Gordon C. Wong, SPECIAL DIPLOMATIC ADVISER TO THE U.S. PRESIDENT,SENIOR ADVISER TO THE YEAR OF THE CHILD,
P.O. Box 1368,
Vancouver, B.C.,
Canada, V6C 2T2,
February, 1986.
Mr. Clovis Maksoud,
ARAB LEAGUE PERMANENT OBSERVER AT THE UNITED NATIONS,
c/o United Nations Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar,
The United Nations,
New York 10017,
New York, U.S.A.
Mr. Maksoud:
I have two major purposes in making another statement to you c/o the United Nations Secretary-General.
One, i am becoming more directly involved in the process to provide aid for the underprivileged peoples of the world--especially those in Africa--and public understanding of my role in the field will ensue awareness of my part in the preparations for the involvement by Western popular entertainers made in 1977 and 1978 and explained to the international diplomatic community at those times and since.
As i have been led to understand it, Mr. Maksoud, the
willingness by Moslems to sacrifice their lives for their faith
results from their respect for the value of each human life.
I won't presume here that this is the place for us to argue
whether some, including Moslems, have misapplied this for other,
less worthy purposes.
Our goal must be to achieve the legitimate goals, respectful of
common "concerns," short of such sacrifice if it is reasonably
possible.
Rather, i draw it to your attention so that it is once again
understood that this commitment by the figures in the public eye
and myself does not pursue any "militarist-minded" purpose, but
only to improve the living standards of those less fortunate
than ourselves.
As long-term and durable solutions will unavoidably involve all
those who have significant financial resources, truly the
members of the Arab League who have the oil resources will play
a role in the overall solution.
I appreciate the current oil pricing crisis and how it is
affecting oil producing states--including both the members of
O.P.E.C. and Canada.
We realize i have referred to this in past in a statement to you.
Though perhaps those who view the O.P.E.C. members with
disfavour because of the international political and military
objectives of certain members would be more disinclined than i
to advance this view--they are not bound by the commitments i have been since 1978
and Camp David--i would suggest to the members of the Arab
League who also are members of the O.P.E.C. cartel that the
present crisis is not being considered necessarily in the true
light it deserves.
Prices for energy affect "all of
us," whether the wealthiest states or the most
underdeveloped.
A genuine economic crisis continues for those in need and it
will continue until a satisfactory, long-term solution is
determined and implemented.
Ultimate oil price stability, therefore, should only be expected
when it is determined what this "market" can afford.
The intrusion of militarist purposes in the issue clouds the
accurate understanding of the real crisis, delaying the
practical solution and accordingly costing "all of us" more than contributions to
the cause of legitimate, secure and durable peace would by these
measures.
Therefore, i have always prepared my
"International Diplomatic Work...on a direct basis" with
respect applied dually for Arabs and Israelis--for Moslems,
Christians, and Jews equally, and with due regard for the
legitimate commitments to peace by both East and West. And i
consider how each aspect of this understanding affects the
underdeveloped states in the North-South configuration.
DON'T THINK THE WISDOM OF THOMAS JEFFERSON IS PASSÉ YET IN WHAT YOU ARE ENTITLED TO FROM YOUR GOVERNMENT? LET YOUR VOICE BE HEARD: TAKE A BRIEF SIDESTEP HERE TO SIGN MY GUESTBOOK.