Issues: Iraq

6 September 2002

The following letter was approved by the Pullman-Moscow Friends Meeting on September 1, 2002:

We of the Pullman-Moscow Monthly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) oppose our government's projected war against Iraq. We believe that, with the aid of the community of nations, there exists ample opportunity for diplomatic solutions to the present set of discords with Iraq. We feel the following points are worthy of public discussion and consideration:

• Continued efforts by the United States' government to unilaterally affect, by military force, the means and methods of a sovereign nation's distribution of its own natural resources may transform our country from "the world's sole superpower" to a hegemonic world master. Any transformation in that direction would damage our country's democratic institutions as well as those of countries worldwide. Assuming such a role, our nation would likely be drawn into a series of ugly entanglements over the globe.
• The issue of the elimination of the so-called Iraqi "weapons of mass destruction" from the military arsenals of that country should be part of a regional comprehensive arms limitation agreement if it is to be just--and thus lastingly effective. Syria, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Israel, among others, could be signatories to such an agreement. We note Israel's arsenal of nuclear weaponry is also a continual source of regional fear and insecurity.
• Our government's vilification of Saddam Hussein has obscured the political and social complexities within the Iraqi nation as well as minimized the benefits the modern Iraqi government has given to its people, such as granting greater economic opportunity to women, universal health care and a well-rounded education for all of its youth.
• By contrast, the Wahabi sect of Saudi Arabia, of which Al Qaida is a purist faction, holds worldviews diametrically opposed to those of the Ba'th Party, which in Iraq is headed by Saddam Hussein. These two groups are competitors for the hearts and minds of Arab people everywhere: The Ba'th seek to create a modern secular state governing a pluralistic society tolerant of divergent religious beliefs. The Wahabi shun modern ideals of the nation state and aspire to a society where social and sexual roles are rigidly defined by a particular religious ideology enforced by a specialized religious police. Thus, military cooperation between Iraq and Al Qaida is highly unlikely.

We encourage our nation's citizens and residents to inform themselves as fully as they can of this complex situation and the momentous repercussions it may foster. We urge everyone to voice their concerns to their congressional representatives and President.

We believe war is not the path to peace but rather the avenue to conflict and sorrow. As members of the Religious Society of Friends we witness to that spirit of love and understanding which takes away the occasion for all war.

Signed,

Maragret Coahran
Clerk, Pullman-Moscow Friends Meeting

Also signed,*

OTHER QUAKER STATEMENTS & LETTERS

Reviewed: 09/06/2005

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