An Open Letter
September 10, 2002 Mr. George Bush Mr. Tony Blair
Dear Mr. President and Mr. Prime Minister: As September 11 draws near many people in the US and the rest of the world are commemorating the first anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks. We are aware that the wounds, sorrows and fears still run deep, resulting in the pervasive sense of vulnerability among people in the US and elsewhere. But with your continuing pronouncements to take pre-emptive status of war and military actions against Iraq, what can allay these fears, pain and anxiety? We have watched with growing alarm that the US government, supported by the British government, has been increasingly using a unilateral approach in its foreign policy in the name of war on terrorism. But what would be the difference between this military action against Iraq and the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001? Therefore, we call upon you to give the United Nations inspection team a chance to comprehensively search, investigate and verify the alleged issue of Iraq's mass acquisition and production of weapons of destruction. As human beings, we call upon you to listen to the voices of peoples throughout the world, even dissenting voices longing for true peace and justice, rather than just the few voices in your administration who are in agreement to your position. As Christians, we call upon you to let peace prevail, rather than violence. We pray that you will be guided by the love and wisdom from God. Our desire and hope are that the love and peace of our Saviour Jesus Christ will prevail in your minds and hearts, so that you will not create another terror through this war on terrorism. From the Officers of the Christian Conference of Asia: Rev. Jennifer Dawson, President (Aotearoa New Zealand)
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