Deprecated: Function get_magic_quotes_gpc() is deprecated in /home/customer/www/ufppc.org/public_html/libraries/fof30/Input/Input.php on line 99 United for Peace of Pierce County - On a Statement by 27 'Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change'
"We nonviolently oppose the
reliance on unilateral military actions rather than cooperative
diplomacy."
www.ufppc.org
On a Statement by 27 “Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change”
June 24, 2004
On Wednesday, June 16, a group of diplomats and military leaders issued a statement, saying the Bush administration has adopted "an overbearing approach to America's role in the world, relying upon military might and righteousness, insensitive to the concerns of traditional friends and allies, and disdainful of the United Nations."
These 27 diverse individuals, experienced in the ways of power, say that the Bush administration has shown itself to be "motivated more by ideology than by reasoned analysis." It has "led the United States into an ill-planned and costly war from which exit is uncertain. It justified the invasion of Iraq by manipulation of uncertain intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, and by a cynical campaign to persuade the public that Saddam Hussein was linked to Al Qaeda and the attacks of September 11. The evidence did not support this argument."
As a result, they said, "Our security has been weakened."
The statement asserts that "the United States suffers from close identification with autocratic regimes in the Muslim world, and from the perception of unquestioning support for the policies and actions of the present Israeli Government," and calls for "balanced efforts to establish peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Emphasizing the gravity of the technical, social, environmental, demographic, medical, and spiritual problems that humanity is facing, these leaders conclude: "The Bush Administration has shown that it does not grasp these circumstances of the new era, and is not able to rise to the responsibilities of world leadership in either style or substance. It is time for a change."
Their statement is strikingly similar, in its fundamental thrust, to the mission statement of UFPPC. We applaud these leaders for speaking out at this time, and recommend their statement to the attention of every American.
STATEMENT FROM DIPLOMATS AND MILITARY COMMANDERS FOR CHANGE
June 16, 2004
The undersigned have held positions of responsibility for the planning and execution of American foreign and defense policy. Collectively, we have served every president since Harry S. Truman. Some of us are Democrats, some are Republicans or Independents, many voted for George W. Bush. But we all believe that current Administration policies have failed in the primary responsibilities of preserving national security and providing world leadership. Serious issues are at stake. We need a change.
From the outset, President George W. Bush adopted an overbearing approach to America's role in the world, relying upon military might and righteousness, insensitive to the concerns of traditional friends and allies, and disdainful of the United Nations. Instead of building upon America's great economic and moral strength to lead other nations in a coordinated campaign to address the causes of terrorism and to stifle its resources, the Administration, motivated more by ideology than by reasoned analysis, struck out on its own. It led the United States into an ill-planned and costly war from which exit is uncertain. It justified the invasion of Iraq by manipulation of uncertain intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, and by a cynical campaign to persuade the public that Saddam Hussein was linked to Al Qaeda and the attacks of September 11. The evidence did not support this argument.
Our security has been weakened. While American airmen and women, marines, soldiers and sailors have performed gallantly, our armed forces were not prepared for military occupation and nation building. Public opinion polls throughout the world report hostility toward us. Muslim youth are turning to anti-American terrorism. Never in the two and a quarter centuries of our history has the United States been so isolated among the nations, so broadly feared and distrusted. No loyal American would question our ultimate right to act alone in our national interest; but responsible leadership would not turn to unilateral military action before diplomacy had been thoroughly explored.
The United States suffers from close identification with autocratic regimes in the Muslim world, and from the perception of unquestioning support for the policies and actions of the present Israeli Government. To enhance credibility with Islamic peoples we must pursue courageous, energetic and balanced efforts to establish peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and policies that encourage responsible democratic reforms.
We face profound challenges in the 21st Century: proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, unequal distribution of wealth and the fruits of globalization, terrorism, environmental degradation, population growth in the developing world, HIV/AIDS, ethnic and religious confrontations. Such problems can not be resolved by military force, nor by the sole remaining superpower alone; they demand patient, coordinated global effort under the leadership of the United States.
The Bush Administration has shown that it does not grasp these circumstances of the new era, and is not able to rise to the responsibilities of world leadership in either style or substance. It is time for a change.
