We are witnesses to war. There can be no doubt, no confusion, no denial of this fact. For months now, the world has witnessed war. Terrified, we’ve looked on as troops – our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters – bravely leave home for the distant battlefield. Frustrated, we’ve watched broadcast images of the Baghdad night sky, streaked with fire and smoke. Speechless, we’ve gazed at photos of violence raging through Iraqi streets. Horrified, we’ve listened to the daily reports of suicide bombings and guerrillas attacks upon soldiers and civilians alike. Tearful, we’ve stared at the continuous barrage of headlines: “Death Toll in Iraq Rising.” For months now, we have been witnesses to war.

Photo by David Radcliff

When US military forces invaded Iraq in the Spring of 2003, the nation was led to believe that this would be a quick operation with limited loss of life. Nothing has been further from the truth. On average, 30 to 35 attacks against US troops occur EVERY DAY. The fighting rages on. Homes are destroyed. Lives are lost. The past is shattered through the ransacking of a museum of priceless Iraqi history. The present is wiped away as homes are demolished. The future is erased as children are caught in the crossfire. Fear prevails. Uncertainty is the ruling party. We are indeed witnesses to the horrors of war.

But it doesn’t have to be this way. The US has committed itself to Iraq, now it must follow through in an effort to put an end to the violence.

TAKE ACTION!

Congress needs to hear from YOU. They need to know that you oppose this horrific war. They need to know that you support our troops and that you want them HOME! And they need to know that you want to make sure that the rebuilding of Iraq is done properly, that Iraqis are cared for, that a normal life will be available to all who live in this war-torn nation.

Ten years of sanctions and two wars have devastated Iraq. A process of rebuilding and reconstruction needs to begin. The US military CANNOT do this alone. In order for Iraqis to receive proper aid, an international coalition of peacekeepers needs to take charge of this situation. Ask your senators and representatives to bring our troops home AND to support an international peacekeeping/rebuilding effort. The people of Iraq need clean water, electricity, a sense of security and a promise of hope. Only the citizens of the world can help to achieve this.

Contact your members of Congress and tell them that you support an international rebuilding and humanitarian effort. If you do not know the names of your senators or representatives, or would like their fax numbers, contact the Brethren Witness/Washington Office electronically at Washington_office_gb@brethren.org or through our TOLL FREE NUMBER at 1-800-785-3246. Here are some talking points you may consider when speaking with your congressperson:

• It is important that the world community does not turn a blind eye to the people of Iraq. The war rages on, and countless suffer.
  
  
• Although the US does have a responsibility to the people of Iraq, it does not have the experience or the mandate to effectively secure or rebuild an entire nation. One should look no further than Afghanistan as an example. Little has been accomplished to bring about an effective democracy in place of the Taliban. Currently, warlords control most of the country outside of Kabul. As a result, the US should go back to the UN Security Council to seek aid and assistance from the international community to help rebuild Iraq.
  
  
• A "go-it-alone" approach by the US could further alienate our allies and fuel the fires of Anti-American feelings around the world. We NEED international support to help rebuild Iraq.
  
  
• Humanitarian aid is best left to those who will have the most experience and means, specifically the civilian agencies under the direction of the UN.
  
  
• Rebuilding a country is not cheap – estimates range from $95 billion to over $1 trillion. Only help from the international community can provide this type of support. Sharing this economic burden will happen only if the US shares responsibility in a post-war Iraq.
  
  
• If the goal of this invasion was indeed to help create a “free and democratic” Iraq, then Iraqi citizens should be given greater responsibility and authority in the reconstruction of their own country, especially in relation to public safety and security.
  
  
• The US should provide greater transparency as to the reconstruction process in Iraq. Congress has approved close to $167 billion to rebuild Iraq. Are these US tax dollars being put to good use? Also, priority in reconstruction should be given to Iraqi businesses and contractors. Allowing large US corporations like Halliburton unfair access to Iraq only perpetuates the image of US imperialism.
  
  
• These current trends of “pre-emptive war” and “might-makes-right” foreign policy should be discouraged. They will only lead to more bloodshed.

If peace is to be restored, it is important that the world does not turn its back on a war-torn Iraq. Now more than ever is the time for compassion, for aid, for relief. We have acted with weapons, and the result has been war. We must now act with our hearts, so that peace may prevail.

CoB Policy:

The Church of the Brethren takes the issue of Iraq with the utmost seriousness. Consider these Annual Conference and General Board Statements below. It is clear from these resolutions that the issue of Iraq is one of great importance to the Church. In addition, please visit our web page detailing the December 2001 Brethren Faith Expedition to Iraq. Another Faith Expedition to Iraq is tentatively scheduled for the spring of 2004. You can also visit our page on Conscientious Objection. It’s never too early to start considering your views on peace.

AC 1987 A Quest for Order AC 1988 Responsible Citizenship in an Election Year GB 1990 Resolution on the Gulf Crisis GB 1998 Statement on the Conflict with Iraq GB 2002 Statement on the Threat of War Between the United States and Iraq

Information/Links:

	Education for Peace in Iraq Center (EPIC) works to improve the human condition in Iraq by educating and mobilizing the American public to affect nonviolent social change as well as a shift in US foreign policy. http://epic-usa.org/
	The Church of the Brethren has been active in its efforts to promote a just peace between the United States and Iraq. The office of Brethren Witness has played a key role in this action through Ramadan-Christmas card exchanges, a winter 2001 delegation, and more. www.brethren.org/genbd/witness/iraq.htm
	AFSC's Iraq Program provides resources for activists, teachers, and the general public urging a peaceful and just resolution to the Iraq crisis. http://www.afsc.org/IRAQ/Default.htm
	The Iraq Action Coalition is an online media and activists' resource center for groups and activists who are working to end the war against the people of Iraq. http://leb.net/IAC/
	Sojourner Magazine http://www.sojo.net/terror/index.cfm/
	Electronic Iraq, an online news resource, provides current information and news analysis on the subject of Iraq, firsthand accounts of those living and working in this region, and updates on the effort to avert war. http://electroniciraq.net/news/index.shtml