[MAPC-policy] revised "weaker" resolution

[MAPC-policy] revised "weaker" resolution

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2001-11-04

Title: Humanitarian Priorities in Afghanistan

A RESOLUTION regarding the urgent need to provide emergency humanitarian
assistance and development assistance to civilians in Afghanistan, including
Afghan refugees in surrounding countries.


WHEREAS, a disastrous humanitarian crisis is underway, with an estimated 7.5
million people in Afghanistan facing critical food shortage or outright
starvation this winter; and

WHEREAS, 70 percent of these people are women and children, and the UN
estimates 400,000 children under five will likely die this year, an increase
of 100,000 over last year; and

WHEREAS, food aid shipments have been disrupted because of U.S bombing in
Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, the aid agencies active in the region, including the Nobel laureate
Doctors Without Borders (MSF), Oxfam International and the World Food
Program have stated that the U.S. food
drops can not meet the increasing and urgent need for assistance; and

WHEREAS, Madison now participates directly and indirectly in U.S. military
efforts through many channels, including the federal taxes its citizens pay,
and through its citizens' participation in the armed forces; and

WHEREAS, the Mayor and Common Council are appalled at the mass starvation
that will result from these actions to which they are a party if the
situation is not speedily addressed; and

WHEREAS, The Mayor and Common Council deplore the dishonor such an outcome
would be for the victims of the terrorist attacks of September 11th;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Mayor and Common Council support a
resolution to the situation that minimizes loss of life; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT humanitarian concerns must now be a top priority
for U.S. policy toward Afghanistan, especially as there exists a narrow
window of opportunity for supplying food to the region's population before
winter makes this difficult or impossible.  The Madison Common Council calls
on the federal government to defer to the judgement of international aid
agencies that a cessation in bombing is necessary to avoid humanitarian
disaster; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Madison Common Council calls on
Afghanistan's neighbors to immediately reopen their borders to allow for the
safe passage of refugees, and the U.S. and other members of the
international community must be prepared to contribute to the economic costs
incurred by the flight of desperate Afghan civilians; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Madison Common Council calls on the federal
government to actively support the work of various agencies to deliver
assistance in Afghanistan, particularly through overland truck convoys, and
support safe humanitarian access to affected populations, in partnership
with humanitarian agencies in quantities sufficient to alleviate a large
scale humanitarian catastrophe; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Madison Common Council calls on the federal
government to contribute to efforts by the international community to
provide long-term, sustainable reconstruction and development assistance for
the people of Afghanistan, including efforts to protect the basic human
rights of women and children; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Madison Common Council calls on the
international community to support democratic processes in Afghanistan
leading to a government which represents all its people, including women.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the Madison Common Council on behalf of the
people of Madison, in solidarity with the international community and in
their capacity as citizens of the United States, urges the federal
government to put humanitarian concerns first and will consider the
Government of the United States responsible for both the direct consequences
of its military actions in Afghanistan and for the results of its
indifference to the priority of humanitarian concerns in Afghanistan and the
surrounding region.


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Sunday, November 04, 2001 10:41 PM

[MAPC-policy] revised "weaker" resolution