Advocacy message:

The way of war is not the path to peace.

For more than a decade, the United States has used weapons and sanctions as means of containing and controlling Iraq. President Bush has labeled Iraq to be part of an axis of evil. And the United States is now considering a major military action to overthrow the Iraqi government.

All of us long for a secure future. But war is not the way. War will:
	cause even more suffering and death for ordinary Iraqis;
	mean numerous U.S. soldiers returning home in body bags;
	further ruin an already collapsing Iraqi civilian infrastructure;
	spread and further destabilize the Middle East;
	display blatant disregard for international law; and
	aggravate anti-American sentiment.
A more hopeful path toward a secure future includes commitments to:
	cease making threats and to begin building trust;
	face-to-face dialogue rather than name-calling through the media;
	acknowledging positive and addressing negative behaviors, rather than labeling a whole nation as evil;
	medical, educational, athletic and artisan exchanges with Iraq;
	respect the sovereignty of Iraq, while addressing weapons issues on a regional level;
	working cooperatively with the United Nations rather than acting alone; and
	ending sanctions.

When: A major advocacy campaign beginning the week of August 6,2002 (the 12th anniversary of the sanctions) and continuing throughout the fall.

How: Contact your government representatives and express your concerns.