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49
the probability of a North Korean invasion. (406)
To prevent such events, Moon hoped to sway U.N. delegates by calling their
attention to the difficulties of some 6,000 Japanese wives who had returned to
North Korea with their husbands. From October 22 to 29, 1974, approximately
600 UC members fasted in front of the United Nations under the auspices of the
"American Committee for Human Rights of Japanese Wives of North Korean
Repatriates."
Moon, in a talk at his headquarters in Tarrytown, N.Y., 2 days before the fast,
emphasized the humanitarian goals of the event and denied any political aims:
"The master of the Unification Church, Reverend Moon, having known all the
facts, has endeavored to expose them, and we are now at the culmination of our
activities. We will reflect it in the U.N. Assembly, and we are going to bring it out
on the scene of the whole world. I am not doing this as a politician with ambition,
but I am doing this for humanitarian purposes under the will of God. That's all."
(407)
347
However, he indicated an ulterior motive when he cautioned fasters not to speak
in political terms.
"You must remember that you should not be saying anything in political terms.
You must say, "We are not concerned about political things. We are not doing
this for political reasons, but out of humanitarian motivation." Then this is the best
chance for us to realize multiple goals. Perhaps one of the reporters would stick
out the microphone and ask you if Reverend Moon said anything political to you
to encourage you. Then you can clearly answer that Reverend Moon has always
said things in terms of God's providence and that in the will of God we must do
this and that, but never once has he said things in political terms. We are
motivated to do things for religious reasons and for humanitarian reasons. That's
why we are doing this. That is your answer. "(Italics added) (408)
A 1975 compilation of lectures given by Ken Sudo during a 120-day training
session held for UC members also showed a different picture of the fast.
"In the United Nations, the propaganda from North Korea is very strong. UN
delegates from all over the world were about to become involved with the North
Korean delegates. When we started, we started. And we invited to Belvedere
many delegates from the United Nations. And we fasted for seven days against
North Korea just in front of the United Nations and we persuaded, persuaded,
and persuaded and when we sent the letter, we got victory. Because of all sorts
of Unification Church members, North Korea was defeated. The United Nations
decided to stay in South Korea, therefore, Father was very happy to see this
victory.
Therefore, the Korean Government is much indebted to the Unification
Church. [UC member]: Last year, when we started at the United Nations, there
were 21 nations supporting South Korea and 34 supporting North Korea. And
when the vote came up, there were 61 nations (which was an increase of 40)
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