[MAPC-policy] proposed city resolution

[MAPC-policy] proposed city resolution

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-10-24

Hi Everyone,
   Last night we decided that I would draft a resolution, and all of us on
the policy committee would contribute comments on that draft.  Then we could
work all those comments in.  After that, we would bring it around to all the
alders for their feedback.
   To develop the resolution, I looked at Madison's 9/25 resolution
condemning the 9/11 attack and expressing sympathy for the victims
(http://www.ci.madison.wi.us/council/ccattach/att092501/attack30314.pdf). I
followed that format.
   For content, I relied on Wellstone's S.172 resolution, which he
introduced on 10/18 (last Thursday) and which is in a Senate committee right
now.  I tried to simplify quite a bit and make it relevant to Madison.
   Here is what I came up with:

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


SPONSORS: [Alders names here.]


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, food aid shipments have been disrupted due to security concerns
around U.S. military actions in Afghanistan; and

WHEREAS, Madison supports 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 deplore their participation in actions
that cause mass starvation;

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

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT humanitarian concerns must be a top U.S.
priority for action in 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Afghanistan's neighbors should reopen their
borders to allow for the safe passage of refugees, and 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 as the United States engages in military action
in Afghanistan, it must work to deliver assistance, particularly through
overland truck convoys, and 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 United States should 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.

====================================================================

    I don't know how much it's appropriate for Madison to be resolving
things for the United States to do.  Maybe one of you has a suggestion on
that.

   I'll send Wellstone's resolution as a second e-mail, in case you'd like
to see the inspiration for mine.

   Look forward to getting your comments!

--X

Wednesday, October 24, 2001 9:38 PM

[MAPC-policy] proposed city resolution