There is no military solution in Iraq. We therefore
call upon our government to end the military and economic occupation
of Iraq and to withdraw our troops by a date certain. There is no justification
for letting any young American be the last to die for a mistake.
The U.S. has a moral and legal responsibility to help finance humanitarian
relief and economic reconstruction. We must work with the UN and other international
partners to enhance the security and economic development of a post-Saddam,
post-American Iraq.
U.S. actions in Iraq are squandering precious lives, national treasure and
international support. The prisoner abuse scandal has shamed America before
world opinion and increased the danger to U.S. troops. The occupation is
shattering hopes for genuine Iraqi freedom and undermining U.S. and international
security.
A majority of Iraqis want American forces to leave Iraq now. The mere presence
of an unwelcome occupation force, exacerbated by the criminal treatment of
Iraqi detainees, is fostering insurgency. Our soldiers have become vulnerable
targets and are unable to restore order or get on with the business of rebuilding
the country. More troops will not change the reality that Iraqis and most
of the world view the American presence as illegitimate and unwelcome.
We demand full accountability for all those responsible for the abuse of
Iraqi prisoners, including senior-level military and civilian officials.
Lower-ranking troops must not be made scapegoats. The cavalier disregard
for international law reflected in this scandal has characterized the entire
U.S. mission in Iraq.
The plans for creating an interim government on June 30th should foster genuine
Iraqi self-rule, not perpetuate U.S. control. Iraqis must have command over
their own security forces, and the right to negotiate an agreement setting
terms for the operation of foreign troops on their soil. The interim government
should have authority over the Iraqi economy and oil revenues and the right
to reverse or modify decisions made by the U.S. appointed governing authority.
Absent these conditions, Iraqi "sovereignty" will be a sham.
We reject the argument that America cannot withdraw
from a costly, bloody occupation that was mistaken from the beginning.
Such a course will only doom more Americans and Iraqis to die for a
dubious cause at costs we cannot afford. To those who claim that American
credibility is at stake, we say that the best way to restore America‚s
credibility, respect and honor in the world is through the success
of a vigorous citizen’s movement in ending the occupation and
holding those responsible fully accountable. The Win Without War coalition
is fully committed to this end.
A statement on Iraq by the Wellstone Democratic Renewal
Club
Alameda County California