[Peace-discuss] Fwd: FCNL: Legislative Action Message (10/24/02): PREVENT IRAQ WAR

Thu Oct 24 16:06:06 CDT 2002

>Date: Thu, 24 Oct 2002 16:29:56 -0400 (EDT)
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>Subject: FCNL: Legislative Action Message (10/24/02): PREVENT IRAQ WAR
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>FCNL LEGISLATIVE ACTION MESSAGE - October 24, 2002
>
>The following action items from the Friends Committee on National
>Legislation (FCNL) focus on federal policy issues currently before Congress
>or the Administration.
>
>TOPICS: CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE and PREVENT IRAQ WAR
>
>CONGRESSIONAL UPDATE: On October 17, members of Congress left Washington for
>the campaign trail leading to the November 5 elections.  After failing to
>pass most appropriations bills, Congress, prior to leaving, agreed to a
>continuing resolution (CR) that will keep domestic government programs
>operating at last year's funding levels through November 22.  Both chambers
>will return for a lame-duck session November 12-14.  Congress may extend the
>session further into November or beyond, however the schedule is not
>expected to be clarified until after the elections.
>
>This is the last Legislative Action Message that FCNL expects to post until
>mid-November when Congress returns to Washington.
>
>PREVENT IRAQ WAR: On Wednesday, October 23, the United States formally
>presented the full UN Security Council with a draft resolution that includes
>a threat of military action against Iraq.  The resolution has raised sharp
>criticism from France, Russia and China.  While it calls for renewed weapons
>inspections to be held under UNMOVIC (the United Nations Monitoring,
>Verification and Inspection Commission) and the IAEA (International Atomic
>Energy Agency), it also leaves open the door to war.  If there is "any
>interference by Iraq with inspection activities, as well as any failure by
>Iraq to comply with its disarmament obligations," the U.S. draft could be
>interpreted as a legal basis for a unilateral military attack against Iraq.
>
>In the weeks leading up to the election, voters can increase the already
>significant international pressure on the Bush Administration by standing up
>for the peaceful prevention of this war.  This war can still be prevented.
>An authorization of force by Congress, or even by the Security Council, does
>not mean that there will actually be a war.  More public advocacy for a
>peaceful outcome can do much to stop a pending escalation.  Voters need to
>add their voices to the mounting chorus of opposition which includes members
>of Congress, large segments of the U.S. military, and Security Council
>members.
>
>ACTION:  Attend local campaign events.  Question your members and candidates
>about the Iraq situation.  FCNL's October 17 LAM suggests questions to use
>(to view, click here: http://www.fcnl.org/act_lam_current/lam1017_02.htm).
>Ask members of Congress who voted in favor of the use of force resolution
>how they could have voted for a unilateral, preemptive war against Iraq when
>the Administration has still not answered many troubling questions about the
>level of threat and the potential consequences.  Publicly thank members who
>voted against the resolution and candidates who have spoken against a
>preemptive war on Iraq.  Ask candidates who have not taken a position how
>they would have voted on a war resolution.
>
>When November 5th rolls around, be sure to vote.  Remind family members and
>friends to vote.  Help others to get to the polls.  Use the November
>elections to vote against the war and demonstrate that a significant portion
>of the voting public believes this war can and should be prevented.
>
>BACKGROUND:  The U.S. resolution submitted to the Security Council on
>October 23 creates the basis for a legal justification for the use of force
>against Iraq.  Despite ongoing, concerted opposition by other permanent
>members of the Security Council, the U.S. resolution retains reference to
>"serious consequences," "material breach," and enforcement of inspections by
>"U.N. security forces or by member states."  It allows a brief period (about
>105 days) for Iraq to demonstrate compliance and UNMOVIC and the IAEA to
>report back to the Security Council. However, the U.S. resolution does not
>require a second Security Council resolution authorizing the use of force.
>Should Iraq interfere with or fail to comply with all disarmament
>obligations, the resolution leaves the door open for possible unilateral,
>preemptive U.S. military action.  France, supported by Russia, and China,
>favors a two-stage approach, which would leave the authorization of force to
>a second resolution by the Council.
>
>Under the terms of the United Nations Charter, a Security Council resolution
>is adopted when there are nine out of fifteen votes in favor and no negative
>votes from the five permanent members (United States, United Kingdom,
>France, Russia and China).  The Security Council will return on Friday,
>October 25 for further discussions and again on Monday, October 28 to meet
>with Hans Blix, the head of the UN weapons inspections team.  Negotiations
>will extend into the week of October 28.
>
>
>CONTACTING LEGISLATORS
>
>Capitol Switchboard: 202-224-3121 or 800-839-5276
>
>Sen. ________
>U.S. Senate
>Washington, DC 20510
>
>Rep. ________
>U.S. House of Representatives
>Washington, DC 20515
>
>Information on your members is available on FCNL's web site:
>http://capwiz.com/fconl/dbq/officials/directory/directory.dbq?command=congdi
>r
>
>CONTACTING THE ADMINISTRATION
>
>White House Comment Desk: 202-456-1111
>FAX: 202-456-2461
>E-MAIL: president at whitehouse.gov
>WEB PAGE: http://www.whitehouse.gov
>
>President George W. Bush
>The White House
>Washington, DC 20500
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