This will no doubt get buried in a thread Bob posted this in re: U.N. /WATCHTOWER Fellowship:
>> I just got a xerox of the following letter on Thursday night. The recipient is a friend of mine who is still technically an active JW. They also showed me the original.
=============================================
31 March 2003
Dear Mr. __________
Thank you for your inquiry regarding Watchtower Bible and Tract Society and the United Nations. Please be informed that the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society had been approved for association on 29 January 1992. They are all also Jehovah's Witnesses. W. L. Barry who was listed in the NGO Directory, had passed on. The remaining contact person, Ciro Aulicino, requested on 1 October 2001 that this NGO be deleted from the Directory.
Our attention has been brought to this NGO because of numerous fax, emails and telephone calls inquiring about when, why, how the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society is associated with DPI. A five-page fax from J.R. Passenger denouncing this NGO as one that openly condemned the United Nations, supplying quotes from their publications. Emails and calls from citizens from Brazil, Canada, Switzerland and the United States have been received with basically the same questions. We continue to receive emails regarding this NGO.
Please see below the paragraph included in all letters sent to NGOs approved for association.
" The principle purpose of association of non-governmental organizations with the United Nations Department of Public Information is the re-dissemination of information in order to increase public understanding of the principles, activities and achievements of the United Nations and its Agencies. Consequently, it is important that you should keep us informed about your organization's information programme as it relates to the United Nations, inciuding sending us issues of your relevant publications."
In addition, the criteria for NGOs to become associated with DPI, which has not changed since 1991, include the following:
· that the NGO share the ideals of the UN Charter;
· operate solely on a not-for-profit basis;
· have a demonstrated interest in United Nations issues and a proven ability to reach large or specialized audiences, such as educators, media representatives, policy makers and the business community;
· have the commitment and means to conduct effective information programmes about UN activities by publishing newsletters, bulletins and pamphlets, organizing conferences, seminars and round tables; and enlisting the cooperation of the media.
-2-
Please share this information with your concerned colleagues as we are unable to address the scores of duplicate requests regarding the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society that are being directed to our offices.
Thank you for your interest in the work of the United Nations.
Sincerely,
Isolda S. Oca
Information Officer
NGO Section
Department of Public Information