[MAPC-discuss] draft city resolution

[MAPC-discuss] draft city resolution

born-digital

email

yes

no

2001-10-29

Dear Friends,
     Here's something that will come up tomorrow night.
     The Policy Committee would like to bring a resolution to the city
council.  We decided to focus on the humanitarian situation, but added a bit
obliquely opposing the bombing at the end--that part we doubt will pass.  We
based much of this on Wellstone's S.172 resolution introduced on  10/18.
     We expect to negotiate the language with alders we approach, in order
to craft something they are willing to bring to the council and/or vote for.
  If we get something to pass, it could send a strong message about how much
common ground there is among Americans...
     Please review the draft below and provide feedback--on content
especially.  What MUST be in this resolution?  What CANNOT be in this
resolution?
     Thank you.

X


===================================================================
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, 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 over 30 percent from 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 urge 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; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Afghanistan's neighbors should 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 United States must 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 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;
and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the United States should support democratic
processes in Afghanistan leading to a government which represents all its
people, including women; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the people of Madison, in solidarity with the
international community and in their capacity as citizens of the United
States, 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.

Monday, October 29, 2001 8:03 PM

[MAPC-discuss] draft city resolution