OPEN LETTER
LET EVERY STEP BE A STEP TOWARDS PEACE. The Christian Conference of Asia is a fellowship of 108 member churches and councils of churches from 18 Asian countries, with a membership of more than 55 million individuals. We write gravely concerned as the heightened tension between India and Pakistan threatens to cause further escalation of the conflict and further loss of life. We urge you to take the road of peace, in spite of any provocations, as this road will ultimately benefit the people of your country. Peace is built in small steps. Every step towards peace and to maintain peace is important in developing a "culture of peace" as called for by the United Nations and the international community. The pacific settlement of international disputes is also an obligation of every member state of the United Nations, by virtue of Chapter VI, Article 33(1) of the United Nations Charter. We therefore urge the leaders of both nations to walk the road of peace, to de-militarize and to diffuse tension, especially along the borders, to re-institute peace talks and confidence-building measures to transform the prevailing climate of grave fear and tension into one of tolerance and mutual respect. Long-term solutions must be found to thorny issues such as the status of Kashmir and rise of armed militants and fanatics, but these problems will not be solved by further violence. We strongly urge both governments to focus the scarce resources of both nations on the alleviation of poverty, on education, employment-creation, health and on building inter-religious harmony. Diversion of such resources for military purposes does not serve the long-term interests of the people of either nation. We write as Christians, knowing that the Hindu, Muslim and Christian religious traditions each require that we work for peace and show compassion, mercy and great respect for human life in all we do. We will pray with you for peace at this time.
Yours faithfully, Rev. Jennifer Dawson, President of CCA (Aotearoa New Zealand) 27 May, 2002
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