In Support of Resolving the War in Iraq

WHEREAS, the brave men and women deployed in Iraq are not being properly equipped by the Bush Administration, denying them the highest-possible level of safety in a chaotic war; and

WHEREAS, despite their desire to take control over their own destiny through democracy, the Iraqi people face numerous dangers from those in opposition to their efforts, and suffer from the mishandling of the political process by their elected officials; and

WHEREAS, the war and military occupation of Iraq has cost the lives of a large number of U.S. troops, the wounding and disabling of thousands more, and death and injury to thousands of Iraqi civilians; and

WHEREAS, the Bush Administration carried out the invasion of Iraq under the pretense that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction and the capability to deploy them and, therefore, posed an immediate threat to the security of the United States and the rest of the world; and

WHEREAS, after an extensive post-occupation search there is no evidence that Iraq possessed weapons of mass destruction or the capability to deploy them; and

WHEREAS, support from the international community is critical to the establishment of a successful Iraqi state; and

WHEREAS, efforts to rebuild Iraq are being hindered by a massive foreign debt accumulated under the Hussein regime; and

WHEREAS, our returning troops should receive all the resources and services available to help them reestablish their lives in the United States; and

WHEREAS, the growing Labor Movement in Iraq is being stifled by oppressive tactics; therefore be it

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO calls for an end to the U.S. occupation of Iraq; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the U.S. Government begin immediately a phased withdrawal of U.S. troops, taking into account the safety of those troops and the safety of the Iraqi people, so the U.S. soldiers and reservists can return to their homes and families; and the Iraqi people can determine how to govern their country without an occupying force; and be it further

RESOLVED, that until redeployment can begin, the Massachusetts AFL-CIO stands in support of our men and women in Iraq, and expects that they be properly outfitted and receive all available support not just in Iraq, but once returning home as well. This includes expanded benefits programs for veterans and those affected by military base closings, and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO supports the use of strict benchmarks for reconstruction. We call upon the international community to take part in reconstruction efforts by deploying their own security force, as well as assisting in the training of Iraqi security and police forces. Reconstruction requires that Iraq's international debt must be cancelled so that all of the country's resources can go toward the establishment of a stable state; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Iraqi Labor Movement must be allowed to grow. The Massachusetts AFL-CIO calls upon the Iraqi Government to meet the standards of the International Labor Organization and repeal all anti-worker laws; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Massachusetts AFL-CIO encourage our affiliates through communication networks to mobilize our members to participate in labor based or labor supported actions to end the war; and be it finally

RESOLVED, that the President of the Massachusetts AFL-CIO will transmit a copy of this resolution and other information to all relevant parties to demonstrate its ardent support for resolving the war in Iraq.

Submitted by:
Robert J. Haynes, President
Louis A. Mandarini, Jr., Secretary-Treasurer