CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL 02 0944
(Resolution)

Introduced by: Councilmembers Abayomi, Holton, Young, Cain, Garey, Branch, Carter, Pugh, Rawlings, Blake, Stukes

Judiciary and Legislative Investigations Committee Report: Favorable with amendments
Adopted: December 9, 2002

A COUNCIL RESOLUTION CONCERNING

In Opposition to a Declaration of War Against Iraq

FOR the purpose of reaffirming the articles of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law on the peaceful resolution of disputes, opposing the United States' continued and threatened violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law by the unilateral, preemptive military action against the nation of Iraq, opposing the continued non military sanctions and proposed escalated military action, and urging the Bush Administration and our federal representatives to work with and through the United Nations to obtain compliance by Iraq with the United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the development by Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and to support fully the return of international weapons inspectors to Iraq for that purpose and to actively support the United Nations' diplomatic efforts to support and encourage democracy and respect for human rights in Iraq and all nations.

WHEREAS, The United States has been the primary force behind 12 years of non military sanctions against Iraq that have resulted in the death of over 500,000 children under the age of 5, due to inadequate water, food, and medicine, according to UNICEF and other international relief organizations; and

WHEREAS, Humane, international diplomatic efforts should be the preferred means to resolve international conflicts, and war should be a last resort; and

WHEREAS, The government of Iraq has agreed to the unconditional return of international weapons inspectors to determine Iraq's compliance with the United National Security Council resolutions concerning the development of weapons of mass destruction by Iraq; and

WHEREAS, The ultimate security of the United States is dependent on creating conditions of life for all nations, working together cooperatively, that will eliminate poverty, injustice, inequality, environmental degradation, and other factors that breed war and terrorism; and

WHEREAS, The citizens of Baltimore, Maryland and their local elected officials have the constitutional right to petition the national government on this matter of grave concern to our community, as part ofthe national and international debate now underway; and

WHEREAS, There is a spirited debate on the possibility of war on Iraq, and there is a wide range of opinions in Baltimore about the advisability and likely consequences of war with Iraq; and

WHEREAS, Our Congressional Representatives voted against Congressional approval of approving President Bush's right to attack Iraq.

Now, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF BALTIMORE, That this Body hereby:

(1) Reaffirms the article of the United Nations Charter and the principles of international law on the peaceful resolution of disputes;

(2) Expresses opposition to the United States' continued and threatened violation of the United Nations Charter and of international law by its unilateral, preemptive military action against the nation of Iraq;

(3) Opposes continuing non military sanctions, continuing United States' military action against Iraq, and proposed escalated military action by the United States against Iraq;

(4) Urges the Bush Administration and our Representatives in Congress to work with and through the United Nations to obtain compliance by Iraq with United Nations Security Council resolutions concerning the development of Iraq of weapons of mass destruction and to support fully the return of international weapon inspectors to Iraq for that purpose; and

(5) Urges the Bush Administration and our Representatives to actively support United Nations' diplomatic efforts to support and encourage democracy and respect for human rights in Iraq and all nations;

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That no war against Iraq be undertaken at any time by the United States without the agreement of the United Nations Security Council under the United Nations Charter and without a full debate and vote in the United States Congress under Article I, Section 8 of the Unites States Constitution

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be sent to those listed as requesters of this resolutions, to the Mayor, and to the State of Maryland Representatives to the 107th Congress of the United States.