As
advocates for women, we believe that
before engaging in war, any and all non-violent methods
should be used to resolve conflict.
Diplomacy and non-violent measures
are legitimate, effective and proven tools for diffusing
and resolving conflict.
The administration is currently recognizing
and using non-violent diplomatic means of conflict
resolution in response to North Korea's open violation
of international treaties against the development
of weapons of mass destruction.
We believe that our government
should focus its attention on eliminating terrorism
and bringing to justice the perpetrators of the September
11th attacks on the United States.
Entering into a simultaneous war
with Iraq is highly unlikely to reduce the threat
of terrorism against Americans, and has the potential
to increase hostility against the United States.
Alleviating poverty is one of the
most effective methods to decrease the probability
that countries will allow terrorists to operate inside
their borders. The costs of this war would decrease
the United States' ability to preempt future acts
of terror by investing in poor countries.
Our commitment to Afghanistan remains
largely unfulfilled and the realization of our promises
to rebuild a democratic government and equitable society
will require significant financial support over the
next ten years.
We express our grave concern
about the heavy toll this war will exact on U.S. families.
We are also concerned about the potential of war to
harm women and children, both as a strategic element
of combat and as a consequence of war.
Increases in United States military
expenditures have historically been accompanied by
cuts to domestic social programs designed to assist
the poor, the majority of whom are women and children.
Women in conflict zones always bear
heavy personal costs of wars that target them for
rape or torture, ruin their country's physical and
social infrastructure, destabilize their economies,
destroy their homes, and kill and maim their children
and families.
Therefore,
the National Council of Women's Organizations
Affirms
that advocating for peace and engaging in widespread
debate about the war are acts of patriotism.
Believes
that United States foreign policy should be driven
by human rights, justice and equality-values that
will decrease the threat of terrorism-and not by corporate
interests or the desire to secure natural resources
for U.S. consumption.
Opposes any preemptive military
action against Iraq at this time.
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