RESOLUTION 03-04
OPPOSING WAR WITH IRAQ AT THIS TIME

WHEREAS, diplomatic efforts to achieve the elimination of weapons of mass destruction in Iraq have not been fully pursued or exhausted; and

WHEREAS, a war with Iraq will jeopardize the lives of American soldiers and kill Iraqi civilians who have already suffered enormously under United Nations (U.N.) sanctions, bombing of basic infrastructure by the United States and Great Britain, and Saddam Hussein's tyrannical rule; and

WHEREAS, unilateral military action by the United States in Iraq would be counterproductive to world peace and efforts to stabilize the unrest in the Middle East and is opposed by governments around the world; and

WHEREAS, a war with Iraq would cost the United States billions of dollars a month and take money away from other programs that address severe domestic problems such as the nation's economy, unemployment, education, escalating energy costs, housing, and the crisis in our nation's health care system; and

WHEREAS, war would compromise efforts to stabilize conditions in Afghanistan and North Korea, would threaten to further destabilize the Middle East region, and could require years of U.S. military occupation and nation building in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, the Bush administration has not articulated a clear objective and has not garnered support of important allies for war in Iraq; and

WHEREAS, we strongly support our armed forces in the performance of their duties, but do not wish them to be put needlessly or wrongfully in harm's way;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED BY THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF BLOOMINGTON, MONROE COUNTY, INDIANA, THAT:

1. We, the members of the City of Bloomington Common Council, oppose a pre-emptive attack against Iraq without convincing proof of a clear and imminent threat to the national security of the United States.

2. Be it further resolved that, we support the continuation of U.N.-sanctioned weapons inspections in Iraq.

3. Be it further resolved that, we urge the United States government to explore all diplomatic solutions and to work through the U.N. Security Council and to reaffirm our nation's commitmentto the rule of law in international relations.

4. Be it further resolved that, we direct the City Clerk to send a copy of this resolution, duly adopted, to our Congressional delegation and to the President of the United States.