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

[C. G. Estabrook]

Karen has done us a service by drawing together these statements, which of 
course include a lot of important points.  But, when they're juxtaposed like 
this, they seem to reveal how successful the co-option of the antiwar movement 
has been.

The new administration is expanding the killing in what they call "the central 
front of the war on terrorism" -- Afghanistan.  These statements however imply 
that the war on Afghanistan is at least to some extent justified, and not what 
it in fact is, an example of the "supreme international crime" (i.e., worse than 
terrorism), an aggressive war.

Thus the first statement omits any mention of "the central front"; the second 
implies that a "decision to escalate military force in Afghanistan" might be 
appropriate; and the last asks the USG merely to "establish real diplomacy in 
Afghanistan." (Would Germany be asked to "establish real diplomacy in Poland" in 
1939?)

The antiwar movement should be demanding that the US end its war in Afghanistan; 
pay reparations through the UN or other international agency; and prosecute 
those US officials responsible for this illegal war.  That should be part of the 
general demand that the US end its war for control of energy resources in SW 
Asia and remove its troops (and NATO troops) from the region.  --CGE


Karen Medina wrote:
> 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.
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.chambana.net
> http://lists.chambana.net/cgi-bin/listinfo/peace-discuss