February 13, 2006

Washington, DC

Dear Mr. President,

We write out of deep concern regarding the possibility of military strikes against Iran, by either the United States or Israel.  Our coalition of Orthodox, Catholic and Protestant churches and church-related agencies share the fear of the possession and possible use of nuclear weapons by Iran and the spread of nuclear weapons in the Middle East and Central Asia.  And, we are shocked by and deplore the anti-Israel statements of Iranian President Ahmadinejad. Nevertheless, we ask that the United States and the global community be committed to dealing with the Iranian situation through diplomatic means.

Among the likely results of U.S. military strikes against the multiple and scattered locations associated with Iran's nuclear program would be:

·further destabilization of Iraq and the entire region;

· nuclear hazards for Iranian civilians and others in the region

· increased anti-American sentiment especially among the Shia Muslims in Iraq, Lebanon and throughout the Persian Gulf;

·the patriotic-rallying of Iran's otherwise reform-minded youth and the inevitable loss of Iranian lives; and

· great harm to Israeli-Arab dialogue as well as U.S. initiatives to promote transparency, accountability and democratic institutions in the region.

We believe the policy and actions of the United States must be designed to strengthen and safeguard both the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Non-Proliferation Treaty- as well as the rights and obligations of its signers.

We urge your administration to explore fully the wide range of proposals that have been offered to help defuse the situation.  We recommend attention to the study published in November by the U.S. Army War College that includes steps towards making the Middle East nuclear free and free of weapons of mass destruction.

Thank you for your consideration of our perspectives and policy recommendations.