News
Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church
Bishops urge troop pullout
November 16, 2009
LAKE JUNALULSKA, N.C. (UMNS) -- As President Barack Obama considers new military strategy for Afghanistan, at least 77 United Methodist bishops are praying he will withdraw troops by the end of 2010.
“We believe there is no path to military victory in Afghanistan,” the bishops stated in a letter sent to Obama Nov. 10. The letter was signed by bishops attending the Nov. 1-5 Council of Bishops meeting.
Obama has rejected the Afghanistan options before him and asked for revisions, according to news reports. U.S. Ambassador Karl Eikenberry has voiced dissent against sending more troops, while Gen. Stanley McChrystal, commander, is seeking thousands more troops. Several senior administration officials also reportedly favor sending more troops.
“We wanted to get this to Obama before he made his decision on sending more troops to Afghanistan,” said retired Bishop Marshall L. Meadors. Meadors drafted the letter with assistance from retired bishops Kenneth L. Carder, Clifton S. Ives and Donald A. Ott.
