[Peace] Quakers pass resolution to withdraw troops

[Charlotte Green]

The U-C Friends Meeting (Quakers) has passed a
resolution calling on the U.S. congress to adopt a
sense of the Congress resolution declaring: "It is the
policy of the United States to withdraw all U.S.
military troops and bases from Iraq."  (The resolution
in its entirety follows this message.)  Channing
Murray Foundation has also passed the resolution and
First Mennonite Church has endorsed a statement that
calls for an end to the U.S. militray presence in
Iraq.  We are looking for other faith organizations
who are willing to make public statements calling for
the end of occupation in Iraq.  We would like to issue
a joint press release or have a press conference in
mid November. 


 Please contact Charlotte Green at chgreen48 at yahoo.com
if you would like more information.  We encourage
other faith groups to join us in this peacemaking
effort.

Resolution to Withdraw U.S. Military Troops and Bases
from Iraq

The following resolution calls on the United States
Congress to adopt a sense of the Congress resolution
declaring:  “It is the policy of the United States to
withdraw all U.S. military troops and bases from
Iraq.”   

The Resolution

Whereas President George W. Bush stated on April 13,
2004 that "as a proud and independent people, Iraqis
do not support an indefinite occupation and neither
does America" and that the U.S. will remain in Iraq
"as long as necessary and not one day more";

Whereas the perception that the U.S. intends to
permanently occupy Iraq aids insurgent groups in
recruiting supporters and fuels violent activity;

Whereas many insurgent groups have expressed a
willingness to engage in political dialogue if the
U.S. clearly states its intention to withdraw from
Iraq;

Whereas we can best honor the lives and memories of
all who have died in Iraq by expediting the end of the
war, bringing U.S. troops home as quickly as possible,
and supporting the Iraqi people in rebuilding their
country;

Whereas a clear statement of intent to fully withdraw
U.S. troops and bases does not imply the setting of a
particular deadline, time frame, or exit strategy;

Whereas such a statement would send a strong signal to
the people of Iraq and the international community
that the United States does not have imperial
intentions in Iraq and affirms that the Iraqi people
will regain through their elected representatives the
full exercise of national sovereignty, including
control over security and public safety;

Therefore, be it resolved that the community
group/religious organization/committee/individual
calls on the United States Congress to adopt a sense
of the Congress resolution declaring: "It is the
policy of the United States to withdraw all U.S.
military troops and bases from Iraq".


Information about the resolution:

Urbana-Champaign Friends Meeting passed this
resolution at its business meeting on September 18,
2005. The resolution is based on the Friends Committee
on National Legislation (FCNL) STEP Resolution
(Sensible Transition to an Enduring Peace).  An
important aspect of the resolution is that there is no
time table for withdrawal.  FCNL feels that there is a
greater likelihood that such a resolution will pass.
For more information on FCNL’s resolution, see
www.fcnl.org and click on “Issues We Work On”, then
“Iraq.