[Peace-discuss] Statements to Obama and the 111th Congress

[LAURIE SOLOMON]

>As Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States of America,
we 
>are more mindful than ever of the Promises for Peace he made to the
American 
>people during his campaign, especially his promises to: 

>* End the war in Iraq
>* Shut Down Guantánamo
>* Reject the Military Commissions Act
>* Stop Torture
>* Work to eliminate nuclear weapons
>* Hold direct, unconditional talks with Iran.
>* Abide by Senate approved international treaties.

Being the cynic that I am, I will note that all these campaign promises -
like all campaign promises - are plagued with vagueness and ambiguity - not
to mention the implicit "etc." clauses such as "if future conditions as I
determine them permit" and "in ways that I will determine when I get around
to taking up the promises."  Because no candidate is ever specific, it is
impossible to hold their feet to the fire in the future - even if and when
one is so predisposed.

-----Original Message-----
From: peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net
[mailto:peace-discuss-bounces at lists.chambana.net] On Behalf Of Karen Medina
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 11:39 PM
To: Peace-discuss List
Subject: [Peace-discuss] Statements to Obama and the 111th Congress

Different Groups and Their Statements to Obama and the 111th Congress

Code Pink's points to remind Obama of his promises 
------------------------------------------
As Barack Obama is sworn in as President of the United States of America, we

are more mindful than ever of the Promises for Peace he made to the American

people during his campaign, especially his promises to: 

* End the war in Iraq
* Shut Down Guantánamo
* Reject the Military Commissions Act
* Stop Torture
* Work to eliminate nuclear weapons
* Hold direct, unconditional talks with Iran.
* Abide by Senate approved international treaties.

RemindObama.org and www.codepink4peace.org

Code Pink is a national group with local chapters in most major U.S. cities.

Iraq Veterans Against the War's open letter to Obama 
-------------------------------------------
* Completely end the occupation of Iraq
* Give veterans full benefits and adequate healthcare (including mental
health)
* Pay reparations to the Iraqi people -- 4 million displaced, over 6 hundred

thousand dead, many hundreds of thousands suffer physical and emotional 
injuries. "The Iraqi people will be coping with the aftermath of our
unjustifiable 
invasion and occupation of their country for generations to come."
* Listen to the Afghan people and U.S. veterans of that conflict before
making 
any decision to escalate military force in Afghanistan.

http://ivaw.org/open_letter_to_obama

Iraq Veterans Against the War is a national group. There is a local chapter
in 
Champaign-Urbana.

Jewish Voice for Peace
------------------
Jewish Voice for Peace recognizes the rights of both Israelis and
Palestinians 
for security and self-determination. JVP promotes a U.S. foreign policy
based 
on peace, democracy, human rights, and respect for international law.

http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/publish/about.shtml

Jewish Voice for Peace is a national group.

Just Foreign Policy
---------------
Just Foreign Policy is asking Obama and the new Congress to reform U.S. 
foreign policy so that it reflects the values and interests of the majority
of 
Americans. Specifically urging them to:

Negotiate an agreement with the Iraqi government for the complete and timely

withdrawal of U.S. troops from Iraq, as the Iraqi government has demanded.
Establish real diplomacy with Iran, beginning with the establishment of US 
diplomatic representation in Iran. Reaffirm your pledge to talk to Iran
without 
preconditions. Make clear that the United States has no dispute with a
peaceful 
Iranian nuclear program that is transparent and complies with international 
agreements. Make clear that the United States has no dispute with peaceful 
cooperation between the governments of Iran and Iraq. Make clear that the 
United States welcomes the cooperation of Iran in helping to resolve the 
conflicts of the Middle East, including the conflict in Afghanistan, the 
Israel/Palestine conflict, and conflicts in Lebanon.

Optional additions: 
Establish real diplomacy in Afghanistan
Help resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict
Eepair relations with Bolivia and Venezuela
End the embargo against Cuba
Put military spending on the table for cuts

www.justforeignpolicy.org

Just Foreign Policy is a non-profit membership organization that aims to 
change the United States and the world by changing U.S. foreign policy.
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