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Green Party of the United States
Statement in Opposition to U.S. Plans to Invade Iraq.
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:
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An attack on Iraq would be illegal. The United
States must hold to the highest standards and abide by international
law if it expects other nations to do so. The United Nations
Security Council has not authorized any military attacks on Iraq for
its failure to cooperate with United Nations weapons inspectors. In
fact, no UN Security Council resolutions concerning Iraq, including
SC Resolution 688 of 1991, have ever authorized the "no-fly
zones" over Iraq, declared unilaterally by the U.S. and
Britain. Yet these two countries have bombed Iraq in these zones
nearly daily for a decade.
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Peaceful means for addressing the possibility
that Iraq is developing weapons of mass destruction have hardly been
exhausted. The threat posed by Iraq must be confronted through
multilateral action by the United Nations, and not by the U.S.
acting alone.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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:
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Act in concert with the United Nations to address
any potential security risks posed by the regime of Saddam Hussein.
Support arms control initiatives in the entire Persian Gulf region,
as already specified in UN Security Council Resolution 687.
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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.
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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.
Prepared by the International Committee of the Green Party of the United
States
www.gp-us.org/committees/intl
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