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CHRISTIAN 'SLAVE REDEEMERS' LINKED TO PRO-APARTHEID MILITANTS

By: Ismail Royer, iViews.com Washington Bureau Chief, 12/21/99

CONTACT: [log in to unmask]

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Excerpts:

"In spite of the odds, the Christians [of Sudan] are 'doing
something' about their situation, they are standing up against the
evil of Islam. . . not only fighting for survival, but fighting to
win back that nation for Christ." - DEREK HAMMOND, missionary
affiliated with South African pro-apartheid group, Frontline
Fellowship

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"WASHINGTON, DC - Iviews.com has learned that Christian 'slave
redeemers' who are allied with Sudanese rebels have close links to
militant South African missionary groups with ties to the former
apartheid government of South Africa.

"Swiss-based Christian Solidarity International (CSI) is one of the
most prominent missionary groups involved in the Sudanese war. CSI
portrays the conflict as a war imposed by the Muslim and Arab North
to forcibly convert a black African Christian South. 'The Government
of Sudan is waging a 'Holy War' to Islamize by force the ethnically
and religiously diverse country,' reads CSI literature. Experts say
that while religion plays a role in the conflict, this view of the
war is narrow and simplistic...

"...One of CSI's top officials is Gunnar Wiebalck, a white South
African in charge of disaster aid at the group's international
headquarters in Switzerland. Along with CSI activist John Eibner,
Wiebalck is a high-profile participant in CSI's 'slave redemption'
missions.

"Wiebalck is also the former executive secretary of South Africa-
based United Christian Action (UCA). UCA is an umbrella body of
militant right-wing Christian groups that defended white minority
rule during the apartheid era. A secret South African army document
revealed in 1997 before the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
identified UCA as a covert propaganda project of the Apartheid
government's security apparatus. UCA's main role was to combat anti-
apartheid activism...

"...Wiebalck is only one player in a web of support by veteran South
African, pro-apartheid activists for Sudan's rebels..."

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To view the entire article, go to:
http://www.iviews.com/

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