Sample Student Resolution Text:

Whereas, no proven link has been made between the attacks on September 11, 2001 and the government of Iraq; and

Whereas, evidence or intelligence information making the case for war has not been released to the public, nor has for any connection between the Al Qaeda terrorist group and the government of Iraq; and

Whereas, diplomatic solutions have not been exhausted and the international community has not lent its support for war against Iraq; and

Whereas, Article 51 of the United Nations Charter states, "Preemptive defense is not a justification for war under international law unless there is conclusive evidence that an attack by that country is so eminent that it cannot be avoided in any other way;" and

Whereas, many experts including former United Nations Chief Weapons Inspector Scott Ritter have disputed the President's contention that Iraq poses a threat to the United States; and

Whereas, the former CIA head of counter-intelligence Vincent Cannistraro has stated publicly that the White House deliberately exaggerated the Iraqi threat; and

Whereas, the civilian infrastructure of Iraq has been destroyed as a result of twelve years of sanctions and bombing. The UNICEF reports that the infant mortality rate from 1991-1999 tripled, resulting in almost 500,000 deaths for Iraqi children. The use of military force against Iraq would aggravate these problems and unquestionably result in the tragic deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians and military personnel, as well as untold numbers of United States combatants; and

Whereas, the United States government estimates a war could cost up to $200 billion, increasing a defense budget that is already almost seven times that of the education budget; and

Whereas, starting a war with Iraq could spur a backlash against the Arab-American and Muslim community of the University, as was experienced following September 11th and the Gulf War; and

Whereas, war with Iraq could also spur more terrorist attacks in a backlash like the tragic events of September 11, thus making students and Americans overall less secure; and

Whereas it is today's generation of students and young people who will give their lives in the battlefields of Iraq as well as have to deal with the long term consequences of war, including a prolonged commitment to ensuring a stable post-Hussein government and rebuilding the decimated Iraqi infrastructure; and

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED

The __________ Student Assembly urges President Bush not to preemptively or unilaterally start a war with Iraq and encourages the Bush administration to pursue a peaceful diplomatic resolution built upon
international support.