U.S Churches Commend Rice's Decision to Meet with Syria and Iran;
Urge Attention to Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

The Board members of Churches for Middle East Peace (CMEP) have sent a letter to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice applauding her decision to participate in meetings sponsored by the government of Iraq that will include Syria and Iran. The letter signers reflect on CMEP Board members and staff travels to Syria and Iran and their meetings with government officials as well as Christian and Muslim religious leaders. Encouraging a broadening of the diplomatic engagement of the United States, the letter recommends the United States "look to the growing indigenous pressure for reform as the change agent of good governance in Syria and Iran" and "engage with those currently in positions of power." 

The letter urges that this meeting be the first step in diplomacy with Iran and Syria to deal with other outstanding issues. "Active diplomacy, accompanied by stated support for peacemaking and respect for the United Nations and international treaties, could restore much of the goodwill that the United States once enjoyed."

In the context of a political process on the future of Iraq, the letter signers "encourage the U.S. government to announce it will, in consultation with Iraq's leaders and neighbors, develop a plan to work toward full military disengagement."

CMEP also urges Sec. Rice's urgent and sustained attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and affirms the Iraq Study Group's linkage of this conflict to all key issues in the Middle East. "We agree with the findings of the Iraq Study Group that ‘the only basis on which peace can be achieved is that set forth in UN Security Council Resolutions 242 and 338 and in the principle of land for peace.'"

The letter was faxed to contacts at the State Department and National Security Council and will be delivered soon to all Congressional offices. 

 Complete text of letter
 Letter in PDF Format
Contact Information for your  Senators and  Representative.

Churches for Middle East Peace is a Washington-based coalition of 22 US churches and church-related agencies - Orthodox, Catholic and Protestants - that advocates in support of U.S. policies conducive to peacemaking.                                                                   

Formed in 1984, Churches for Middle East Peace is a Washington-based program of the Alliance of Baptists, American Friends Service Committee, Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Armenian Orthodox Church, Catholic Conference of Major Superiors of Men's Institutes, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Church of the Brethren, Church World Service, Episcopal Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Franciscan Friars OFM (English Speaking Conference, JPIC Council), Friends Committee on National Legislation, Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America, Maryknoll Missioners, Mennonite Central Committee, Moravian Church in America, National Council of Churches, Presbyterian Church (USA), Reformed Church in America, Unitarian Universalist Association, United Church of Christ, and the United Methodist Church (GBCS & GBGM).