Text of Iraq Resolution on the Agenda of the Tacoma City Council

BY REQUEST OF COUNCIL MEMBER EVANS, MAYOR BAARSMA, DEPUTY MAYOR MOSS, AND COUNCIL MEMBERS LADENBURG, MCGAVICK, AND MILLER

A RESOLUTION OPPOSING A PRE-EMPTIVE U.S. MILITARY ATTACK ON IRAQ AND PROPOSING THAT THE U.S. GOVERNMENT GIVE U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTORS IN IRAQ SUFFICIENT TIME TO COMPLETE THEIR TASK

WHEREAS city councils of a large number of cities in the United States, including Chicago and Baltimore, have adopted resolutions opposing a pre-emptive military attack against Iraq, and

WHEREAS traditional diplomatic efforts to resolve issues between Iraq and the world community have not been exhausted, and

WHEREAS, while Saddam Hussein is a dictator who should be removed from power for the good of the Iraqi people, for the security of Iraq's neighboring countries and the entire world, it is not clear that a unilateral U.S. military action would result in the installation of a free and democratic Iraqi government, and

WHEREAS U.S. military action would risk the deaths of thousands of Iraqi civilians without guaranteeing the safety and security of U.S. military personnel and other U.S. citizens, and

WHEREAS a pre-emptive and unilateral U.S. military attack would violate international law and our commitments under the U.N. Charter and further isolate our country from the rest of the world community, creating millions of bitter enemies and a climate conducive to terrorism, and

WHEREAS U.N. weapons inspectors are performing a heroic task for which they need more time and whose task would be halted if bombing were to commence, and

WHEREAS the Congressional Budget Office estimates a military action against Iraq will cost the taxpayers of our nation between $9 and $13 billion a month to maintain, likely resulting in further cuts in federally funded projects and programs that benefit the residents of the City, and

WHEREAS a pre-emptive military attack against Iraq does not have the support of the vast majority of our allies throughout the world, and

WHEREAS we support our young men and women serving in the U.S. military who are being deployed to the Middle East, even if we oppose the policy that is sending them there; Now, Therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF TACOMA:

That we oppose a pre-emptive U.S. military attack on Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we support the U.N. weapons inspectors in Iraq, enhanced by sufficient safeguards to guarantee unfettered access to all targeted sites.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we urge our government to work through the U.N. Security Council, and we reaffirm our nation's commitment to the rule of law in all international relationships.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution shall be forwarded to the Washington State Congressional Delegation, the President of the United States of America, the Governor of Washington State, and the members of the Washington State Legislature.

Adopted

Mayor

Attest:

City Clerk

Approved as to form and legality: