The Acts of Convention

House of Deputies

Original Text of Resolution

(D076)

Whereas, acts of terrorism as a blackmail tool to gain political objectives such as in the recent hijacking of TWA Flight #847, a flight from Athens, Greece, to Rome, Italy, carrying innocent persons on vacation and business resulted in the brutal and deliberate beating and killing of a young American serviceman; and

Whereas, this act of terrorism and piracy was perpetrated by persons well trained and equipped, and encouraged by political factions and governments bent on embarrassing and paralyzing the United States Government and other civilized nations of the world; and

Whereas, this particular act of terrorism was designed to gain immediate worldwide media attention and coverage and indeed overshadowed several other acts of terrorism occurring in that same week which resulted in the cold blooded murder of several Americans in San Salvador, the bombing of the airports in Frankfurt, Germany, and Tokyo, Japan, both of which incidents resulted in innocent lives being lost; and

Whereas, terrorists still hold somewhere in Lebanon 7 Americans kidnapped earlier, some of whom have been held for over a year; and

Whereas, acts of terrorism conducted with seeming impunity from safe havens and sanctuaries under the control of governments opposed to our form of government and democracy only give encouragement to further acts of terrorism unless severely dealt with in some punitive fashion that would surely result in even further loss of lives and property; and

Whereas, acts of terrorism and hostage holding are intended to draw and influence public attention and opinion; and

Whereas, terrorists thrive on publicity and media attention and are expert in manipulating a free press; and

Whereas, terrorists are seemingly quite aware of the power of public opinion; therefore be it

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America view with horror and condemnation these brutal acts of terrorism which are a form of warfare even more brutal and horrifying than any experienced in recent civilized history; and be it further

Resolved, That this Convention call upon the Secretary General of the United Nations, the President of Lebanon, and the President of Syria to use their good offices to assist in persuading those still holding kidnapped Americans to release them to their families so that they may be reunited and witness by this act an element of compassion and humanitarianism; and be it further

Resolved, That a copy of this Resolution shall be sent to the Secretary General of the United Nations, the President of Lebanon, and the President of Syria.

Proposed Committee Amendment:

Reword the first Resolved clause as follows:

Resolved, the House of Bishops concurring, That the General Convention of the Episcopal Church of the United States of America view with horror and condemnation these brutal acts of terrorism which are a form of warfare even more as brutal and horrifying than as any experienced in recent civilized history;

Motion carried

Resolution adopted

(Communicated to the House of Bishops in HD Message #168)