It is Time to End the Trail of Resentment and Hatred:
Pax Christi USA Spring 2009 Sign-on Statement on Afghanistan

 

Pax Christi USA lifts up the impassioned cry of Pope John Paul II in this sign-on statement as our country plans for a greater military commitment in Afghanistan:

“No, never again war, which destroys the lives of innocent people, teaches how to kill, throws into upheaval even the lives of those who do the killing and leaves behind a trail of resentment and hatred, thus making it all the more difficult to find a solution to the very problems which provoked the war.”

The “trail of resentment and hatred” in Afghanistan has deep roots—a tragic history of foreign occupation, proxy wars and the support of extremist elements—the consequences of which contributed to the rise of the Taliban and al-Qaeda. The U.S. “war on terror” has not proven to be an effective framework for ensuring security nor reducing terrorism. Instead, this reliance on military strategies has fueled the spiral of violence and further destabilized the region.

 

Now, our nation’s leaders are preparing to increase U.S. and NATO forces in Afghanistan. We fear that such a “surge” will only inflame violence in the region, putting at greater risk U.S. and Afghan lives-- without building the deeper foundations for a long-term peace.

…
History has shown that there is no military solution in Afghanistan. A half-million Soviet troops could not stand up to the resistance. A RAND Corporation report found that since 1968, only 7% of all terrorists groups worldwide were taken down by military force, while 40% were dismantled through police and intelligence work and 43% gave up terrorism as they were integrated into the political process.

 

It is clear to us that reducing the U.S. military footprint would be one of the most effective measures to weaken the armed opposition. A shift in U.S. policy in support of a multilateral diplomatic and development surge has far greater potential for achieving long-term peace and stability in Afghanistan.

 

As a faith community, we call on our church leaders to:

• Elevate a moral voice and reject a military escalation in Afghanistan as an untenable approach unlikely to succeed.
• Hold U.S. tactics accountable to the proscriptions against harming civilians including the immediate harm caused by aerial bombardment and the lingering harm caused by the use of cluster munitions.
• Deepen efforts at interreligious dialogue at both the international and local levels to build greater understanding and acceptance of differing traditions, challenges and aspirations.

The change in U.S. administrations opens the possibility for a new approach to overcoming terrorism and ensuring peace and security for all nations. Let this be the moment when our nation experiences a “metanoia”—a conversion—when we turn around, change direction and chart a new course. As church, as people of faith and good will, we must raise our voices and create the public groundswell that makes real change possible—here, in Afghanistan, in Iraq, in Palestine/Israel, and everywhere.

To add your signature to the statement go to: http://www.paxchristiusa.org/news_Statements_more.asp?id=1525

 

“One of the most important ways of building peace is through a form of globalization directed towards the interests of the whole human family.”                   -Pope Benedict XVI, in his World Day of Peace 2009

 

St. Peter Claver Church Parishioners for Peace & Justice                                                                                             4/05/09 Issue 13