Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush

Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush

-04/01/06

Members of the C

Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush

-04/01/06

Members of the Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT) will hold a public fast and vigil in Lafayette Park outside the White House beginning at 9 am (local time) on Friday 6 January, as they wait for a meeting with President George W. Bush.

Four of CPTís peace and human rights workers have been missing presumed in Baghdad since 26 November 2005 – Tom Fox, Norman Kember, Jim Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden.

Christian Peacemaker Teams has maintained a presence in Iraq since October 2002, working to expose detainee abuses and to offer non-violent alternatives to end the occupation and militarization of the country.

In a letter requesting a meeting with President Bush, CPT Co-Director Doug Pritchard wrote: ìFor the past three years CPT has had an almost continuous presence in Iraq. That presence has allowed us to work closely with Iraqis from varied perspectives.î

He continued: ìWe wish to share those stories and words of wisdom as a support and encouragement to the wise decisions you need to make as the President of the United States of America.î

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, who has served as a delegate to CPT’s Baghdad project added: ìJanuary 6th is the church’s celebration of the feast of Epiphany, when we remember the Magi and the gifts they brought to Jesus and his church. As part of our celebration this year, we want to bring the wisdom of the East to Washington and share with the President what we have seen and heard. We bring our experiences as gifts that we hope can make for peace.î

CPT will maintain a continuous presence outside the White House until noon on Sunday, 9 January 2006, or until a meeting with the President is granted.

Participants in the ëFollow the Light Epiphany Fastí will pray together on the hour and read statements from Iraqis who call for an end to the occupation of their country and request due process and humane treatment for all detainees.

Christian Peacemaker Teams seek meeting with President Bush

-04/01/06

Four of CPT’s peace and human rights workers have been missing presumed in Baghdad since 26 November 2005 – Tom Fox, Norman Kember, Jim Loney and Harmeet Singh Sooden.

In a letter requesting a meeting with President Bush, CPT Co-Director Doug Pritchard wrote: ‘For the past three years CPT has had an almost continuous presence in Iraq. That presence has allowed us to work closely with Iraqis from varied perspectives.’

He continued: ‘We wish to share those stories and words of wisdom as a support and encouragement to the wise decisions you need to make as the President of the United States of America.’

Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, who has served as a delegate to CPT’s Baghdad project added: ‘January 6th is the church’s celebration of the feast of Epiphany, when we remember the Magi and the gifts they brought to Jesus and his church. As part of our celebration this year, we want to bring the wisdom of the East to Washington and share with the President what we have seen and heard. We bring our experiences as gifts that we hope can make for peace.’

CPT will maintain a continuous presence outside the White House until noon on Sunday, 9 January 2006, or until a meeting with the President is granted.

Participants in the ëFollow the Light Epiphany Fast’ will pray together on the hour and read statements from Iraqis who call for an end to the occupation of their country and request due process and humane treatment for all detainees.