Signatories: The Honorable Avis T. Bohlen Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, 1999 - Ambassador to Bulgaria, 1996 - District of Columbia Admiral William J. Crowe, USN, Ret. Chairman, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Committee, 1993 - Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, 1993 - Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1985 - Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command - Oklahoma The Honorable Jeffrey S. Davidow Ambassador to Mexico, 1998 - Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1996 - Ambassador to Venezuela, 1993 - Ambassador to Zambia, 1988 - Virginia The Honorable William A. DePree Ambassador to Bangladesh, 1987 - Director of State Department Management Operations, 1983 - Ambassador to Mozambique, 1976 - Michigan The Honorable Donald B. Easum Ambassador to Nigeria, 1975 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1974 - Ambassador to Upper Volta, 1971 - Virginia The Honorable Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, 1993 - Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1989 - Rhode Island The Honorable William C. Harrop Ambassador to Israel, 1991 - Ambassador to Zaire, 1987 - Inspector General of the State Department and Foreign Service, 1983 - Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles, 1980 - Ambassador to Guinea, 1975 - New Jersey The Honorable Arthur A. Hartman Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1981 - Ambassador to France, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, 1973 - New Jersey General Joseph P. Hoar, USMC, Ret. Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, 1991 - Deputy Chief of Staff, Marine Corps, 1990 - Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, 1987 - Massachusetts The Honorable H. Allen Holmes Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, 1993 - Ambassador at Large for Burdensharing, 1989 - Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1986 - Ambassador to Portugal, 1982 - Kansas The Honorable Robert V. Keeley Ambassador to Greece, 1985 - Ambassador to Zimbabwe, 1980 - Ambassador to Mauritius, 1976 - Florida The Honorable Samuel W. Lewis Director of State Department Policy and Planning, 1993 - Ambassador to Israel, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1975 - Texas The Honorable Princeton N. Lyman Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1997 - Ambassador to South Africa, 1992 - Director, Bureau of Refugee Programs, 1989 - Ambassador to Nigeria, 1986 - Maryland The Honorable Jack F. Matlock, Jr. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1987 - Director for European and Soviet Affairs, National Security Council, 1983 - Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1981 - Florida The Honorable Donald F. McHenry Ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1979 -Illinois General Merrill A. (Tony) McPeak, USAF, Ret. Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, 1990 -Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces, 1988 -Commander, 12th Air Force and U.S. Southern Command Air Forces, 1987 -Oregon The Honorable George E. Moose Representative, United Nations European Office, 1997 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1993 -Ambassador to Senegal, 1988 -Director, State Department Bureau of Management Operations, 1987 - Ambassador to Benin, 1983 - Colorado The Honorable David D. Newsom Secretary of State ad interim, 1981 - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, 1978 - Ambassador to the Philippines, 1977 - Ambassador to Indonesia, 1973 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1969 - Ambassador to Libya, 1965 - California The Honorable Phyllis E. Oakley Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, 1997 - Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, 1994 -Nebraska The Honorable Robert Oakley Special Envoy for Somalia, 1992 - Ambassador to Pakistan, 1988 - Ambassador to Somalia.1982 - Ambassador to Zaire, 1979 - Louisiana The Honorable James D. Phillips Diplomat-in-Residence, the Carter Center of Emory University, 1994 - Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, 1990 - Ambassador to Burundi, 1986 - Kansas The Honorable John E. Reinhardt Director of the United States Information Agency, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1975 - Ambassador to Nigeria, 1971 - Maryland General William Y. Smith, USAF, Ret. Chief of Staff for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, 1979 - Assistant to the Chairman, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1975 - Director of National Security Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, 1974 - Arkansas The Honorable Ronald I. Spiers Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, 1989 - Under Secretary of State for Management, 1983 - Ambassador to Pakistan, 1981 - Director, State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, 1980 - Ambassador to Turkey, 1977 - Ambassador to The Bahamas, 1973 - Director, State Department Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, 1969 - Vermont The Honorable Michael E. Sterner Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, 1974 - New York Admiral Stansfield Turner, USN, Ret. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1977 - Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO), 1975 - Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, 1974 - Illinois The Honorable Alexander F. Watson Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1993 - Ambassador to Brazil, 1992 - Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1989 - Ambassador to Peru, 1986 - Maryland www.diplomatsforchange.com/
UNITED FOR PEACE OF PIERCE
COUNTY
"We nonviolently oppose
the reliance on unilateral military actions
rather than cooperative
diplomacy."
www.ufppc.org
UFPPC meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at First United Methodist Church, 423 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma @ 7-9 p.m. – Info: 253-535-7219
On a Statement by 27 'Diplomats and Military Commanders for Change'
UNITED FOR PEACE OF PIERCE COUNTY
"We nonviolently oppose the reliance on unilateral military actions rather than cooperative diplomacy."
www.ufppc.org
On a Statement by 27 “Diplomats
and Military Commanders for Change”
June 24, 2004
On Wednesday, June 16, a group of diplomats and military leaders issued a statement, saying the Bush administration has adopted "an overbearing approach to America's role in the world, relying upon military might and righteousness, insensitive to the concerns of traditional friends and allies, and disdainful of the United Nations."
