Letter to President Bush regarding Pipes' Confirmation

~April 11, 2003~

317 Russell

United States Senate

Dear Senator Kennedy:

The U.S. Institute of Peace is an important institution that symbolizes the commitment of many Americans for the peaceful resolution of international conflicts.  This is also the objective of Churches for Middle East Peace – a coalition of seventeen national churches and church-related organizations, both Protestant and Catholic.

With that in mind, we write in opposition to the nomination of Daniel Pipes to the Board of USIP because of his consistent criticism of Israeli-Palestinian peace-making. Churches for Middle East Peace is committed to Israeli-Arab peace and commended President Bush’s call, in his June 2002 speech, for a two-state solution and a renewed peace process. Mr. Pipes’ response was to warn that the President was rewarding terrorism by calling for a settlement freeze and articulating a vision of a Palestinian state. In both tone and substance, Mr. Pipes’ comments are contrary to the tenets of Middle East peacemaking, which clearly should be an end supported by the USIP.

The hostility that now exists between the United States and Islamic militants brings an unprecedented threat to the U.S. people that challenges peacemakers as well as those charged with the responsibility of defending the country.  The USIP should be at the forefront of research and policy recommendations for the prevention, management and resolution of this conflict and the underlying hostility.  Toward that objective, the USIP Board needs a person with a well-regarded expertise in Islam and an understanding of the Muslim world that enjoys the respect of  both Muslim and non-Muslim Americans. Daniel Pipes does not hold that respect.

Therefore, we urge you and other members of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pension to not confirm nominee Daniel Pipes to the Board of Directors of the United States Institute of Peace.

 Sincerely,  

Stan DeBoe,OSST                               Corinne Whitlatch

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