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UB Faculty and Staff for Peace oppose U.S.-led war on Iraq
To the Editor:
We, the undersigned faculty and staff of the University at Buffalo, strongly oppose another United States-led war on Iraq for the following reasons:
Another war on Iraq, especially one begun with a barrage of missiles designed to avoid American casualties, will cause the death of numerous innocent Iraqi men, women and children and will destroy what remains of the social fabric and physical infrastructure of that country. The sustained military operations required to occupy Iraq, especially those requiring urban combat, will result in extensive casualties among the men and women of the U.S. armed forces.
No convincing evidence has yet been provided that Iraq possesses weapons of mass destruction or the capacity or intention to use them against its neighbors or the United States. If and when such evidence is forthcoming, the U.S. should cooperate with the United Nations to dismantle such weapons in a responsible manner, not through extensive bombing campaigns that will poison the land, water and air of the region.
Any preemptive U.S. military action against Iraq, including enforcement of no-fly zones, without a Congressional declaration of war and U.N. Security Council authorization, is unconstitutional and contrary to international law. It undermines the legitimacy of even worthy American goals in international affairs and sets back the cause of the rule of law in the world.
Another war on Iraq, especially one lacking the full support of NATO and other allies, will quickly divide and polarize the American people. It will be ruinously expensive in a time of growing government deficits and a weak economy, and set back efforts to deal with domestic social needs.
The fundamental problems leading to endemic tension and continuing violence in the Middle East can and should be resolved through negotiations among the parties concerned or through unilateral actions that address the root causes of conflict. For example, Israel should agree to terminate settlements in the occupied territories in return for an end to terrorist attacks and recognition of Israel's right to exist in peace. The U.S. should withdraw its forces from Saudi Arabia and the Persian Gulf, removing one major reason for escalating assaults on U.S. personnel in the region and on the U.S. people at home.
U.S. dependence on imported oil has distorted our foreign policy and put our economy at risk, while increased exploitation of domestic oil threatens the environment. The U.S. should radically reduce its oil consumption through concerted programs of energy conservation, the development of renewable sources of energy and the expansion of public transportation.
The United States stands at a major turning point—facing imperial overreach and increased isolation among the nations of the world on the one hand, and democratic procedures that can once again make the republic a model for a more just and peaceful world, on the other. Another war in Iraq will mean choosing empire over democracy.
Signatures added to this letter before March 13 will be included in copies that will be sent to elected officials. To see the list of signatures, and to sign the letter, go to http://www.BuffaloPeacePeople.org/ubfacstaff/letsnpets.
UB Faculty and Staff for Peace:
Mark A. Ashwill, World Languages Institute
Joan Baizer, Physiology and Biophysics
Helju Bennett, History
Charles Bernstein, English
Mary A. Bisson, Biological Sciences
James Bono, History
Lauren Breen, Law School
Hank Bromley, Educational Leadership and Policy
Thomas Burkman, Asian Studies
Susan Cahn, History
Erin E. Cala, UB Green Office/University Facilities
Jorge Canizares-Esguerra, History
Ann Casady, Art
Nina Cascio, Law Library
Kara Chapman, Academic Affairs
Douglas Clements, Learning and Instruction
Janice Cochran, Health Services/Wellness Education Services
B. Beth Cohen, Psychology
Kevin V. Connors, Architecture
Catherine Cornbleth, Learning and Instruction
Mecca S. Cranley, School of Nursing
Robert Creeley, English
Ollie Daniels, History
Andreus Daum, History
Patricia Dennis, Computing & Information Technology
Roger Des Forges, History
Jean Dickson, University Libraries
George Dillmann, Academic Affairs
Stephen C. Dunnett, International Education
Terry Dychowski, Law Library
John Edens, Libraries
Arthur Efron, English
William Evitts, History
Thomas Frantz, Counseling, School and Educational Psychology
Rebecca French, Law School
Michael Frisch, History
James A. Gardner, Law School
David Gerber, History
Joseph L. Gerken, Law Library
Shubha Ghosh, Law School
Nathan Grant, English
Patricia Gratz, Asian Studies
Jill Hackenberg, University Libraries
Alexander Halavais, Communication
Nan L. Haynes, Law School
Cindy Hepfer, Health Sciences Library
James Holstun, English
Bradshaw Hovey, School of Architecture and Planning
Georg G. Iggers, History
Bruce Jackson, English
Lauri Johnson, Educational Leadership and Policy
Glendora Johnson-Cooper, University Libraries
Clare Kehane, English
Pat Keleher, Newman Center
Melanie Kimball, Library and Information Sciences
Carolyn W. Korsmeyer, Philosophy
Michelle La Voie, University Libraries
Jack Larkin, History
Ann Marie Lauricella, Teacher Education Institute
Ute Lehrer, Urban and Regional Planning
Domenic J. Licata, Art
June Licence, American Studies, retired
Xiufeng Liu, Learning and Instruction
Mark Ludwig, University Libraries
And 47 others