CWA Statement on War with Iraq

The September 11 attacks by al Qaeda brought together citizens in the United States and throughout the world. The horror and heartlessness of those events dispelled differences and united us in a demand for justice and in a promise to ourselves and to next generations: we would support all efforts to track down those guilty of killing thousands of innocents on that infamous day; we would support efforts to forge a new multilateral commitment to oppose terrorism worldwide; and we would, through these efforts, restore the sense of peace and security to our land and to the world that was lost during the attacks.

But the laser focus on bringing al Qaeda to justice has shifted even though that terrorist organization has not been tracked down. Instead, the Bush Administration has cast the spotlight on Iraq and Saddam Hussein. While Saddam Hussein is a brutal dictator, he is not an imminent threat to our country. There is no credible evidence linking Saddam Hussein to al Qaeda, nor with any imminent attack on the United States.

CWA joins the AFL-CIO, other patriotic organizations, veterans of past wars, and concerned citizens in expressing our belief that we must defend our nation's security against any threat or incursion. Our view is supported by international law which allows a preemptive strike when there is clear evidence that an attack is imminent. But nothing in our history, nor in international law, sanctions a unilateral, preemptive war such as a U.S. invasion of Iraq would entail. Thus, we urge caution, patience and deliberation before engaging in war with Iraq. We urge unified, multilateral action through the United Nations.

History has taught us that we should not act unilaterally in military matters. The current situation shows that we need not. Following the passage of a United Nations Security Council resolution, Iraq agreed to permit the resumption of weapons inspections. This was a major policy triumph for the United Nations and the rule of law. On January 27, 2003, the United Nations weapons inspectors will submit their first report, marking, as the weapons inspectors themselves point out, the beginning, not the end of the weapons inspection process. Our allies are urging caution, as this process requires time and patience. We should stand with our traditional allies and support the United Nations process.

We join with AFL-CIO President Sweeney and others in the labor movement who believe that our nation's long-term interests require that we assemble a broad international coalition for an aggressive and effective policy of disarmament in Iraq and work through the United Nations to the greatest extent possible to accomplish it.

At home, we have pressing domestic priorities as well. In the previous Gulf War, our allies shouldered their fair share of the burdens of war both in assigning fighting forces and funds. If we embark on a unilateral invasion, the full burden of a war with Iraq and the nation rebuilding that would follow would fall on the United States with an estimated cost extending to hundreds of billions of dollars.

War should always be the last resort. The sons and daughters of America's workers will be the ones called upon to make sacrifices. Already, many National Guard members have had their tours extended. Planned military discharges have been canceled, disrupting families' lives. While we have answered the call to duty, there is inadequate evidence to support an invasion of Iraq at this time.

We urge Iraq to give complete access and cooperation to the United Nations inspection teams and immediately disclose any weapons of mass destruction that may exist on its territory.

Further, we urge the Administration and the Congress to support an invasion of Iraq only if it is sanctioned by the United Nations and enjoys the broad multinational support as existed in Desert Storm.