"Dear Prime Minister,

I write on behalf of members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia following the recent attacks on the USA. I offer our prayers for you and the Government at this critical time.

Like people throughout the world, our members have been shocked by the news of the attacks, and have sent messages of support to those we know in USA as a way of sharing the burden of the experience. We are grateful for the strength shown by many in the face of great tragedy and danger. We can appreciate your own sense of the immediacy of the events while you were in Washington, and of your wish to see an appropriate response.

Our commitment as a world-wide religious body over 350 years has been to seeking ways to promote non-violence and peace. The world faces a great challenge to remove the causes and use of violence, and we re-commit ourselves to this task. We expect to use our resources internationally and within Australia to extend our work for peace and justice.

It is our hope that you and other political leaders in Australia will weigh carefully the options before deciding upon action. In particular we seek assurances that any response will not create more victims, will not increase international tension, and will not put Australians and others at undue risk. We look to you for leadership in working with other nations, especially through the United Nations, to develop global strategies to reinforce peace and break the cycle of violence and retribution.

Your Friend,

Beverley Polzin
Yearly Meeting Secretary
on behalf of The Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) in Australia"

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