Hollywood, Fla.
America’s working families and their unions fully support the efforts to disarm the dictatorial regime of Saddam Hussein. This is best achieved in concert with a broad international coalition of allies and with the sanction of the United Nations. We believe there may be times when we must stand alone and act unilaterally in defense of our national security. But, in the context of the global war on terrorism, the threat posed by Saddam Hussein deserves multilateral resolve, not unilateral action. We are pleased that the administration has decided to seek additional United Nations sanction.
Saddam Hussein is a demagogue and a despot, with an appalling human rights record over the past two decades. He rules the Iraqi people through torture, murder and fear. His rogue regime has invaded Iran and Kuwait and launched missiles against the civilian populations of neighboring countries. Repeatedly, he has proven his intent to manufacture and conceal stockpiles of biological and chemical weapons, while working relentlessly to build a nuclear capacity. Again and again, his regime has defied the resolutions and agreements of the United Nations.
A decade ago, when Iraq invaded its neighbor, Kuwait, the United States organized a broad coalition of our allies to stand united against this aggression—and that aggression did not stand.
Today, however, there is no such unity of resolve. While every nation agrees with the goal of disarmament, the global community is deeply divided over how this should be accomplished. In cities around the world, people are taking to the streets to speak out against a war in Iraq. Here at home, more than 100 cities have passed resolutions opposing military action against Iraq without United Nations sanction. Many citizens, while supporting the goal of disarmament, are not convinced that war now is the only option.
Such divisions, not only among our allies but also within our nation, stand in sharp contrast to the unity and global solidarity that America enjoyed in the days and months after September 11, 2001. Now, just a year-and-a-half later, we have squandered much of that goodwill, managed to insult many of our strong allies and divided the world at a time when it should speak as one. The president has not fulfilled his responsibility to make a compelling and coherent explanation to the American people and the world about the need for military action against Iraq at this time. America has always been a peace-loving nation, slow to take up arms and resolute in pursuit of diplomatic resolution to crises. This administration’s actions are sadly eroding that reputation and the respect it accords us.
The AFL-CIO has a particularly strong interest in the escalating conflict with Iraq, as it does in all conflicts involving the American armed forces. Those who fight for the United States are, as they always have been, the men and women of America’s working families. The AFL-CIO is proud to represent thousands now serving in our armed forces. The AFL-CIO reiterates its support for all working men and women in our armed forces and honors their courage.
The process by which we, as members of the family of nations, decide how to deal with such international threats is critical to our future. The threat of terrorism with a global reach is real. We have experienced the terrible destruction it can wreak. To respond to that threat, America will need the support of our allies and the major nations of the world. Our country and our families will be more secure if America is the respected leader of a broad coalition against terrorism, rather than isolated as a lone enforcer.
We call upon the world community to speak with one voice to demand that disarmament take place in Iraq without delay, and that the inspectors be accorded full cooperation. We call upon the administration to pursue a broad global consensus to apply the maximum pressure on Iraq, ensuring that war, if it comes, will truly be a last resort, supported by both our allies and nations united. And we call on Iraq to comply with the demands of the United Nations, the only course to avoiding the war no one desires.