Middle East Peace: What is Possible?

By Nadine Andre, Washington DC
nadine@iifwp.org
June 27, 2003

The Opening Session of the second special consultation of the Middle East Peace Initiative called, "The World At A Turning Point: Considering Innovative Proposals for Peace, Cooperation and Co-Prosperity in the Middle East," opened tonight in Washington D.C. at the Arlington Sheraton, sponsored by the Interreligious and International Federation for World Peace [IIFWP], and co-sponsored by the American Family Coalition, American Clergy Leadership Conference, The Washington Times Foundation and the United Press International Foundation.

Approximately 140 participants representing 25 nations anticipated the up-coming discussions, debate, exploration and consensus, in how to augment, add to, innovate and supplement the stalled "Road Map" for peace in the Middle East. Among the participants were former president of Indonesia, Abdurrahman Wahid, who throughout his presidency called for reforms within Islam and took much criticism for it.

Archbishop George Stallings, Chairman of the American Clergy Leadership Conference, that recently led a pilgrimage of Christian Ministers to Jerusalem to meet with Jewish leaders, gave the opening invocation imploring heaven that this Middle East Peace initiative would herald in the "cosmic world of peace."

Giving the keynote address, Mr. Douglas Joo, President of the Washington Times, said that the Washington Times has been unique among newspapers in its clarity, insight and values in dealing with world crises. He said, "The media has the role to make a unique contribution to the sharing of information across cultural boundaries in the 21st Century, and to help bring world peace through honest, moral and a responsible worldwide media network."

Dr. Faisal Al-Rfouh, from the University of Jordan and the former Minister of Social Development and Culture in Jordan, denoted the distinction of Arab-Israeli relations as opposed to Arab-Israeli conflict and said, "You cannot ignore the role of Jordan in the peace process and commended Father Moon, founder of IIFWP for his leadership in bringing the different factions together.

Dr. Noel Brown, president of the Friends of the United Nations and former Director of the UN Environmental Program, brought a practical perspective to the evening by speaking about economics. He said that the entire Middle East's contribution to global trade is equivalent to Iceland and spoke about developing the region economically. "Entrepreneurship incentives such as the Middle East Entrepreneur Summit and Young Entrepreneurs Academy, that encourage young people to live, work, and trade together in the region is a viable and proven successful way out of what otherwise seems to be an impasse."

Dr. Andrew Wilson, editor of the World Scripture Project and theologian who also was part of the pilgrimage to Jerusalem stated, "Religion has a great role in the peace process. About 90% of the time, the religions of the world speak fundamentally about the same things, People get their fire from faith. Even the suicide bombers do, so it is imperative to bring the religions together."

The opening of the Initiative held promise, however the participants held on to some reservation as they geared themselves up for the next two days of sessions. While the "Road Map" to peace seems to chart a direction, as any good navigator knows the map is as good as the people reading it.


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