John Sweeney Letter to Congress
Dear Senator/Representative:
I am writing on behalf of the AFL-CIO concerning United States policy towards
Iraq and the request by President Bush for authorization to respond to threats
posed by the current regime in Iraq. As you debate the joint resolution we urge
you to consider a number of important matters.
The AFL-CIO and the American labor movement have stood firmly in support of
President Bush in the war on terrorism. We believe that the apprehension of
those responsible for the heinous attacks on America last year and the destruction
of the al Qaida terrorist network remain significant American priorities. The
U.S. Congress must insure that our policy towards Iraq does not distract our
nation from this vital mission nor make that mission more difficult.
At the same time, we share the belief of the President and others that Saddam
Hussein is a menaceóto his own people, to stability in a critical region
of the world and potentially to America and our allies. How we determine the
extent and nature of this threat and how we respond to this threat are issues
now before the Congress and the American people.
The stakes in this national debate reach well beyond the immediate issue of
Iraq's dictatorship. We must deal with Hussein's lawlessness in a manner that
reinforces international law. We must treat his defiance of the United Nations
in a manner that respects that crucial institution and all it stands for. We
must counter the global terrorist threat that he poses in a manner that advances
our efforts to eliminate those who launched last yearís attacks, and
that cements our alliances with those throughout the world community who are
threatened.
We recognize we cannot defeat terrorism with military force alone. Prevailing
in this fight also will require aggressive diplomacy, exerting economic and
political force, and utilizing intelligence information and operations. The
world community must rededicate itself to the defense of basic human rightsóthe
freedom to speak, to assemble and to organize as well as the freedom from starvation,
from homelessness and from curable disease. This requires renewed global attention,
cooperation and action. The industrial nations, in particular, must significantly
increase our assistance for basic needs.
Our nationís long-term interests require that we assemble a broad international
coalition for an aggressive and effective policy of disarmament in Iraqóand
work through the United Nations to the greatest extent possible. America certainly
has the right to act unilaterally if we need to do so to protect our national
interests, but the AFL-CIO strongly believes that our national interests are
better protected by multilateral action. International institutions that are
so critical to our national interests should be fully supported and respected.
We fully concur that there must be an unfettered inspection system so that any
subsequent action is predicated upon conclusive proof about the extent and nature
of an Iraqi threat.
In addition to assembling the support of our allies abroad, the Administration
and the Congress must insure that the American people are fully informed and
supportive. America cannot engage in a conflict that involves the clear potential
for significant casualties, as well as social and economic costs, without a
fulsome public debate free of political inferences.
It is regrettable that some have sought to politicize this debate, challenging
the commitment to national security of those who raise questions and concerns
about these important mattersójust as some attempted to taint the debate
over the formation of a department of homeland security by trying to equate
a stand for workersí basic rights with a lack of patriotism. Such efforts
are not only despicableóthey obstruct and undermine the honest debate
about important, complex issues to which the American people are entitled.
Similarly, we are concerned about the timing of this debate. It appears to many
of our members that the sudden urgency for a decision about war and peace, an
urgency, which did not exist a month ago, has as much to do with the political
calendar as with the situation in Iraq. It is an apparent contradiction that
there is no similar urgency to take action to address the economic crisis that
is also inflicting immediate suffering on so many of our people.
The Congress and the Administration must be clear about both the short and long
term costs of action against Iraqójust as we must be clear about the
costs of inactionóand how such an action fits into our larger national
strategy of expanding democracy and stability in this important region of the
world. Americans should understand, to the extent possible, the long term commitment
of American resources and military personnel which may well be necessary to
achieve the final result of a stable and non-threatening Iraq. The Administration
should secure the support of our allies, both diplomatically and financially,
for any military action and costs associated with rebuilding Iraq. And the cost
of such action should not be used as a reason for not investing in other critical
national needs.
Whatever resolutions the Congress passes this week, it is vital that the Administration
present Americans with the evidence and considerations and make a sober judgment
before our forces are sent to war.
It is, after all, the sons and daughters of Americaís working families
who will be asked to carry out this mission. We must assure them that war is
the last option, not the first, used to resolve this conflict before we ask
them to put themselves in harmís way to protect the rest of us.
I urge you to consider all of these important matters as you debate this consequential
issue.
Sincerely,
John J. Sweeney
President