WASHINGTON (January 26, 1998) -- The Chairman of the U.S. Catholic Conference International Policy Committee has urged the Clinton Administration "to support and encourage all efforts to bring peace" to strife-torn Algeria.

In a letter Friday to Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright, Archbishop Theodore E. McCarrick of Newark expressed alarm over recent massacres in Algeria and other "crimes against humanity which are intolerable." Algeria has been plunged into violence since election results were canceled by the government five years ago.

"As religious leaders we cannot remain silent as hundred of innocent civilians are killed on a weekly basis," Archbishop McCarrick said.

Text of Archbishop McCarrick's letter.

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