Episcopal Press and News
Browning And Runcie Question U.S. Raid
Episcopal News Service. April 17, 1986 [86080]
NEW YORK (DPS, April 17) -- Presiding Bishop Edmond L. Browning and Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie have questioned the U.S. action in launching a military air strike against Libya for its support of terrorist activities. (Eds: Statements attached).
In separate statements, both Primates raised the question of the proportionality of the raid as well as its long term effectiveness and the affect it has on international relations. These are critical principles underlying Anglican attitudes toward peacemaking.
While immediate American reaction has giddily favored the raid, a few voices have suggested that the U.S is now in an untenable position of having to wait and react. Browning addressed both attitudes in a comment that concluded:
"In the days ahead, I hope that we will reflect on the long term consequences of our actions and not on the seeming immediate sense of gratification. I pray that the motivations and course of our actions will be consistent with the purity of our intentions and that they truly reflect our search for a lasting peace in the Middle East. To that end, I respectfully ask that the President withdraw our forces and make it clear to the world that this has been a measured effort to bring the blight of terrorism to an end."
Runcie, as president of the British Council of Churches, took a similar tack but hit especially hard at U.S. failure to wait until the matter had been tested before the UN Security Council. In the statement, Runcie, who was to address the matter in the House of Lords, said," Her Majesty's government owes it to the British people to explain fully why, in contrast to its partners in the European community, it has given support to a form of American action which, in our view, undermines rather than strengthens international security."
In additional comment, Runcie's aide, Terry Waite, who has spent a great deal of time negotiating with Arab factions for the safety of western hostages, and who has spent time with the Libyan strong man commented on British radio that "It will increase his resolve to further pursue violent ends through acts of terrorism. I cannot see him being deterred by this."
The Most Rev. Edmond L. Browning
Presiding Bishop, The Episcopal Church
The U.S. military action against the Republic of Libya is a serious unilateral action with grave consequences.
Terrorism is a growing cancer within the body of our global community. It is a reaction on the part of those convinced that without violent measures, their grievances will not be addressed. Clearly, no responsible government can make peace with terrorism, terrorists or those who support them. At the same time, it is the height of irresponsibility not to address these underlying causes, thereby showing moderate elements in the Middle East that avenues to the resolution of long-standing grievances other than terrorism exist. By making terrorism unnecessary, we cut terrorists off from their support bases as well as their reason for being.
Although one can and does abhor terrorism and seeks its eradication, the quality of the response must witness to the maturity of the policy and decision-making process. Before using force, has every alternate avenue of response been explored? Is the response proportionate? Is the action to be effective rather than efficient or expeditious? Does the action produce international trust and cooperation?
In the days ahead, I hope that we will reflect on the long term consequences of our actions and not on the seeming immediate sense of gratification. I pray that the motivations and course of our actions will be consistent with the purity of our intentions and that they truly reflect our search for a lasting peace in the Middle East. To that end, I respectfully ask that the President withdraw our forces and make it clear to the world that this has been a measured effort to bring the blight of terrorism to an end.