These 27 diverse individuals, experienced in the ways of power, say that the Bush administration has shown itself to be "motivated more by ideology than by reasoned analysis." It has "led the United States into an ill-planned and costly war from which exit is uncertain. It justified the invasion of Iraq by manipulation of uncertain intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, and by a cynical campaign to persuade the public that Saddam Hussein was linked to Al Qaeda and the attacks of September 11. The evidence did not support this argument."
As a result, they said, "Our security has been weakened."
The statement asserts that "the United States suffers from close identification with autocratic regimes in the Muslim world, and from the perception of unquestioning support for the policies and actions of the present Israeli Government," and calls for "balanced efforts to establish peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Emphasizing the gravity of the technical, social, environmental, demographic, medical, and spiritual problems that humanity is facing, these leaders conclude: "The Bush Administration has shown that it does not grasp these circumstances of the new era, and is not able to rise to the responsibilities of world leadership in either style or substance. It is time for a change."
Their statement is strikingly similar, in its fundamental thrust, to the mission statement of UFPPC. We applaud these leaders for speaking out at this time, and recommend their statement to the attention of every American.
STATEMENT FROM DIPLOMATS AND MILITARY COMMANDERS FOR CHANGE
June 16, 2004
The undersigned have held positions of responsibility for the planning and execution of American foreign and defense policy. Collectively, we have served every president since Harry S. Truman. Some of us are Democrats, some are Republicans or Independents, many voted for George W. Bush. But we all believe that current Administration policies have failed in the primary responsibilities of preserving national security and providing world leadership. Serious issues are at stake. We need a change.
From the outset, President George W. Bush adopted an overbearing approach to America's role in the world, relying upon military might and righteousness, insensitive to the concerns of traditional friends and allies, and disdainful of the United Nations. Instead of building upon America's great economic and moral strength to lead other nations in a coordinated campaign to address the causes of terrorism and to stifle its resources, the Administration, motivated more by ideology than by reasoned analysis, struck out on its own. It led the United States into an ill-planned and costly war from which exit is uncertain. It justified the invasion of Iraq by manipulation of uncertain intelligence about weapons of mass destruction, and by a cynical campaign to persuade the public that Saddam Hussein was linked to Al Qaeda and the attacks of September 11. The evidence did not support this argument.
Our security has been weakened. While American airmen and women, marines, soldiers and sailors have performed gallantly, our armed forces were not prepared for military occupation and nation building. Public opinion polls throughout the world report hostility toward us. Muslim youth are turning to anti-American terrorism. Never in the two and a quarter centuries of our history has the United States been so isolated among the nations, so broadly feared and distrusted. No loyal American would question our ultimate right to act alone in our national interest; but responsible leadership would not turn to unilateral military action before diplomacy had been thoroughly explored.
The United States suffers from close identification with autocratic regimes in the Muslim world, and from the perception of unquestioning support for the policies and actions of the present Israeli Government. To enhance credibility with Islamic peoples we must pursue courageous, energetic and balanced efforts to establish peace between Israelis and Palestinians, and policies that encourage responsible democratic reforms.
We face profound challenges in the 21st Century: proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, unequal distribution of wealth and the fruits of globalization, terrorism, environmental degradation, population growth in the developing world, HIV/AIDS, ethnic and religious confrontations. Such problems can not be resolved by military force, nor by the sole remaining superpower alone; they demand patient, coordinated global effort under the leadership of the United States.
The Bush Administration has shown that it does not grasp these circumstances of the new era, and is not able to rise to the responsibilities of world leadership in either style or substance. It is time for a change.
