wfn.org | AFSC: 'Staying the course' In Iraq Makes U.S. Less Safe

["Jenny Shields" <JShields@afsc.org>]

PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS OFFERS "NO SOLUTIONS" TO ONGOING CRISIS IN IRAQ
'Staying the course'  Means More People Die and Animosity Grows

Philadelphia - November 30 - The President's address to the Naval
Academy this morning offers no new solutions to the Iraq crisis. Each
day the U.S. "stays the course" in Iraq, more people die and animosity
against our country grows.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC), an international social
justice organization and a co-recipient of the Nobel Peace, was one of
the first organizations calling for the immediate withdrawal of troops
from Iraq.

In its statement, the AFSC Board of Directors wrote, "We believe it is
now clear that the continuing U.S. military presence in Iraq is
counterproductive and wrong."

"The U.S. invasion of Iraq has escalated both danger and chaos in a
country already devastated by years of international economic sanctions
and a dictatorship that squandered valuable resources on military
adventures," explains Peter Lems, national coordinator of the American
Friends Service Committee Iraq program. "The occupation has lost the
trust of the Iraqi people. Each day Iraq becomes less safe for the
occupied, the occupiers, and those who seek to relieve the suffering."

We call on the U.S. to leave Iraq, but we should not abandon the Iraqi
people.  Instead we must seek international solutions to the crisis.
The Service Committee supports legislation currently before Congress
that would prohibit use of taxpayer funds to deploy United States Armed
Forces to Iraq.  The initiative allows funds to be used for the safe
withdrawal of troops, as well as for support for transitional security
provided by other countries - including international organizations like
NATO and the United Nations.

The American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) was the co-recipient of
the 1947 Nobel Peace Prize, which honored Quakers' historic work to
relieve the suffering of war. The Quaker organization is comprised of
people from many faiths and backgrounds who are committed to social
justice, peace and humanitarian service. Since 1917, AFSC has aided
millions of people around the world through its peace, economic
development, and human rights programs. AFSC was a leader in the
movements to end the Vietnam War and to dismantle apartheid in South
Africa and remains a leader in international movements for peace and
justice.

For more information, contact:	Janis D. Shields, Director Media and
Public Relations, (215) 241-7060 After Hours: (302) 545-6596

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The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that
includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice,
peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the
worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome
violence and injustice.