Patriarch Alexy II van Moskou

The Russian Orthodox Church and the War in Iraq
26-03-2003

Letter by His Holiness Patriarch Alexy II to the UN
Secretary General Kofi Annan

Your Excellence, esteemed Mr Secretary General,

The military operations of the coalition led by the USA and Great Britain against Iraq have lasted for a week now. Cities and towns are burning, civilians are dying, and innocent children, women and old people are suffering. Millions of people have been left without a roof over their heads and deprived of proper conditions of life. Flows of refugees are amounting to thousands of people. Missile and bombing strikes have also caused damage to countries neighboring to Iraq . Historical monuments are running the danger of destruction. The whole world has become aware of the fact that there is a growing humanitarian catastrophe in the country, and its bounds are expanding.

However, no one of the accusations that provoked the war has proved true to date. In self- defense ,Iraq does not use weapon of mass destruction, and its arsenals have not been found even in the territories occupied by the anti-Iraq coalition. Reports from scenes of action testify to the consolidation of the Iraqi people to defend their country. People's
anger did not turned against the Iraqi leaders, as the US and Great Britain 's governments expected beginning the war. In view of this fact, how can the actions of the British-American coalition be assessed?

I believe that it is the United Nations Organization that is to answer this question which is urgent for all nations around the world today. The UN, which expresses the opinion of the whole world community, must not stand aside in the developments, even despite the fact that the USA and Great Britain are acting beyond the regulations of international law
and without the sanction of this authoritative organization. The UN should assume the major task of promoting an immediate cessation of arms and taking active part in the peaceful settlement and establishment of peaceful life in the Middle East . The UN enjoys credit in the region, as the actions of the Iraqi government before the war showed, and therefore its timely interference in the conflict will be efficient and successful.

In your person, Mr Secretary General, the Russian Orthodox Church calls upon all UN member-states to do their best to stop bloodshed, further victims, especially among women and children, and to reestablish the violated world order.

May the Lord help you in your difficult ministry for peace.



20.03.2003:
Statement by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and all Russia on the beginning of military operation against Iraq

Early in today's morning, the British-American coalition has launched missile and bombing strikes against Iraqi cities. This happened in defiance to the opinion of the UN Security Council, the majority of the world community members and religious leaders who had opposed a military solution of the problems around Iraq .

The Russian Orthodox Church has exerted herself to establish dialogue with the Iraqi leaders. It was immediately before the operation that our delegation together with Russia 's Muslims visited Baghdad with a peace mission. This visit testified to the solidarity of the Russian faithful with the Iraqi people and showed that the use of force is not to be explained by the confrontation between Christianity and Islam and that this conflict has no religious roots. However, our efforts have proved vain. The military machine has been started up.

The operation has already caused first human victims in Iraq . If the operation continues, they will inevitably grow in number. Civilians, both Muslims and Christians, will die not only of bombs, but also of deprivations that always accompany military actions. It is foreseeable that cultural monuments and shrines associated with the biblical history will be damaged. The hearts of the Russian Orthodox faithful are filled with sympathy for the suffering Iraqi nation: children, women, old, sick and infirm people.

On this tragic day, our Church urges the countries neighboring to Iraq : Not refuse aid to refugees, give asylum to victims and comfort them with your sincere affection.

The Russian Orthodox Church once again calls upon the governments of the anti-Iraq coalition member-states: Stop bloodshed! Make your best to prevent military actions form expanding. Resume peace negotiations. Spare thousands of innocent people. I call everyone, who is capable to contribute to the cessation of war, to make his best to put an end to it as soon as possible.

I offer up my prayers to God that He may establish peace in the Middle East . May the Lord grant us wisdom for settling the situation in Iraq and around this country.