Michio Kushi's Letter to the President

Dear Friends,

Following are Michio Kushi's recommendations to the President of the U.S., and other government figures, regarding a Policy on Terrorism. They are excerpted from his letter of September 25, 2001.

The following measures are recommended for your [President Bush's] consideration.

1. The immediate call for a Regional International Conference, to be held at a location in an Islamic country, such as Egypt, Sudan, or Pakistan. The choice of such place should initially exclude America and Israel. The Conference should produce:

a. Islamic initiatives, with the support of America, to destroy any possible sources of terrorism.

b. Collaboration with American troops. The purpose of the presence of American troops is to be clarified and recognized, which is limited to termination of terrorism. Assurances should be given that American troops will return to their home bases upon the confirmation that such source of terrorism is destroyed.

c. The Conference should develop a positive plan for long run collaboration between America and the West on the one side; and the Middle East and, more largely, Islamic countries on the other. The purpose of such collaboration is to realize permanent peace and prosperity through mutual respect and assistance, ultimately to serve global peace and prosperity for all mankind.

d. This Conference, through its continuing sessions, should further develop its practical measure of cultural, economic, and technological assistance for the well-being of people; security of their natural environment; development of agriculture, convenient dwellings, communication, transportation, and energy systems; and procurement of individual physical and emotional health with proper nutrition and dietary guidelines.

The Conference should invite observers from the United Nations; from some Western countries; and from some Asian countries. The Conference should eventually develop ongoing regional councils for human development. The historical significance of this Conference is to turn completely the fear and misery of terrorism towards the direction of peaceful mutual collaboration for future generations.

2. For the solution of the immediate issue, the following points are recommended:

a. Refrain from a ground invasion as much as possible.

b. Upon the clear identification of the target as the source of terrorism, air bombing may be used, with limited ground invasion, if necessary.

c. In order to identify the source, intelligence groups should be dispatched deeply into the alleged area.

d. Actions of U.S. troops should be reported internationally, to inform their purpose, especially to have the understanding of Islamic peoples.

e. Immediately after deactivation of the source, U.S. troops should withdraw to their original posts.

f. Through this campaign, representatives of the United Nations are to be invited as observers, who are to act as spokesmen to support the campaign of America.

g. Advise Israel not to initiate any offensive measure to any Islamic people or regions.

h. Inform all Islamic governments of the intention of American policy, making the best efforts to avoid misunderstandings by any of these governments and Islamic people.

3. In the event that certain individuals or groups who are the source of the current terrorism are seized, an International Court of Global Justice and Peace should conduct a trial. The formation of such Court is the beginning of World Federation for the global community of mankind.

We wish to repeat that we wholeheartedly support any Presidential and Congressional decision. At the same time, we sincerely hope America’s spirit for freedom, justice, and brotherhood is well demonstrated towards the establishment of trust of the American spirit among all mankind. We should turn this unfortunate incident of terrorism towards the opening of the door for the Era of Humanity, which shall evolve into World Federation in the near future. America is a multi-racial, multi-cultural society. We sincerely hope that America will demonstrate to the entire world its high spirit of Love for all mankind. This will make America a leading light to open the new world of global community. American spirit should be a foundation for one healthy, peaceful world, which shall ever last on this planet.

Respectfully yours,

Michio Kushi

MK:cra