[1832] in peace2
more info on Iraq call-in day of action
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Aimee L Smith)
Mon Jul 29 16:36:03 2002
Message-Id: <200207292035.QAA18623@gold.mit.edu>
To: peace-announce@MIT.EDU, greens-announce@MIT.EDU
Mime-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1
Mime-Version: 1.0
Date: Mon, 29 Jul 2002 16:35:50 -0400
From: Aimee L Smith <alsmith@MIT.EDU>
Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit
Another call-in notice on Iraq, and yes, Sen. Kerry is on the
Senate Foreign Relations committee, so all MA folks should feel free
to ask that they be properly "represented" by their elected official.
His local number is (617)565-3870
I apologize for duplication, and please spread the word!
In hope,
Aimee
This action alert is from EPIC (Education for Peace in Iraq Center).
*************************
I. Update: Possible Pre-Deployment of Troops Underway
II. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hearing: Witness List Revealed
III. TAKE ACTION: CALL CONGRESS TODAY (Monday July 29)
IV. Talking Points
*************************
I. UPDATE: POSSIBLE PRE-DEPLOYMENT OF TROOPS UNDERWAY
This week, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will hold hearings on
whether or not the United States should escalate its war against Iraq. While
the Senate s move to uphold its constitutional responsibilities is welcome, it
may already be too late. According to some reports, the Bush administration
has already decided to invade Iraq and begun preparations for a massive
deployment overseas. If true, why has Congress and the U.S. public been left
out of a decision of this magnitude?
According to the Department of Defense website, the 1179th Deployment Support
Battalion out of Brooklyn, New York (over 5,900 soldiers responsible for
processing troop deployments) has been activated. This could indicate
preparations for a larger movement overseas. The U.S. has other deployments in
Korea, Germany, Italy, Japan, Turkey, and at sea. In addition, there is a
continuous presence of about 20,000 U.S. military personnel near Iraq's
borders (Washington Post, 07/28/02).
Activations of Reserve and National Guard units are another indication that
the Bush administration may be preparing a political October surprise. As of
July 17, the total number of Reserve and National Guard soldiers on active
duty is over 82,000. Even with airport security and other post 9/11 missions,
this number is extremely high. Furthermore, a surprising number of combat
units (including tank battalions) have been recently called up. Though it is
still too early to say definitively, these signs point toward war.
Is the U.S. being pushed into a war with Iraq by a faction in Washington
acting out its own self interest? Have the voices of the American public and
their elected officials been shut out of the debate? Please take action today
to ensure your voice is heard. There is still time to act.
*************************
II. WITNESS LIST
As of now, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearings will be split into
5 panels to be held over a two day period on July 31st and August 1st. The
panel topics include:
Panel I: The Threat
Panel II: Possible Responses
Panel III: Regional Considerations
Panel IV: The Day After
Panel V: Summing Up, National Security Perspectives
Of the witnesses slated to testify, there is a noticeable lack of skeptics of
a U.S. first strike policy against Iraq. Meanwhile, pro-invasion hawks will be
represented by Charles Duelfer, Geoffrey Kemp, Rend Rahim Franke, and Khidir
Hamza, among others. For a full list of witnesses, visit the website of the
Senate for Relations Committee at: http://foreign.senate.gov/briefing/hearingsc
hedule.html
Since EPIC and other groups sent out alerts last week, the Senate has been
flooded with constituent calls that Scott Ritter testify. Now we need you to
call for other witnesses. In light of the fact that a decision to invade Iraq
may have already been made, ask that critical voices be represented, such as
Laith Kubba, David Cortright or Alistair Millar, and Hans von Sponeck or Denis
Halliday. And, if your Senator sits on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee,
urge them to represent your concerns by asking questions like those outlined
below. [Use the talking points and Take Action sections below to learn what
you can do today!]
*************************
III. TAKE ACTION: NATIONAL CALL IN DAY TODAY (Monday, July 29)!
CALL the offices of SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS CHAIRMAN JOSEPH BIDEN (D-DE) at
202-224-5042 and SENATOR JESSE HELMS (R-NC) at 202-224-6342. Strongly urge
them to include, as witnesses, Iraqi intellectual and pro-democracy advocate
Laith Kubba; David Cortright or Alistair Millar from the Fourth Freedom Forum;
Former UNSCOM Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter; and Hans von Sponeck or Denis
Halliday, former UN Humanitarian Coordinators in Iraq.
If YOUR OWN SENATOR sits on the FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE (check roster
below), strongly request that they ask questions at this week's hearings,
addressing justifications for and risks involved in a U.S. military invasion.
Be very clear about your concerns as a constituent. The following are some
questions you may wish to offer to your Senator for the hearings:
WHY?
+ What has Iraq done since 1990 to justify risking the lives of hundreds of
thousands of American service men and women and millions of Iraqi civilians in
yet another war?
+ What is the hard evidence linking Iraq to the September 11 attacks?
+ How can we ensure that UNMOVIC and other UN arms control programs return to
Iraq, an action that can both prevent war and ease economic sanctions?
+ As a signatory to the UN Charter and member of the Security Council, how
will the U.S. justify a unilateral invasion of Iraq under international law?
AT WHAT COST?
+ What will happen once Saddam Hussein is removed?
+ What are estimated numbers of civilian casualties?
+ How many U.S. troops will be required and what are plans for force
protection from chemical weapons, depleted uranium, and other possible toxic
exposures?
