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Salisbury Resolution Against Preemptive War
Voters in the Town of Salisbury will have the opportunity to vote on the following resolution at a special town meeting to be held on Friday, January 17 at 7 p.m. in Town Hall. The Salisbury Board of Selectmen scheduled the town meeting after a petition signed by 100 residents was presented to them on January 7.
A resolution of the Town of Salisbury opposing preemptive military action against Iraq by the United States:
• Whereas, a preemptive strike by the U.S. violates our commitments under the UN Charter, goes against established international law, sets a dangerous precedent for the world community, and further isolates the U.S. from the rest of the world; and,
• Whereas, international diplomatic efforts should be the preferred means to resolve international conflicts; and,
• Whereas, a United States war against Iraq threatens to destabilize the entire Middle East region, possibly resulting in a regional war; and,
• Whereas, most Connecticut cities and the state of Connecticut are suffering fiscal crises where programs are threatened by severe budget cuts. And it has been estimated that a war in Iraq would likely cost the U.S. government $100-$200 billion, an amount that could go a long way to meeting our municipal and education needs; and,
• Whereas, the Town of Salisbury has the deepest respect for those who are willing to risk their lives to protect the United States, but believes further military action against Iraq will risk the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians without guaranteeing the safety of U.S. military; and,
• Whereas, the citizens of Salisbury and its local elected officials have the constitutional right to petition the national government on this matter of grave concern to our community as part of the national and international debate now underway.
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town of Salisbury:
• Hereby reaffirms the articles of the United Nations Charter and the principals of international law on the peaceful resolution of disputes; and
• Hereby expresses our opposition to preemptive military action against Iraq; and,
• Hereby urges the Bush Administration and our representatives in Congress to use enlightened leadership to work with and through the United Nations to obtain compliance by Iraq with United Nations Security Council resolutions; and,
Be it finally resolved that the Town of Salisbury directs the Clerk to forward copies of this resolution to our congressional delegation and to the President of the United States.
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