The latest Unification Movement Worldwide News

World Culture and Sports Festival '99


Special Convocation, 'Family Ethics and World Peace' 
Feb 4th -8th at the Lotte Hotel


Rev. Moon Calls for Establishment of New World Religious Body

	The Reverend Sun Myung Moon called for the establishment of a new,
UN-related organization composed of leaders from the world's major
religions.  Citing the ultimately ineffective efforts of current peace
organizations in securing world peace, Reverend Moon said that the
success of world peace in the next millenium hinges on the involvement
of united, world religious leaders.
	"The reality shows us, however, that political, economic, and
technological efforts alone have not effectively achieved those goals
(of world peace). Only if these efforts are supported by the more
internal ones of religion, education, and culture can ideal results be
secured," said Reverend Moon, as he addressed an internationally
diverse group of more than 800 guests at a conference on "Family
Ethics and World Peace", at the Lotte hotel yesterday.
	The Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, a group
founded by Rev. Moon, convened the conference to solve the problems
confronting society, most notably the breakdown of the family. Rev.
Moon emphatically asked the assembly, composed of world leader from
over 100 countries, to focus their energy during the next three days
of the conference on the task of formulating this new religious
governing body.
	The idea was warmly received by the participants and Rev. Moon was
praised by Gen. Alexander M. Haig, Jr., who introduced Rev. Moon to
the assembly and credited Rev. Moon as being instrumental in
overthrowing international communism.
	"Our paths crossed several times during my life," said Gen. Haig,
referring to Rev. Moon. The first time was when Haig's army unit
landed at Inchon during the Korean war and eventually liberated Hung
Nam concentration camp where Rev. Moon was imprisoned. The next time
was during the Watergate crisis of the Nixon administration, when Haig
was the White House Chief of Staff. He appreciated Rev. Moon's call
for an objective and just treatment of President Nixon during the
highly charged atmosphere then gripping the nation.
	The third time their lives intersected was when Haig was Secretary of
State during the Reagan administration at the height of the cold war.
Haig explained that it was not the buildup of military hardware that
was the main cause of the fall of communism during the Reagan era.
Rather, he said, it was the winning of the intense educational battle
fought on the pages of the nation's newspapers and on the college
campuses which was the main reason for communism's demise. He credited
Rev. Moon with leading that battle. 
	In an emotionally charged after-dinner speech, Rev. Moon addressed
the conference theme and spoke in depth about such topics as 'the
school of life', 'the unity of the spirit world' and 'the three stages
of life'. He implored the participants to prepare themselves for the
after life by living a righteous and pure life while on earth.  He
then asked them to go back to their communities and work hard for
world peace.
	Ambassador Phillip Sanchez, former US ambassador to Honduras and
international newspaper publisher, introduced Gen. Haig. He said that
whenever America's liberty was threatened, Gen. Haig has responded
with all his heart, risking his life many times to secure the freedoms
he vitally cherishes.
	Several beautifully performed songs by The Little Angels of Korea
choral group preceded the evening's speeches.  The Little Angels,
having recently returned from a North Korean cultural peace tour which
deeply moved the hearts of both nations, introduced two new North
Korean songs into their repertoire which were particularly well
received by the Koreans in the audience.  They also sang several
popular tunes in English and enchanted the audience with their
enthusiasm and warm smiles.