Bishop praises President Bush for role in Mideast cease-fire

By United Methodist News Service

The president of the United Methodist Council of Bishops has written a letter to U.S. President George W. Bush, praising him for his leadership in bringing about a cease-fire between Israel and the Hezbollah militant group.

"Thank you for your leadership in the United Nations adopting the resolution which has served as the basis for the cease fire in Lebanon and Israel," wrote Bishop Janice Riggle Huie. "We are grateful that you have worked to lay the foundation for further negotiations to bring long-term stability to the region."

In her Aug. 15 letter, Huie urged the president to continue working through the United Nations to "broaden the participation of those who will build a base for a lasting peace."

"You can be assured that the United Methodist Church will mobilize relief and recovery efforts as soon as possible," Huie told Bush, who is also a United Methodist.

Huie is serving a two-year term as president of the bishops' council and leads the denomination's Houston Area.

The cease-fire took effect Aug. 14, after the U.N. Security Council adopted a resolution Aug. 11 calling for an end to the fighting. Lebanese troops, backed by international peacekeepers, will be deployed in southern Lebanon as a buffer force between Hezbollah guerrillas and Israel.

The latest round of violence began July 12, when Hezbollah guerillas attacked Israeli forces, killing eight soldiers and kidnapping two. Israel responded by attacking southern Lebanon, a Hezbollah stronghold, and the violence escalated with retaliatory rocket attacks on northern Israel. Civilian casualties mounted on both sides of the border, and large numbers of people were forced to flee their homes.

The text of the letter follows:

August 15, 2006

President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Washington, DC

Dear President Bush:

Thank you for your leadership in the United Nations adopting the resolution which has served as the basis for the cease fire in Lebanon and Israel. We are grateful that you have worked to lay the foundation for further negotiations to bring long-term stability to the region.

I join others who are urging you to continue working through the United Nations in order to broaden the participation of those who will build the base for a lasting peace.

You can be assured that The United Methodist Church will mobilize relief and recovery efforts as soon as possible. As in numerous other situations over the years, we will work with governmental agencies in the United States, the United Nations, and nations affected by natural disasters and conflicts. We have regularly been partners in these efforts with the Red Cross, other denominations and religious bodies, and the private sector.

Please know that you are in my prayers for God's wisdom and strength as you continue to move with others and join God who promises that
He shall judge between the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks, nations shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn of war anymore. (Isaiah 2:4)

Sincerely,

Janice Riggle Huie, President
United Methodist Council of Bishops

cc: Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice