Jordan Times
Sunday, November 11, 2001
Council of Churches urges UN to deal with causes of terrorism
AMMAN (AFP) — The Council of Churches has urged the United Nations to ease Third World debts and find a fair solution to the Palestinian issue amid efforts to eradicate global terrorism.The statement was published in the press on the eve of the UN General Assembly session in New York, and a copy was sent to UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.
“There are many reasons that led some to resort to violence and terror ... including the oppression faced by some people in the Third World, poverty, hunger and ignorance,” the statement said.
“Guaranteeing justice puts an end to oppression, and providing a dignified life to poor people is one of the most successful ways of putting an end to terrorism,” the statement said.
“The international community must work seriously to solve the sensitive causes in the world, particularly when the strong trample the weak, destroy their homes, confiscate their land... as is the case with the Palestinians.”
The church leaders urged the UN “to solve the causes of terrorism by easing the Third World's debt so that these countries can provide their citizens with job opportunities and a dignified life.”
They said the “United Nations and the superpowers can achieve a lot” by respecting the implementation of international resolutions, warning that Western “double standards lead to more violence and instability” in the world.
“And this encourages many people to resort to violence and terrorism,” the statement concluded.
“It is our Christian and national duty during the difficult world circumstances ... to issue a message of love and peace,” said the statement.
It was signed by the heads of the Greek Orthodox, Greek Catholic, Armenian Orthodox and Roman Catholic churches in Jordan, where 250,000 people out of a five-million-strong population are Christian.