested that
"a more independent regional policy and role by Japan is essential to
create a climate for peace, security and regional stability".

Reflecting on the role of the churches, it urged participants to "encourage
the WCC and the CCA to convene a working group to build an ecumenical
network of churches, individuals and organizations interested in promoting
peace and the reunification of Korea."

The final communiqui of the consultation is available on our website
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/international/tozanso2004.html 

See also our press release of 13 October, 2004
http://www2.wcc-coe.org/pressreleasesen.nsf/index/pr-04-47.html 

The executive committee statement on Korea is available at:
http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/press_corner/korea-korea.html 

Sign up for WCC press releases at
http://onlineservices.wcc-coe.org/pressnames.nsf

Additional information: Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153  +41 79 507 6363
	 media@wcc-coe.org 

 The World Council of Churches is a fellowship of churches, now 342, in
 more than 120 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, Netherlands. Its staff is headed by
 general secretary Samuel Kobia from the Methodist church in Kenya.