September 19, 2002
The Green Party is the largest political party
to formally issue a statement against the proposed war against Iraq.
The full statement can be viewed at www.gp-us.org/committees/intl
The Green Party of the United States is adamantly
opposed to President George W. Bush's plans to continue and expand
military operations against Iraq. The Bush administration claims
the invasion of Iraq would improve the security of citizens of the
United States, but it would do just the opposite. A U.S. war on
Iraq would undo decades of progress in international conflict resolution
and make the world a more dangerous place for everyone.
The United States should not undertake military
operations against Iraq for the following reasons:
- Peaceful means for addressing the possibility
that Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction have hardly
been exhausted.
- Allies in the region of Iraq are opposed
to the U.S. plans for an invasion. Anti-Americanism would be fueled
further by U.S. military action. Terrorist activity against U.S.
citizens would increase. Islamic countries would be less likely
to cooperate with the U.S. in anti-terrorism strategies.
- The overthrow of Saddam Hussein's regime
through a U.S. invasion is unlikely to lead to a democratic government
there. Iraqis, already suffering for a decade from the effects
of UN sanctions, would be likely to suffer more in the ensuing
chaos.
- There is no evidence that the security
and safety of the United States are directly threatened by Iraq.
Iraq has not been linked to Al Qaeda or other currently active
anti-American terrorists. Even if such evidence were to be presented,
unilateral attacks by the U.S. on Iraq would not be the most effective,
legal or moral option available.
- A war against Iraq would be immensely
costly at a time when resources are desperately needed for the
eradication of poverty both domestically and globally.
We therefore urge our fellow citizens of
the United States to raise their voices against the U.S. invasion
of Iraq. We must encourage the President and Congress to build a
true foundation for peace and security in these ways:
- Act in concert with the United Nations.
Support arms control initiatives in the entire Persian Gulf region,
as already specified in UN Security Council Resolution 687.
- Take substantial steps to free our foreign
policy from distortion by U.S. economic dependency on energy from
non-renewable fossil fuels. Encourage energy conservation and
invest heavily in the development of renewable energy.
- Shift investment from military spending
to address the basic needs of humanity, both within the United
States and around the globe: clean air and water, access to education
and health care, adequate housing and transportation, and civil
liberties.
In sum, the Green Party's key value of
non-violence implies that war is neither an effective nor justifiable
means for resolving disputes between nations. The United States
is in a position of unprecedented economic and military power in
the global scene. We should use that power to work towards security
and peace through justice, rather than through intimidation and
military destruction.
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