United Church Social Policy Positions

Whereas the Persian Gulf Crisis threatens to erupt into full-scale war of disastrous proportions, potentially involving the use of chemical and nuclear weapons;

Whereas Canada’s contribution to peace-making and world order has historically been through active support of the UN’s efforts in conflict resolution and pursuit of justice and human rights;

Whereas Canada’s military contribution to world security has been the use of Canadian Forces in UN-directed peace-keeping roles;

Whereas the UN’s economic sanctions are intended to persuade the Iraqi government to withdraw from Kuwait, without starving innocent civilians;

Whereas a peaceful resolution requires establishing links that will allow leaders of the countries involved to talk to one another;

Whereas the General Council has adopted policies that support peace through common security no force;

Be it resolved that the Executive of General Council

1. Call upon the Secretary of State for External Affairs to pursue a resolution to the crisis only through the UN and only through UN strategies that avoid the use of military force for offensive purposes.
2. Urge the Canadian Government to make a commitment that Canadian Forces will only be used in defence of economic and diplomatic measures and that any action to change the role of the forces in the gulf be undertaken only after parliamentary decision.
3. Request the government to ensure that the embargo does not starve the civilian population or deprive them of essential medical resources. That the Red Crescent of Iraq be asked to ensure that people have access to food and medicines.
4. Support the effort of the three MPs, Bob Corbett, Lloyd Axworthy, and Svend Robinson, to establish communication lines with Iraq and Kuwait and offer a symbolic contribution of $1000 to this effort.
5. Encourage the organization of an international delegation from churches of the National Council of the Churches of Christ USA, the Conference of European Churches, and the Canadian Council of Churches to act as a listening team and to demonstrate to the people of the region our desire for peaceful solutions.
6. Commend the Moderator on his letter to the Prime Minister and encourage all members, congregations or mission units to express themselves.

General Council: General Council Executive, 1990

Record of Proceedings Page Ref. 1990 ROP, p. 94