U.S. Faith Leaders Press Pres. Bush to Support Historic Peace Talks
WASHINGTON D.C. – A coalition of 19 leaders of major religious organizations in America has sent a letter to President Bush today, urging the U.S. Government to support historic peace talks currently underway to end the twenty year war in northern Uganda. In their letter, the religious leaders call on the Bush Administration to give "serious and sustained attention" to the peace process.
"We encourage the U.S. government to use all diplomatic means available to hold accountable the parties engaged in the process,” the leaders state. “These negotiations offer a crucial opportunity to end longstanding violence and massive displacement in the region, and to prompt healing for people long suffering the trauma of conflict." Despite concerns that indictments released by the International Criminal Court would be circumvented by a peace deal, the religious leaders joined their counterparts in northern Uganda in calling for peace to be the immediate priority. “For the war-weary people of northern Uganda, an end to the hostilities is the beginning of justice and reconciliation.”
In March, the White House announced that ending the war in northern Uganda by the end of 2006 was a priority, though Administration officials have not sent a delegation to monitor negotiations. Many fear that U.S. ambivalence toward the talks may undermine this crucial opportunity to end one of the world’s worst humanitarian nightmares. The letter also urges the Bush Administration to make greater funds available for the safe return of displaced peoples and reconstruction of northern Uganda. Signatories include the leaders of World Vision, Church World Service, American Jewish World Service, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and the Episcopal Church.
"We encourage the U.S. government to use all diplomatic means available to hold accountable the parties engaged in the process,” the leaders state. “These negotiations offer a crucial opportunity to end longstanding violence and massive displacement in the region, and to prompt healing for people long suffering the trauma of conflict." Despite concerns that indictments released by the International Criminal Court would be circumvented by a peace deal, the religious leaders joined their counterparts in northern Uganda in calling for peace to be the immediate priority. “For the war-weary people of northern Uganda, an end to the hostilities is the beginning of justice and reconciliation.”
In March, the White House announced that ending the war in northern Uganda by the end of 2006 was a priority, though Administration officials have not sent a delegation to monitor negotiations. Many fear that U.S. ambivalence toward the talks may undermine this crucial opportunity to end one of the world’s worst humanitarian nightmares. The letter also urges the Bush Administration to make greater funds available for the safe return of displaced peoples and reconstruction of northern Uganda. Signatories include the leaders of World Vision, Church World Service, American Jewish World Service, the National Association of Evangelicals, the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America, and the Episcopal Church.