BACKGROUND: The issue of the war in Iraq occurs in a greater context of the situation in South West Asia. States within the region such as Israel, Syria and Iran have actively sought to promote regional strategies that benefit their own strategic and national interests. Because of the US invasion and occupation of Iraq, the US government has severely limited its role in the development of a comprehensive peace policy and its actions have increased war and conflict in the region. The foreign policy of the US Government ought to be focused on facilitating peacemaking and ending its military actions against the nations and peoples of the region.
In presenting a proposed peace plan, I am not attempting to provide policies that the US government will unilaterally implement to provide "solutions" for the peoples and nations of the region. In fact, it is my intention to promote, energize and support actions by those forces within the region that will provide real solutions and demonstrate true leadership. The mediating role of Saudi Arabia in the internal Palestinian political dispute represents a model of conduct by a nation in the region providing a productive role in addressing conflict and reducing bloodshed.
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 in our states.
To do so we have to first admit that our government needs to play an active and positive role in this proposal. States are encouraged to define specific goals that address their own states' voter base and the opportunities to raise the concerns. In NM, a resolution is being proposed in the state egislature that proposes to initiate proceedings for impeachment of Bush and Cheney in the US Congress. This is one example of actions that can be developed to implement the plan below.
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 UN Peace Keeping Process
2. Withdraw from Occupied Territories Dismantling of the Wall Resolution of the Status of Jerusalem Diplomatic Recognition of Israel Re-establish Israel-Palestine Peace Process US Divestment from 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 Ending Military Aid to Turkey
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 Establishment of SW Asia Regional Consultation Council of Nations and Peoples
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 Kirkuk Integration with Kurdistan
11 Institutionalization of Peace in the US Department of Peace Demilitarization of the Economy