Signatories: The Honorable Avis T. Bohlen Assistant Secretary of State for Arms Control, 1999 - Ambassador to Bulgaria, 1996 - District of Columbia Admiral William J. Crowe, USN, Ret. Chairman, President’s Foreign Intelligence Advisory Committee, 1993 - Ambassador to the Court of Saint James, 1993 - Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1985 - Commander in Chief, United States Pacific Command - Oklahoma The Honorable Jeffrey S. Davidow Ambassador to Mexico, 1998 - Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1996 - Ambassador to Venezuela, 1993 - Ambassador to Zambia, 1988 - Virginia The Honorable William A. DePree Ambassador to Bangladesh, 1987 - Director of State Department Management Operations, 1983 - Ambassador to Mozambique, 1976 - Michigan The Honorable Donald B. Easum Ambassador to Nigeria, 1975 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1974 - Ambassador to Upper Volta, 1971 - Virginia The Honorable Charles W. Freeman, Jr. Assistant Secretary of Defense, International Security Affairs, 1993 - Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, 1989 - Rhode Island The Honorable William C. Harrop Ambassador to Israel, 1991 - Ambassador to Zaire, 1987 - Inspector General of the State Department and Foreign Service, 1983 - Ambassador to Kenya and Seychelles, 1980 - Ambassador to Guinea, 1975 - New Jersey The Honorable Arthur A. Hartman Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1981 - Ambassador to France, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs, 1973 - New Jersey General Joseph P. Hoar, USMC, Ret. Commander in Chief, United States Central Command, 1991 - Deputy Chief of Staff, Marine Corps, 1990 - Commanding General, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, 1987 - Massachusetts The Honorable H. Allen Holmes Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations, 1993 - Ambassador at Large for Burdensharing, 1989 - Assistant Secretary of State for Politico-Military Affairs, 1986 - Ambassador to Portugal, 1982 - Kansas The Honorable Robert V. Keeley Ambassador to Greece, 1985 - Ambassador to Zimbabwe, 1980 - Ambassador to Mauritius, 1976 - Florida The Honorable Samuel W. Lewis Director of State Department Policy and Planning, 1993 - Ambassador to Israel, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1975 - Texas The Honorable Princeton N. Lyman Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs, 1997 - Ambassador to South Africa, 1992 - Director, Bureau of Refugee Programs, 1989 - Ambassador to Nigeria, 1986 - Maryland The Honorable Jack F. Matlock, Jr. Ambassador to the Soviet Union, 1987 - Director for European and Soviet Affairs, National Security Council, 1983 - Ambassador to Czechoslovakia, 1981 - Florida The Honorable Donald F. McHenry Ambassador and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1979 -Illinois General Merrill A. (Tony) McPeak, USAF, Ret. Chief of Staff, United States Air Force, 1990 -Commander in Chief, Pacific Air Forces, 1988 -Commander, 12th Air Force and U.S. Southern Command Air Forces, 1987 -Oregon The Honorable George E. Moose Representative, United Nations European Office, 1997 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1993 -Ambassador to Senegal, 1988 -Director, State Department Bureau of Management Operations, 1987 - Ambassador to Benin, 1983 - Colorado The Honorable David D. Newsom Secretary of State ad interim, 1981 - Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, 1978 - Ambassador to the Philippines, 1977 - Ambassador to Indonesia, 1973 - Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, 1969 - Ambassador to Libya, 1965 - California The Honorable Phyllis E. Oakley Assistant Secretary of State for Intelligence and Research, 1997 - Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration, 1994 -Nebraska The Honorable Robert Oakley Special Envoy for Somalia, 1992 - Ambassador to Pakistan, 1988 - Ambassador to Somalia.1982 - Ambassador to Zaire, 1979 - Louisiana The Honorable James D. Phillips Diplomat-in-Residence, the Carter Center of Emory University, 1994 - Ambassador to the Republic of Congo, 1990 - Ambassador to Burundi, 1986 - Kansas The Honorable John E. Reinhardt Director of the United States Information Agency, 1977 - Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1975 - Ambassador to Nigeria, 1971 - Maryland General William Y. Smith, USAF, Ret. Chief of Staff for Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe, 1979 - Assistant to the Chairman, Organization of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1975 - Director of National Security Affairs, Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs, 1974 - Arkansas The Honorable Ronald I. Spiers Under Secretary General of the United Nations for Political Affairs, 1989 - Under Secretary of State for Management, 1983 - Ambassador to Pakistan, 1981 - Director, State Department Bureau of Intelligence and Research, 1980 - Ambassador to Turkey, 1977 - Ambassador to The Bahamas, 1973 - Director, State Department Bureau of Politico-Military Affairs, 1969 - Vermont The Honorable Michael E. Sterner Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, 1974 - New York Admiral Stansfield Turner, USN, Ret. Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1977 - Commander in Chief, Allied Forces Southern Europe (NATO), 1975 - Commander, U.S. Second Fleet, 1974 - Illinois The Honorable Alexander F. Watson Assistant Secretary of State for Inter-American Affairs, 1993 - Ambassador to Brazil, 1992 - Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, 1989 - Ambassador to Peru, 1986 - Maryland www.diplomatsforchange.com/
UNITED FOR PEACE OF PIERCE COUNTY
"We nonviolently oppose the reliance on unilateral military actions
rather than cooperative diplomacy."
www.ufppc.org
UFPPC meets on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month at First United Methodist Church, 423 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Tacoma @ 7-9 p.m. – Info: 253-535-7219