Sponsored by: Bart Bolger Approved: 07/16/2005
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON
A RESOLUTION OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON TO BRING HOME THE TROOPS
WHEREAS, the Bush Administration, using false intelligence estimates, misled the country into an unnecessary and unwise invasion and occupation of Iraq, a country that had neither attacked nor posed an immediate threat to the United States, and
WHEREAS, our occupation of Iraq has spawned an insurgency whose principal goal is to expel outside influences, has deepened the divide between factions competing for control of Iraq, and has created a training ground for international terrorists, and
WHEREAS, elections have been held in Iraq, and the Iraqi people deserve an opportunity to resolve their own problems and establish their own government free of outside coercion, and
WHEREAS, the actions of the United States in Iraq is perceived by many to indicate the U.S. wishes to establish a permanent presence in Iraq, including the establishment of a number of military bases, and
WHEREAS, our active duty military, Reserves and National Guard are being drained of their capability to respond to other emergencies both at home and abroad, and
WHEREAS, over 1700 U.S. military personnel have lost their lives in Iraq, thousands of U.S. soldiers have been wounded, untold thousands of Iraqi citizens have been killed or injured, and vast amounts of Iraqi personal property and national infrastructure have been destroyed, and
WHEREAS, the U.S. House Committee on International Relations is considering and the 61-member House “Out of Iraq” Caucus supports various legislation requiring the President to develop and implement a plan for the withdrawal of the U.S. Armed Forces from Iraq, and
WHEREAS, the Democratic Party of Oregon’s 2004 Legislative Agenda (rev. 4/24/05) states, “We support getting the U.N. in and the U.S. out of Iraq….”:
NOW, THEREFORE, THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF OREGON RESOLVES AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. We support our troops, oppose the continued military occupation of Iraq, and urge the United States Government to plan immediately for the near-term withdrawal of its military forces from Iraq, consistent with the mandate of international humanitarian law.
Section 2. Withdrawal should begin immediately to signal our good intentions and should give priority to returning National Guard troops to fulfill their home state obligations.
Section 3. The President should announce that the United States Government has no plans for a long-term presence in Iraq, except for that associated with normal diplomatic, economic, and peaceful military relations between countries.
Section 4. Oregon’s Senators, Congressmen and Congresswomen should support HCR 35 and this resolution.
ADOPTED by the Democratic Party of Oregon on the 16th day of July, 2005.
Resolution submitted by Bart Bolger, Benton County Democrats.
Platform and Resolutions committee recommends adoption.