+ What will be the cost to taxpayers and where will the money come from?
+ Might an invasion negatively impact the international effort to bring those
responsible for 9/11 to justice?
+ Are we prepared to remain in Iraq and commit resources for five or more
years for nation-building?
SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE ROSTER:
Chair Joseph Biden (D-DE) 202-224-5042
Ranking Member Jesse Helms (R-NC) 202-224-6342
(And alphabetized by state)
Barbara Boxer (D-CA) 202-224-3553
Christopher Dodd (D-CT) 202-224-2823
Bill Nelson (D-FL) 202-224-5274
Richard Lugar (R-IN) 202-224-4814
Sam Brownback (R-KS) 202-224-6521
John Kerry (D-MA) 202-224-2742
Paul Sarbanes (D-MD) 202-224-4524
Paul Wellstone (D-MN) 202-224-5641
Chuck Hagel (R-NE) 202-224-4224
Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) 202-224-3224
Gordon Smith (R-OR) 202-224-3753
Lincoln Chafee (R-RI) 202-224-2921
Bill Frist (R-TN) 202-224-4944
George Allen (R-VA) 202-224-4024
Russ Feingold (D-WI) 202-224-5323
John Rockefeller (D-WV) 202-224-6472
Michael Enzi (R-WY) 202-224-3424
To contact your elected officials via email regarding hearings on Iraq, go to
NETWORK's (a Catholic Social Justice Lobby) Legislative Action Center at
http://capwiz.com/networklobby/home/on Under 'Elected Officials' subheading
enter your zip code. You will then be given a list of messages that you can
send to your Senators and Rep. Click on Hold Fair and Balanced Hearings on
Iraq. Modify text as you wish and send.
*************************
IV. TALKING POINTS
NO COMPELLING FACTS TO JUSTIFY WAR
There is no public evidence that Iraq represents a threat to the U.S. Instead,
speculation about the Iraqi regime has been put forth as justification for
risking thousands of American and Iraqi lives. The Iraqi military is not even
an offensive threat in the region. If Congress or the Bush administration is
threatening a new military action, the public has every right to see
compelling reasons for such sacrifice.
THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT IRAQI CIVILIANS WILL SUFFER AND DIE
A military invasion of Iraq will likely kill thousands more from a population
that has already suffered from the Iran-Iraq War, the Gulf War and over a
decade of crippling economic sanctions. The toppling of Saddam Hussein's
regime with no viable plan for replacement would likely plunge Iraq's
religious and ethnic groups into a bloody civil war for control of the country.
ONLY CONGRESS HAS THE RIGHT TO DECLARE WAR
Members of the Bush administration have begun to draw the U.S. into a war with
Iraq without consulting Congress. The Constitution states that only Congress
is authorized to declare war. Congressional authorization that allowed
President Bush to wage war in Afghanistan only applies to those who planned,
authorized, committed, or aided the terrorist attacks that occurred on
September 11, 2001, or harbored such organizations or persons. To this day, no
concrete evidence linking Iraq to 9/11 has been produced.
WAR AGAINST IRAQ WILL MAKE NO ONE SAFER
The return of UN weapons inspectors is still the best way to investigate and
eliminate any weapons of mass destruction that the Iraqi regime may have. If
Saddam Hussein does possess such deadly weapons, he may be especially
compelled to use them [against U.S. troops or allied countries] in the event
of a U.S. invasion. A war on Iraq may also increase anti-American sentiments
abroad, increasing the likelihood of retaliation and further terrorist attacks
while negatively impacting U.S. relations, particularly in the Middle East and
Asia.
A WAR WITH IRAQ WILL COST BILLIONS OF DOLLARS
At a time of increasing federal deficits, a war and its aftermath would be
extremely expensive. Beyond the operational costs, buying the acquiescence of
allies in the region will surpass billions of dollars. Turkey alone wants the
U.S. to forgive over $5 billion of military debt to the United States.
Long-term costs could include disability benefits for wounded or sick
soldiers. Since the 1991 Gulf War, over 200,000 U.S. veterans have filed
claims with the Veterans Administration for injuries, illnesses and
disabilities that they directly connect to their Gulf War service.
Since no other nation has pledged to support a U.S. invasion (with perhaps the
exception of Britain), the multi-billion dollar expenses of war would have to
be assumed by American taxpayers.
U.S. TROOPS FACE URBAN WARFARE AND RISK TOXIC AND RADIOLOGICAL EXPOSURE
It has been estimated that 250,000 U.S. troops would be needed for a decisive
war against Iraq. If Saddam Hussein does possess chemical, biological or
nuclear weapons and his regime is threatened, there is little to deter him
from using toxic and radiological materials against U.S. troops. It is also
possible that U.S. service men and women would be engaged in urban warfare
similar to what occurred in 1993 in Mogadishu, Somalia.
WHILE WE FOCUS ON IRAQ, THE REAL PERPETRATORS OF 9/11 GO FREE
There is no proven link between Iraq and the events of September 11. Any
attempt to remove the leader of an independent nation without a legitimate
defensive justification violates international law. We have yet to capture
Osama bin Laden and operations in Afghanistan still continue. While the Bush
administration focuses on Iraq, those responsible for the attacks on 9/11 go
free.
EPIC Alerts
Education for Peace in Iraq Center
1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20003 USA
Tel.: 202.543.6176
Fax: 202.543.0725
http://www.epic-usa.org
EPICmedia@igc.org
