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NCC
condemns North Korea nuclear test, urges diplomacy
 New
York, October 9, 2006 – The North
Korean nuclear test today was condemned by the Rev. Bob Edgar, general
secretary of the National Council of Churches USA. He urged an
immediate return to the negotiating table, the so-called "six party
talks" that have been stalled.
"Nuclear proliferation can not be good news for the planet," Edgar said
in a statement. "I have seen firsthand the effects of nuclear testing
on human beings and God's planet when I visited the
Marshall Islands where the U.S. government tested nuclear
weapons after World War II. These are weapons of mass destruction of
the worst kind imaginable," said Edgar.
Edgar urgently reaffirmed the NCC's call for the "prompt reconvening of
talks with North Korea leading to a non-aggression pact between North
Korea and the United States" made in 2003 at a
Korean Consultation in Washington, DC, sponsored by the NCC.
The NCC and many of its 35 member communions have been active for more
than two decades with churches on the Korean peninsula. The Korean
Presbyterian Church in America is one of the NCC's member churches.
Other NCC member communions have Korean ministries within their
churches. There are 45 million members of the Protestant, Anglican,
Orthodox, historic African American and peace churches that make up the
National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA.
Statement of the Rev. Bob Edgar, General Secretary, National Council
of Churches USA
on news of the North Korean nuclear test
The news of the test by North Korea of nuclear bomb is heartbreaking.
Time and time again the National Council of Churches USA and several
other religious organizations have spoken up for nuclear disarmament.
"Today I set before you life and death," says the author of Deuteronomy
(30:19). Nuclear weapons are the ultimate weapons of mass destruction.
No good can come from their use. No good can come from their testing.
Nuclear proliferation can not be good news for the planet.
I have seen firsthand the effects of nuclear testing on human beings and
God's planet when I visited the Marshall Islands where the U.S.
government tested nuclear weapons after World War II. These are weapons
of mass destruction of the worst kind imaginable.
We urgently reaffirm our 2003 call for the prompt reconvening of talks
with North Korea leading to a non-aggression pact between North Korea
and the United States, renouncement of pre-emptive attack and
negotiation of a peace treaty replacing the present Armistice Treaty of
1953 and the establishment and exchange of liaison offices between the
United States and North Korea as a sign of good faith.
"Choose life," our Deuteronomy author concludes and therefore we should
choose a new path with North Korea that leads to peace, nonviolence and
a reduction of tensions on the Korean peninsula. This is a critical
time in the history of the modern world. God is watching to see what
kind of stewards we will be of that world with which we have been
entrusted.
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Latest NCC News at www.councilofchurches.org.
NCC News contact: Dan Webster, 212.870.2252, NCCnews@ncccusa.org
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