Spring 2003

March 25, 2003
American Federation of Teachers, Local 212

Resolution in Opposition to the Use of United States Military Force Against Iraq without Clear Authorization from the U.N. Security Council.

Whereas the United Nations Security Council has unanimously passed Resolution 1441 authorizing a return of U.N. weapons inspectors to Iraq, and

Whereas this Resolution also specifies a process for review of the outcome of the inspections by the Security Council, and

Whereas an October 8, 2002 letter to Senator Kohl from the Individual Rights and Responsibilities Section of the Wisconsin Bar Association states:

•  The UN charter allows for unilateral force to be taken or threatened by a member state against another sovereign nation only in self defense from an armed attack. In all other cases of a perceived danger or grievance, the charter indicates that the matter should be brought to the U.N. Security Council, which may authorize collective action up to and including the use of force.
  
  
•  In the absence of an armed attack on the United States by Iraq, compliance with the law requires that any congressional authorization for the use of force be subject to clear authorization by the UN Security Council. Any unilateral action without such authorization would violate the law and the constitution, which you have sworn to uphold as a condition of your taking office.

Hereby be it resolved that AFT Local 212 is opposed to the use of any United States military force against Iraq that is not clearly authorized by the U.N. Security Council and furthermore

Hereby be it resolved that copies of this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Wisconsin Congressional delegation, members of the U.N. Security Council and the media.

Spring 2003