WHEREAS:

Despite a sustained drumbeat for unilateral action, on October 11, the U.S. Congress passed a joint resolution on Iraq authorizing President Bush to use war as a last resort — if diplomacy fails to accomplish the U.S.'s national goals. The United Nations Security Council unanimously passed the United States/United Kingdom resolution on November 8th, requiring Iraq to accept weapons inspections and provide a detailed report on their weapons capabilities. Inspectors returned to Iraq on November 18th and Iraq delivered its weapons report on December 8th; and

WHEREAS:

The United States has made a commitment to approaching the danger that Saddam Hussein poses through the international community. The resumption of the inspections regime is a triumph for the United States, international law and multilateralism. Our nation's long-term interests require that we assemble a broad international coalition for an aggressive and effective policy of disarmament in Iraq—and work through the United Nations; and

WHEREAS:

AFSCME and the American labor movement have firmly supported 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. We should not be distracted from this vital mission, which is a separate matter from the question of whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction; and

WHEREAS:

America cannot engage in a conflict that involves the clear potential for significant casualties, as well as social and economic costs, unless there has been a thorough debate of the issues and the American people are fully informed and supportive. It is regrettable that some have sought to politicize this debate by challenging the patriotism of those who raise questions and concerns about these important matters-just as some attempted to taint the debate over the formation of a department of homeland security by trying to equate a stand for workers' basic rights with a lack of patriotism. Such efforts obstruct and undermine the honest debate about important, complex issues to which the American people are entitled; and

WHEREAS:

It is vital that the President provide Americans with the evidence and considerations and make a sober judgment before our forces are sent to war. Our country's military forces are in large part made up of American workers and their families, including many members or family members of AFSCME. They 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 harm's way to protect the rest of us.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED:

That AFSCME believes that we must continue to deal with Hussein's lawlessness in a manner that reinforces international law. AFSCME strongly believes that our national interests are best protected by multilateral action. The United Nations, so critical to our national interests, must be fully supported and respected. There must be an unfettered inspection system so that any future action is predicated upon conclusive proof of the extent and nature of an Iraqi threat; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:

That AFSCME urge that Congress and the Administration demonstrate the courage to provide funds for massive needs on the home front, including helping the nation's cities and states through fiscal crisis, meeting the health care needs of millions of Americans, and strengthening our education system. Congress and the Administration must not use Iraq as a reason to neglect the crisis at home.

ADOPTED BY: INTERNATIONAL EXECUTIVE BOARD OF THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL EMPLOYEES (AFSCME)

DECEMBER 2002