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| City Council Resolution Against the War |
| Athens, GA DRAFT DRAFT DRAFT adapted from www.citiesforpeace.org comments encouraged and appreciated: [email protected] Proclamation In Opposition to a 'Pre-emptive Strike' against the Peoples of Iraq WHEREAS, we the people of Athens, Georgia, recognize that our health and security is predicated on the health and security of humanity and the global environment; and WHEREAS, there is a spirited debate on the possibility of a war with Iraq and there is a wide range of opinions in Athens about the advisability and likely consequences of war with Iraq; and WHEREAS, the Congressional Budget Office estimates a military action against Iraq will cost our nation between $9 and $13 billion a month, likely resulting in further cuts in federally funded projects and programs that benefit our community; and WHEREAS, the Athens-Clarke County Commission has the deepest respect for positions and opinions of those sectors that defend the lives of Americans, in particular the lives of U.S. service members, a disproportionate number of whom are from economically disadvantaged populations; and WHEREAS, any further military action would inflict greater injury upon innocent people, mostly civilians, already suffering from military activities and economic sanctions (UNICEF has determined that in the last twelve years of hostilities, more than 500,000 Iraqi children under the age of five have died due to the lack of water, food and medicine); and WHEREAS, security agencies such as the CIA and FBI have expressed the opinion that military action against Iraq would increase a climate of terror against U.S. citizens at home and abroad; and WHEREAS, a pre-emptive and unilateral U.S. military attack would possibly constitute a violate of international law and our commitments under the U.N. Charter; setting a dangerous precedent for the world community; and WHEREAS, a United States war against Iraq threatens to further destabilize the entire Middle East, possibly resulting in regional war; and WHEREAS, the post-Iraq war plans to make Iraq's oil resources available to private energy companies is both morally and politically repugnant; and WHEREAS, the Athens-Clarke County Commission has been asked by many residents of Athens to speak out on this momentous issue facing our community and our nation; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Athens-Clarke County Commission: HEREBY expresses our opposition to military action against the peoples of Iraq; and HEREBY urges the Bush administration and our federal representatives to actively support United Nations' diplomatic efforts; and HEREBY insists that our national government obey international law in the course of its international activities, including its efforts to promote the security of the American people; and HEREBY urges U.S. elected officials to pursue policies which decrease dependence on fossil fuels, and promote the current uses of alternative energy. A copy of this Resolution will be sent to the governor of Georgia, the President of the United States, and the Secretary General of the United Nations. |
| Any comments, ideas, or recommendations, send email to [email protected] |