Posted by Laura Koener on March 26, 2003 at 08:56:07:
Dear Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer,
For the world to ever truly know peace, America needs to place international law, agreements, and cohesiveness on the highest plain; above the whims of
administrations and frequently changing national ideals. Before we can complain of the atrocities committed by others with regard to international
law, we need to keep our own promises. We had an obligation to the United Nations to work within its body to resolve the crisis in Iraq. The Bush
Administration’s bullying rhetoric, along with our premature positioning of American troops in the Gulf, contributed as much or more to the breakdown of
international relations as did our allies’ refusal to “come back to the table.” Our rush to war first alienated our allies, and ultimately led us
to betray them.
We the undersigned believe firmly in the concept of the United Nations. We are deeply saddened that our country did not work with other world nations
to find a solution to the Iraqi problem that was agreeable to all. For selfish reasons, be they economic, strategic, or both, the United States
broke from the United Nations to carry out its own agenda. Now the United Nations is broken and we would like to see it repaired.
Senators, if the United Nations is a flawed institution, please do everything in your power to fix it. Work to make this international body just and fair, with real balances of power. And please devise a method for making America accountable to the United Nations; force our government to keep its promises to the world, even after those individuals or administrations that made them have long left office. Please restore our credibility. Mend the damage we have inflicted on the United Nations with such powerful adhesive that it cannot be broken again.
Thank you,
Laura Koerner and many members of the Sierra Foothills UU social action committee.