There is no credible peace plan that involves sending 20,000 more troops to Iraq. There is no addressing sectarian warfare by increasing the visibility of US troops in Iraq. This is a regional struggle and the source of it lies in the actions of British colonialism's partitioning of the region after World War 1. There is a role to be played. But there is nothing to be gained by attempting a US Imperial mandate to the national political questions confronting the people and nations in the region.
As Americans whose government is currently engaged in a ruthless and reckless exercise in Iraq, it is time for us to begin the process of formulating a package of policies that lead in the direction of peace. This is something that a 2008 Presidential candidate can raise and present to increase public awareness. This is something that we can begin to advocate for in state legislatures and with Congressional delegations. This is something that demonstrates the underlying changes needed to address the issues raised by the conduct of the Bush administration in Iraq.
To do so we have to first admit that our government needs to play an active and positive role in this proposal. Troop withdrawals may indeed be a precondition of the proposal but I for one do not see advocating disengagement from the broader issues that must be addressed as anything other than cowering in fear rather then lead with vision and concrete policies. So, as a first step I am going to present a package of the issues that we should examine, so that we can focus on the development of a foreign policy reflective of our voters and supporters' ideals.
Here's a grocery list to start off. Additions are asked for, but particular tactics or strategies should probably evolve more as we proceed to target implementation issues. Apparently, this water is too heavy for Democrats to haul, so it's time for others to do it ourselves and find Greener pastures.
1. Demilitarization of the region Withdrawal of US and other Troops Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Dismantling of Existing Stockpile Restrictions on Israeli Interventions Establishment of Peace Keeping Process
2. Withdraw from Occupied Territories Dismantling of the Wall Resolution of the Status of Jerusalem Recognition of Israel
3. Recognition of National Liberation Projects Support for Kurdistan Towards Recognition Support for Palestinian Authority to expand to governmental status Recommence Israeli-Palestinian Direct Negotiations Withdrawing PMOI (People's Mujahadeen) and PKK (Kurdish Workers' Party) From the List of Terrorist Organizations
4. Accountability for Human Rights and War Crimes Iraq War crimes ICC Jurisdiction Constitutional Protections by Nations Investigations into Lebanese Assassinations Prosecutions for Sectarian Related Violence
5. Restitution and Reparations Determination of Amount by US and Britain Defining Structures for Disbursements Prioritization of Projects
6. Accountability of US Government Constitutional Mechanisms ICC Jurisdiction Empowerment of States Ending US Military Aid Impeachment Proceedings
7. Regional Oversight Establishment and Empowerment of Entities Coordination with Arab League Observers for Iraqi Sectarian Violence
8 US Transition to Non-Carbon Fuel Energies Establishment of a Long-Term Plan Approval of Kyoto Accord
9 Resolution of Iraqi Political Turmoil Recognition of Equal Political Rights Disarmament of Political Organizations
10 Regional Economic Development Energy Production Assistance to Iran Oil Royalties Disbursements in Iraq
11 Institutionalization of Peace in the US Department of Peace Demilitarization of the Economy
12. Establishment of Equal Rights for Women nd Abolishment of Codified Inequalities in Iraq Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by US and Iraq Secularization of legal codes Representation of women in political entities
