Contact: Joretta Purdue (Release # 238) May 9, 1996
WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- A delegation of United Methodists led by Bishop Woodie W. White, president of the denomination's Council of Bishops, met here May 7 with three White House officials to express concern about the Middle East.
Acting at the direction of General Conference held in Denver April 16-26, the delegation delivered a statement concerning "the crisis in Lebanon and the occupation of Palestine" that was affirmed by the nearly 1,000 delegates April 19.
In addition, copies of four resolutions dealing with the Middle East that were passed by the 1996 General Conference were given to the White House representatives.
Delegates had hoped their emissaries would reach the Oval Office. Instead they met with three key staff members who are top advisors to the administration on this area. They are Anthony Lake, national security advisor; David Satterfield, director on the National Security Council's office on Near East and South Asian affairs; and Leon Fuerth, national security advisor to the vice president.
Representing the United Methodist Church were White of the Indiana Area; Bishop Judith Craig of the West Ohio Area; Ron Bretsch, a professor of education from Norwood, N.Y.; the Rev. R. Randy Day, pastor of Ridgefield (Conn.) United Methodist Church; Kristen Dowdy, a college student from Fredericksburg, Va.; and Jo Ann Fukumoto, a volunteer in social justice from Hawaii.
They were accompanied by two staff members from the Board of Global Ministries: Peggy Hutchison of the World Division and United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR), and Anna Rhee, who heads the Women's Division Washington Office.
Warned that the eight-member delegation would have only 20 minutes with the government officials, White said the conversation was more than double that, reflecting Lake's interest.
Several of the United Methodists said they were amazed that Lake listened attentively, openly voiced opinions, and agreed and disagreed with the church delegation. They said he appeared surprised that Arafat, the Palestinian leader, had asked Craig to pray for him, and Lake seemed pleased to learn that she does pray regularly for the Arab leader.
"I feel that we fulfilled the request of the General Conference ... to a greater degree than I expected was possible," Craig said.
She read the statement from the General Conference that condemns terrorism, human rights violations and attacks on civilians. It calls for Christians, Jews and Muslims to be free to practice their faiths in Jerusalem and urges security for Israelis, Palestinians and Lebanese.
Day expressed appreciation that the U.S. government and the United Methodist Church both have worked for peace in the Middle East for many years, but urged that the U.S. government keep "a critical distance between all parties in order to be an honest negotiator."
Bretsch told the government advisers that American perceptions of Palestinians have changed during the last 20 years -- moving away from considering them stereotypical terrorists.
He commented that "there will be no peace between Israel and its neighbors until there is justice for Palestinians, as well as for Israelis."
Dowdy spoke favorably of the visit, but, said on reflection, she was concerned about the disparity in the amounts of aid given to Israel and to the Palestinians. Others in the group cited historical and political reasons for the difference and vowed to make that a talking point in continuing correspondence with Lake.
They said that because of the church's ongoing work by its missionaries and other personnel, Lake seemed genuinely to value their assessments of how the lives of people in the Middle East are being affected by the church's efforts and the policies of the various governments.
While with Lake and the others, White also conveyed to the White House staff the General Conference resolution on Liberia, together with a cover letter addressed to President Clinton.
At the mention of Liberia, Lake expressed frustration with the unsettled situation and the commitment of the nation to assist in facilitating the peace process there, White said.
The delegation also raised the issue of Burundian Bishop J. Alfred Ndoricimpa, who was denied a U.S. visa, that would have permitted him to attend the General Conference and Council of Bishops meetings for the past year. Lake promised to have the matter looked into.
Fukumoto, who serves on her conference board of church and society, said the experience made her "so proud to be a United Methodist."
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
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Mission News
General Conference 1996
Global Connections: Middle East
