07620
October 1, 2007

Stated Clerk sends letter expressing concern about Myanmar violence

Encourages U.N. to give leadership toward “a peaceful resolution”

by Sharon Youngs
Office of the General Assembly communications coordinator

LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Clifton Kirkpatrick, stated clerk of the General Assembly, has communicated with the secretary general of the United Nations on behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), expressing concern about the growing violence being used by the Myanmar government toward protesters of that country’s administration.

In his letter to Ban Ki-Moon, Kirkpatrick, “As people of faith, we affirm that such uses of force have never quenched the spirit of people who wish to be free. We call upon the United Nations, the leaders of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), all the nations of the region, and especially the leaders of the Peoples Republic of China and India, to use their good offices to help bring an end to this unfolding tragedy.”

Kirkpatrick has also sent a letter to the Myanmar Council of Churches, the Christian Conference of Asia, the Presbyterian Church in Myanmar, and the Buddhist Peace Fellowship.

The full text of Kirkpatrick’s letter to the U.N. Secretary General (with copies to President George W. Bush, U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches and the National Council of Churches of Christ USA):

Dear Mr. Secretary General:

On behalf of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I write to add our voice to the worldwide expressions of deep concern over the growing crisis in Myanmar and the increasingly violent response of the government to the people as they join their religious leaders in non-violent expressions of their deep desire for economic justice and an end to repression. We are reminded of the terrible outcome of such demonstrations in 1988, when thousands of innocent citizens were shot and killed by government forces, and we call for the utmost restraint on the part of government leaders.

As people of faith, we affirm that such uses of force have never quenched the spirit of people who wish to be free. We call upon the United Nations, the leaders of ASEAN, all the nations of the region, and especially the leaders of the Peoples Republic of China and India, to use their good offices to help bring an end to this unfolding tragedy.