MOSCOW. March 20 (Interfax) - Alexy II, the
Patriarch of Moscow and all Russia, has denounced the U.S. led
campaign against Iraq and urged Iraq's neighbors to accept
refugees.
"Give them shelter and keep them warm
with the kindness of your hearts," Patriarch Alexy II said in
a statement issued in connection with the start of the war in
Iraq. Interfax obtained the statement on Thursday.
"The Russian Orthodox Church again calls
on the governments of the anti-Iraqi coalition to stop the
bloodshed. Do your best to prevent the spread of military
operations. Resume negotiations for peace. Spare thousands of
innocent people," the statement runs.
"I call on everyone who can help to do
their best to put an end to the war as soon as possible. I
pray the Lord will bring peace to the Middle East. May the
Lord give us the wisdom to settle the Iraq crisis." [RU EUROPE
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