Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations
Washington Office for Advocacy
1320 18th Street, Suite 300B Washington, DC 20036
(202) 296-4672 x15 fax (202) 296-4673
Rob Cavenaugh, Director
rcavenaugh@uua.org
http://www.uua.org/uuawo

WE URGE YOU TO OPPOSE PRE-EMPTIVE, UNILATERAL MILITARY ACTION AGAINST IRAQ BEFORE PEACEFUL, DIPLOMATIC CHANNELS HAVE BEEN EXHAUSTED; AND AUTHORIZE FORCE ONLY AS PART OF AN INTERNATIONAL COALITION

October 4, 2002

Dear Senator,

On behalf of the more than 1,050 congregations that make up the Unitarian Universalist Association, I urge you to oppose any resolution that would allow for the pre-emptive, unilateral use of military force against Iraq. The President should provide compelling evidence to Congress that peaceful, diplomatic methods for reducing Iraq's threat to US security have been exhausted before the use of force is authorized. Even then, Congress should only authorize the use of US military forces as part of international coalition.

First and foremost, if the United States seeks the enforcement of international law, as expressed in United Nations Security Council Resolutions, than it must work through the Security Council. To do otherwise would flout the very international legal principles that the Administration is seeking to uphold. The Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations has passed more than 6 major statements since 1961 affirming our support for the United Nations. We believe that the United Nations was created precisely for situations like this, so that conflicts between nations could be resolved diplomatically, not militarily. These channels should be exhausted before any use of force is authorized.

Second, the human and financial costs associated with the unilateral use of force are staggering. The human cost, measured in the lives of both US and Iraqi soldiers and civilians, could easily be many times the number who died on September 11. Financially, in these times of market uncertainty and growing budget deficits, it is morally and fiscally irresponsible to take what could easily be more than 75 billion dollars away from domestic programs that meet human needs. Just two weeks ago, the New York Times reported that "according to US Census Data, the number of poor Americans rose last year to 32.9 million, an increase of 1.3 million, while the proportion living in poverty rose to 11.7 percent, from 11.3 percent in 2000." Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction, and the United States should be fighting it here at home.

Third, we fear that unilateral military action may further threaten our national security by fueling anti-US terrorism and increasing instability in a region that is already a powder-keg of violence. Past efforts to unilaterally install democracies have resulted in a backlash of reactionary regimes such as the Ayatollah in Iran, the Taliban in Afghanistan, and Pinochet in Chile.

Last, we oppose the doctrine of pre-emption. Not only does it isolate the US from the international community and international law, but it also creates an incredibly dangerous precedent for other nations to follow. While the Cold War-era doctrine of containment may be outdated, we believe it should be replaced with one that acknowledges the increasing interdependence among national politics and economics, and commits the United States to supporting international institutions.

We believe that the stakes are too high, and the proof of imminent threat to low, to warrant authorizing force without more compelling evidence, public debate, and serious Congressional deliberation. The principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations affirm both the "use of the democratic process" and the "goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all," and it is in this spirit that I write to you today. Promoting security and respect for international law are just and worthy goals, but our means must reflect our ends.

In Faith,

Robert K. Cavenaugh
Director

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