| September 13, 20001
We strongly demand peace without military force !Dear President George W. Bush: We believe that people all over the world who desire peace are shocked and saddened by the sudden attack on September 11. They will join in your prayers in shock and grief. We, as the NCC-J (National Christian Council in Japan) members, also deeply mourn those victims and sincerely pray for the wounded to be healed as well as pray for those survivors to be immediately rescued from the rubble. On this day, three hijacked planes crashed into each of the towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the center of U.S. economy and military strategy. Another plane also crashed near Pittsburgh. This " Simultaneous Multi-Terrorist Act " shakes the world and creates anger against terrorism and violence. It was just after the beginning of an ordinary day when this happened for those passengers of the planes, workers in buildings and those who helped rescue activities. There will be thousands of deaths and injuries. Just as a missile attack is inadmissible neither can we tolerate, whatever the reasons may be, such a reckless attempt as slamming into buildings by hijacked planes, which was able to happen through the cracks of a mighty military power. This criminal act should be punished internationally, lawfully, and rationally in a peaceful way. When the United States declares war against the attack on its " freedom and democracy ", we sincerely hope that the countermeasures will be completely peaceful, not leading to military reprisals. We believe that, by taking peaceful measures, the US will show its ethical superiority, based upon the decisions to commit itself to peace and justice, over terrorism. " Retaliation " breeds hatred and will multiply military expansion, which endangers peace. It will also bring people into fear and terror. Any defense systems with advanced scientific technologies will not be able to stop a sneak and shrewd attack motivated by hatred. We believe that there is no other way for humankind to survive except by seeking to peace and reconciliation without increasing the race for military expansion. It is our understanding that the United States has been making a great effort to play a mediating role for regional conflict with a firm convictions to value the spirit of freedom and democracy. It is in itself unjust and intolerable for non-military, ordinary citizens, regardless of their social and economic situation, to be exposed to an attack either by missiles or by terrorists. It is not just an issue for other people but it is an issue for us in Japan to have the massive presence of US military bases, under the U. S -Japan Security Treaty, as in Okinawa, with the intention of strengthening them to be basic point of attack against other countries. We demand the removal of these dangerous US bases through which military retaliation could takes place. We strongly express our hope that the United States will show us the way to true peace by demonstrating what it means to seek justice, freedom and democracy without falling into the trap of military retaliation which leads all of us to perish. Sincerely, Rev. OTSU Kenichi
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