Statement of support from U.S. religious organizations for Congreso Nacional de Paz y País, May 9, 2002

Statement of support from U.S. religious organizations for Congreso Nacional de Paz y País, May 9, 2002
STATEMENT OF US CHURCHES AND FAITH-BASED ORGANIZATIONS IN SUPPORT OF THE
NATIONAL CONGRESS FOR PEACE AND COUNTRY (CONGRESO NACIONAL POR PAZ Y PAIS) AND A CALL TO ALL COLOMBIANS AND THE
INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY TO COMMIT TO A NEGOTIATED SETTLEMENT OF CONFLICT

As churches and faith based organizations of the United States, we wish to offer our support and solidarity for this historic National Peace Conference, May 9-11, 2002 as you meet to discuss alternatives to war. As people who have worked with many of you over the years to protect and foster human rights, curb violence, support civil society initiatives for peace, assist displaced people and refugees, and promote social and economic development and education, we are convinced that the only solution Colombia' s decades old war is a peaceful negotiated solution. We are well aware that the United States support for a military solution to the conflict, first through the "drug war" and more recently through the war on terrorism, only leads to increased violence against civilians, displacement, and environmental degradation. We commit ourselves to working for a change in this policy.

Today, more than 2 million Colombians are displaced from their homes, and nearly 7,200 die violent deaths. Since the breakdown of the peace process in February, the violence has spread into additional regions of the country. We unequivocally condemn the violence perpetrated by all of the armed actors and lament with you, our Colombian brothers and sisters, the tremendous loss of life which you have experienced.

Colombian civil society, churches, and faith-based organizations are committed to finding a peaceful political negotiated solution to the conflict. You have developed proposals for seeking peace and have made efforts and advances along this path. The national Congress for Peace is another step forward. We stand with you in this endeavor. As people of faith we call on our government to support this peaceful initiative. We affirm your work to transform the conditions and relationships in Colombia that threaten to overwhelm what is precious in human beings. Our faith tells us that:

· The conflict can be resolved via non-violent means;
· Strife, can be turned into cooperation;
· Poverty, into well-being;
· And injustice, into dignity and participation.

We stand with you and will advocate with the US government for:

· Increased support for the peace process;
· Decreased military aid and training that continues to fuel the fires of the armed conflict;
· Increased support for alternative development programs and displaced peoples;
· Increased support to strengthen the justice system and respect for human rights and international humanitarian law.

Through our prayers, advocacy and actions, we stand in solidarity with you as you strive for peace in Colombia. May God be with you.
Rev. Elenora Giddings Ivory
Director, Washington Office
Presbyterian Church, USA

David Radcliff
Director, Brethren Witness
Church of the Brethren General Board

Greg Davidson Laszakovits
Coordinator, Church of the Brethren Washington Office

Kathy Thornton, RSM
NETWORK, A National Catholic Social Justice Lobby

Lisa Wright
Washington Office
Church World Service

Brenda Girton-Mitchell
Associate General Secretary for Public Witness
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Rev. Bob Edgar
General Secretary
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Rev. Oscar Bolioli
Associate General Secretary for International Affairs
National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA

Susanne Riveles
Director, Education and Advocacy for International Justice and Human Rights
Program
Church World Service

Rev. John L. McCullough
Executive Director
Church World Service

Jean Stokan,]
Policy Director,
SHARE Foundation

Susan Saudek
Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church
Baltimore Maryland
Peace and Justice Committee

Marie Dennis
Director
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns

Harry van der Linden
President
Indianapolis Peace and Justice Center

Kathryn Wolford,
President,
Lutheran World Relief

The Rev. John H. Thomas
General Minister and President
United Church of Christ

Steven Bennett
Executive Director
Witness for Peace

Scott Wright
Program Director
EPICA

Sister Alice Zachmann
Director
Guatemala Human Rights Commission\USA

Tony Vento
Program Director
Pax Christi USA

Bruce Wilkinson
Vice President,
World Vision International Programs Group

Susan Saudek,
Policy Associate
SHARE Foundation, Building a New El Salvador Today.

David Lamarre-
Vincent, Director,
New Hampshire Council of Churches

Len Bjorkman
Chairperson
Presbyterian Peace Fellowship

Fr. David Moczulski, OFM
Executive Director
Franciscan Washington Office for Latin America

David Johnson
The SHARE Foundation, El Salvador