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06/16/08 Oberlin, OH passes No War on Iran Resolution |
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Last night, June 16, the Oberlin, OH City Council unanimously passed a resolution opposing preemptive attack on Iran.
Congratulations to the city of Oberlin!
WHEREAS, The Bush Administration and many of its Congressional allies are engaging in a systematic campaign to convince the American people and their representatives in Congress that the Islamic Republic of Iran threatens the safety and security of the United States of America, members of our armed forces overseas, and our allies; and
WHEREAS, In a strategy disturbingly reminiscent of the lead-up to the Iraq War and Occupation, the Bush Administration and its Congressional allies are using unreliable sources, exaggerated threat assessments, selective use of information, and questionable accusations as centerpieces of their case to the American people for war against Iran; and
WHEREAS, A U.S. strike on Iran would be deadly for tens if not hundreds of thousands of Iranian men, women and children; and endanger the lives of the military personnel in Iraq, and
WHEREAS, According to the estimates of many respectable Western intelligence agencies as emphasized by the U.S. National Intelligence Estimate of December, 2007 that Iran is years away from having a usable nuclear weapon, if indeed it is seeking to manufacture one at all; yet nevertheless the Bush administration seeks to convince the world that Iran's nuclear program is a clear and present danger; and
WHEREAS, Iran has not threatened to attack the United States and has not been convincingly shown to be likely to initiate such an attack; and therefore a U.S. attack would violate the United Nations Charter's prohibition against preemptive military attack; and
WHEREAS, A widening of the United States war in the Middle East would almost certainly drive all segments of Iranian society into increased hostility toward the United States, turning potential friends into enemies by sending a signal that the United States prefers violence to the peaceful resolution of disputes, and would invite retaliation against our troops in Iraq and elsewhere; and
WHEREAS, Comprehensive direct diplomatic talks between the United States and Iran would likely result in improved relations and reduced tensions between our nations; and
WHEREAS, Continued threats of violence and other aggressive or provocative actions exacerbate tensions with Iran and could obstruct efforts to cooperate with Iran over ending violence in Iraq, thereby delaying the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq; and
WHEREAS, The Iraq War has already cost the lives of almost 4,000 American soldiers, the serious maiming of over 30,000 American soldiers, and the death and maiming of hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilians, as well as the cost of over 400 billion dollars of American tax dollars; and embarking on yet another military campaign against a much stronger adversary could only further exacerbate international tensions, endanger the lives and livelihoods of millions of people both here and abroad, and do nothing to address the most serious problems facing the American people and humanity generally; now therefore be it
RESOLVED, that the Oberlin City Council calls on our representatives in Congress, Senator George V. Voinovich, Senator Sherrod Brown and Representative Marcy Kaptur,
(1) to ensure that no preemptive military attack by the U.S. against Iran takes place;
(2) to ensure that no provocative actions be carried out by the United States with the aim of precipitating a confrontation with Iran,
(3) to make clear to the administration that such a preemptive attack or provocation has not been authorized by any law, resolution, court ruling or article of the Constitution;
(4) to support diplomatic engagement with Iran; and
(5) to maintain pressure against all escalations of war in the Middle East; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Oberlin City Council directs the City Clerk to send copies of this Resolution to the President of the United States, our Congressional representatives, our Ohio legislative representatives, and all local media outlets; and to arrange that a copy of this resolution be placed on the Oberlin City website. |
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