October 17, 2002
The following is a true copy of a Resolution adopted by the Executive Council at its meeting on October 11-14, 2002 in Jackson Hole, Wyoming at which a quorum was present and voting.
Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Oct 11-14, 2002 in Jackson, Wyoming affirm solidarity with the Episcopal Church of Colombia and the suffering people of Colombia through prayer and witness and urge that the Episcopal Church inform its members of the plight of the Colombian people and support Policies and programs that will alleviate their poverty and ameliorate the injustices Experienced by millions of Colombians; and be it further
Resolved, that the Episcopal Church urge the Government of the United States to assign the highest priority to achieving a negotiated peace in Colombia and work with other governments in the region and other allies in bringing a peaceful end to Colombia’s longstanding civil conflict; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church advocate with the Government of the United States. That the Government of Colombia commit to combating policies and practices that result in the violation of human rights, the forced displacement of innocent persons, attacks on innocent civilians and civic and religious leaders, massacres, kidnappings, torture, the use of land mines, and the disappearance of large numbers of persons; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church reject any increase in military support through Plan Colombia for the Government of Colombia and challenge the current policy of the U.S. Government in emphasizing military aid as its major contribution to peace and stability in Colombia; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church support substantial humanitarian and development assistance to Colombia, focusing on multilateral assistance through the agencies of the United Nations and the Organization of American States; and be it further
Resolved, That the Episcopal Church advocate for a re-examination of the fumigation program supported through Plan Colombia as a humane and efficacious means of combating narco trafficking in Colombia; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church lend full support to programs which will alleviate the suffering of Colombia’s internally displaced persons, especially the Afro-Columbians and indigenous persons who have been severely victimized by Colombia’s civil conflict; and be it further
Resolved, That The Episcopal Church actively associate itself with the policies and efforts of the National Council of Churches and other ecumenical bodies seeking to end human rights violations, civil conflict, and further displacement of innocent Colombians.
EXPLANATION:
Colombia suffers from the tragic human consequences of protracted civil conflict that has resulted in serious rupture in the fabric of its socio-economic life and the displacement of over 2.5 million people. The Episcopal Church of Colombia seeks to make a significant contribution to bringing peace and stability to the war ravaged, impoverished people of Colombia.
The Government of the United States has committed billions of dollars in combating narco-trafficking by strengthening the military capability of the Government of Colombia through Plan Colombia. Significantly less has been spent in addressing the social and economic inequalities which have contributed to the devastating internal conflict which has plagued Colombia.
Moreover, Colombia’s civil conflict has not been halted by military intervention in spite of increased investment in the Government’s military capacity and has, in fact, impeded the peace process.
A major goal of the U.S. Government in involving itself in Colombia has been the ending of narco-trafficking through a massive fumigation program which has had a harmful environmental impact while failing to address the economic circumstances that have caused poor Colombians to be engaged in the drug industry.
The Rev. Rosemari G. Sullivan
Secretary of the Executive Council and the Domestic
and Foreign Missionary Society of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in the United States of America
