| Urgent Request To End Military Strikes
To: President George W. Bush: October 8, 2001 Before dawn on October 8, the United States and Great Britain carried out bombing raids on six cities in Afghanistan, including the launch of Tomahawk cruise missiles. It is reported that reserve oil stocks and a radio station in the capital city, Kabul, were attacked. You stated that the reason for beginning military action was because your demands such as the closing of terrorist training camps, the handing over of Mr. bin Laden, and the release of detained foreign nationals and other NGO workers were not met . However, it is reported that the Taliban ambassador to Pakistan said on October 7 that the Taliban is ready to detain Mr. bin Laden and put him on trial on the official request of the United States. It is also reported that they already have released a British journalist. Although in your speech you said that no demands were met, these facts show that you were wrong. We believe that the United States should have continued diplomatic negotiations with the Taliban regime. It is not a cool-headed act to embark on military action at this time when opposition to retaliation is rising both in the U.S. and throughout the world, and voices are being raised on behalf of seeking a solution through internationally legitimate means. It also ignores the recent signs of a change in attitude on the part of the Taliban regime. We also wonder how you hope to secure the safety of those eight foreigners and NGO workers who are still detained. You also stated that food and medicine are being dropped. We question how people will receive these packages dropped alongside bombs. Can you imagine that they will feel safe in accepting these parcels? We have to say that this is a one-sided, hypocritical act that shows a pathetic lack of imagination of the situation of the recipients. We believe that considering the difficult situation in which the Afghan people and refugees are placed, if you plan to send aid in the form of food and medicine then the military strikes should not be have been carried out in the first place. We also question the purpose of attacking the reserved oil stocks, which will have a huge effect on the lives of people who will have to endure the Afghan winter. Alongside Britain, which joined the assault, Russia and other countries have expressed their support for US military action. It is also reported that Prime Minister Koizumi in Japan pledged and conveyed his full support for President Bush regarding the US attack . We, however, as Christians in Japan , do not support US military retaliation. Retaliation creates a cycle of violence. As Christians who believe in Jesus Christ, who loves the powerless and dwells with them, we strongly demand that the US refrains from any further military strikes. Prime Minister Koizumi of Japan did not express support on behalf of all Japanese citizens. He is wrong in his judgement. Japanese citizens including those who like Mr.Koizumi's unusual personality, are beginning to express our objections to his policy of obeying and following the US lead in a way that violates existing laws and ignores the will of ordinary Japanese people. We repeat that Prime Minister Koizumi's voice in support of military action does not reflect our will. Please imagine how many innocent people in Afghanistan are exposed to terror and danger from the missile attacks. No matter how accurately targeted a missile may be, it is defenseless civilians, not those in power, who are placed in danger. Please stop the strikes. Please stop any further attacks. Please try to find a peaceful solution, by quenching the fires of the temptation to retaliate and gathering wisdom from the world, so that we may convict those responsible for this inhuman and intolerable terrorist crime, historically and internationally, and bring about peace in the world. Now is the time to demonstrate your leadership, in seeking that peace in which the hearts of people may be joined as one. In prayer, Rev. Kenichi Otsu Ms. Kimiko Ogasawara |