[Seattle-editorial] A realistic Last Chance alternative to avoid war

[Otto Montag]

Please read this completely.  It is a proposal that could reduce the likelihood of one-sided war and also the likelihood of further damage between the US and most of the rest of the world.  It also could lead to increased US cooperation on many important issues to the world community.  Please read it as an individual before you consider it relative to your position in your organization.

President Bush says we must have a war to disarm Iraq.  France, Germany, Russia, China and much of the world say, "no war while progress is being made".

The UK presented a proposal intended to be a compromise.  France simply said no.  It is starting to look like the countries against war are more interested in blocking the US than blocking war.  They are beginning to appear obstructionist to any compromise.  The danger is that many people who prefer there not be a war are getting tired and prefer just getting it over with to continued uncertainty.

The way out is for pro-peace forces to put forth a compromise proposal of their own that could avoid war and put an end to the question of whether Iraq has weapons of mass destruction or not thereby ensuring support from the masses of moderates who are only concerned that Iraq not have weapons of mass destruction.

The very fact that the two sides are so hardened in their positions makes this proposal viable.  President Hussein says Iraq is already complying and that Iraq has nothing to hide.  President Bush says President Hussein is lying and cannot be trusted.  To many, it appears that President Bush is trying to create an excuse to attack Iraq by insisting that the only conditions acceptable for avoiding war are those that would be impossible to satisfy.  If a condition were brought about where NO ONE could claim Iraq is not complying, President Bush would not need or be able to use that as an excuse to attack.

The proposal is very simple.

Iraq would have 48 hours to agree to give the UN full access to anything that would verify whether any weapons of mass destruction remain and also give the UN authority to destroy any such weapons that might have been overseen.  As part of Iraq's "nothing to hide" position, the UN may increase its inspection teams to ANY level the UN decides.  In addition, Iraq will invite the UN to station as many UN "peacekeeping" troops in Iraq (tens or even hundreds of thousands) until the UN is satisfied that Iraq has neither weapons of mass destruction nor programs to create such weapons.  These troops, could come from any country that has not threatened immediate war on Iraq.  In addition to ensuring a totally free hand for the inspection teams, these troops would protect Iraq from external aggression.  Since the UN troops would ensure Iraq's protection from external attack, Iraq would limit the mission of its own military to internal duties.  This would enable Iraq to reassign many o!
f their troops to other missions such as improving the country's infrastructure.  This alone would be a benefit to Iraq worth hundreds of millions of dollars.  In addition, in light of such cooperation, all sanctions against Iraq would be lifted immediately and part of the additional revenues resulting from the lifting of sanctions would be used to offset the costs of increased inspections and the stationing of UN troops in Iraq.  This proposal 1) ensures that Iraq has neither weapons of mass destruction nor programs to build such weapons 2) ensures that, during the time Iraq's compliance is being ensured, there is no danger to any other country from Iraq 3) that there is no external military danger to Iraq during the time of verification 4) provides Iraq with a period of peace and additional revenues that will enable significant improvement of conditions for the Iraqi people 5) would save the world economy tens and possibly hundreds of billions of dollars in the cost of war!
 and its aftermath 6) would avoid increased tensions between Arabs and Muslims and the West that might result from a war 7) would avoid setting a precedent for countries unilaterally initiating war in a way that would destroy the UN as an effective vehicle for reducing war 8) would reduce the likelihood of hardening positions into pro- and anti- US blocks and a resulting new world-wide power struggle.

That is it.

The benefits of this proposal include:
1.  A statement of acceptance to such a proposal by Iraq would immediately stop the move toward war (or force the Bush administration to admit its goals are other than ensuring Iraq's disarmament)  
2.  It gives countries and leaders around the world a constructive proposal to rally around.  As long as the only answer to President Bush is "no" to any proposal he puts forward, he can feel justified in following his own proposal.  If there is another credible proposal with widespread support, he will be forced to respond to it.
3.  If this proposal were not accepted, it would significantly increase pressure on the party blocking acceptance.

If the Bush Administration blocked acceptance, it would probably lose significant support even in the US 
from those whose primary goal is ensuring Iraq is not a threat to the world with weapons of mass destruction.

If President Hussein blocked acceptance, the world would become more united in stopping him, thereby avoiding a permanent rift between major UN powers.

This solution also allows all sides to save face, which increases the likelihood of success.

Envision the results.  
-  UN troops from countries like France, Germany or Russia would probably be greeted in Iraq as saviors instead of invaders.  
-  No precedent for unilateral use of force by the strongest would have been established.
-  No permanent damage to international relations would have been established.
-  The role of the UN as a arbitrator of peace would be protected.
-  An undefined number of lives would be saved on all sides.
-  Billions of dollars could be channeled into construction instead of destruction.  (In addition, companies, organizations and individuals from around the world could be invited to help in the rebuilding of Iraq to overcome the results of 12 years of sanctions.)
-  President Hussein could possibly be encouraged to make Iraq a shinning example in the Middle East with construction, business enterprise, tourism, etc.  Hundreds of thousands of individuals would probably follow an invitation to help.  Strangely enough, the kind of change to the Middle East that President Bush would like to bring about by force, might be brought about by avoiding the use of force.

Almost any leader could bring this proposal to the UN.  Ideally, Iraq or the US would propose it.  A major country like France, Germany or Russia could propose it.  The UK or Spain could propose it.  The leader of any country could float it to the public (The Vatican, Canada, Mexico, Angola, etc.).  Kafi Annan could also propose it.  Finally, if it appears that no one will take the initiative, the pro-peace movement could put it on the table by simply making it a major topic of discussion via continued publicity.

How to make this happen.  We need to immediately make this proposal a "topic of world-wide discussion".  We need to get as many people as possible to help bring this proposal to the attention of the media so that there is no way President Hussein, President Bush and the leaders of other countries can avoid knowing it.  This gives them the opportunity to propose or back it.  It also increases the likelihood that they will be asked about it one way or another.  If no one adopts it as is, but this results in someone putting forward another proposal that leads to the ensurance that Iraq has no weapons of mass destruction nor programs to build such, then that is also a success.

Please help get the word out.  If you are a media outlet, please publicize this simple appeal from a common person.  If you are a "personality", use your voice to publicize and make this proposal a "topic of discussion".  If you are a political leader at any level, use your position to start a discussion of the proposal.  If you are simply a concerned individual like myself, ask as many people at all levels as you can to help get this proposal to the media and political leaders.  If you can, make the proposal the rallying point for public demonstrations.  Everyone, ask everyone (private individuals, religeous leaders, media, organization leaders, government offices and officials, etc.) what they think of the "Nothing-to-hide Proposal".  In addition, post to internet forums and send letters to the editors of every newspaper, talk show, radio and TV station, magazine, etc.  Challenge Iraq and the leaders of all countries to put forward the proposal.

Please help ensure the voices of the world are focused by using the same "name" in all communication.  "Nothing-to-hide Proposal".

Please do not assume others will act.  If YOU think it is a good idea, please take initiative on your own. 

Thanks for any help.

 - a friend of peace - 



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