wfn.org | NCC Supports Resolution Calling for End to War

["NCC News" <pjenks@ncccusa.org>]

National Council of Churches urges grassroots campaign
To call on Congress to pass bi-partisan 'end the war' resolution

New York, June 16, 2005 -- The National Council of Churches USA has welcomed
bi-partisan legislation introduced in Congress today urging President Bush
"to announce a plan for the withdrawal of all U.S. forces from Iraq by the
end of the year."

Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) and Rep. Neil Abercrombie (D-Hawaii) introduced
the legislation. 

NCC General Secretary Bob Edgar urged churches to participate in a grassroots
campaign to encourage members of Congress to support the resolution.

"The development of an exit strategy for Iraq is long overdue," Edgar said.
"It is time for the Administration to inform the American people as to when
we will leave this war-torn country. While we are pleased that this
legislation has been introduced, we call on all people of faith to contact
their Members of Congress and urge them to pass it."

In a recent op-ed piece sent to U.S. media, Edgar and two other peace
activists stressed the importance of a resolution that clarifies U.S. policy
on when the war will end.
 
"It is of the utmost importance for the U.S. Congress to make this official.
A declaration would ease growing concerns about U.S. imperial ambitions in
the region and fears that the U.S. desires to secure the region's oil fields
against the growing energy appetites of China and India," the op-ed piece
said.

The other authors of the piece are Joe Volk, Executive Director, Friends
Committee on National Legislation, and Jim Winkler, General Secretary, Board
of Church and Society, United Methodist Church.
 
According to a Gallup poll released last week, three-quarters of Americans
support a withdrawal of some or all troops starting immediately.  

"The administration's policy in Iraq is failing," said former Congressman Tom
Andrews (D-Maine). "There is no light at the end of the tunnel, only the
lights from oncoming trains in the form of daily suicide bombings and
ambushes. It is time to start bringing our men and women in uniform home."  

The NCC is part of a national coalition urging an end to the war. The
coalition, which includes MoveOn.org, True Majority, Sojourners, Working
Assets and the National Organization of Women, is planning a national
grassroots outreach campaign encouraging Members of Congress to sign onto the
bi-partisan resolution.

"Iraq's future will be determined by how the political struggle among its
factions plays out.  The U.S. military occupation only complicates, and
defers resolution of that struggle," said Susan Shaer, Executive Director of
Women's Action for New Directions.  "Meanwhile, over 1,700 American soldiers
have been killed in Iraq. Many tens of thousands of Iraqis have also died,"
she said.

"It is a truism that there are no longer any good options in Iraq," Andrews
added.	"The question is how long will U.S. policy makers pursue a failing
policy at an unacceptable cost, human and financial.  It is time the Congress
demand a plan for a phased withdrawal of U.S. forces."

Contact: NCC News, Philip E. Jenks, 212-870-2252, pjenks@ncccusa.org; Leslie
Tune, 202-544-2350, ltune@ncccusa.org