Res. No. 194

Resolution calling on President George W. Bush to immediately withdraw all United States military forces from Iraq before the one-year anniversary of the war with Iraq.

By Council Members Barron and Stewart

                     Whereas, Since March 20, 2003 the United States has occupied the country of Iraq and engaged in hostile military action against Iraqis during such occupation; and

Whereas, Resolution No. 549-A, passed by the Council on March 12, 2003, opposed a preemptive military attack on Iraq; and

Whereas, The men and women of our armed forces serving in Iraq have acted bravely in the service of our country; and

                     Whereas, The occupation of Iraq has resulted in an unacceptable loss of nearly 600 American lives, as well as thousands of Iraqis, both military and civilian; and

                     Whereas, The international community, through its representatives in the United Nations, made clear its intent to assess Iraq’s military capabilities and did so through a highly qualified weapons inspection team led by Hans Blix; and

                     Whereas, The UN weapons inspection team found no evidence of any significant chemical, biological or nuclear weapons production facilities, despite fervent, negligent and possibly fraudulent claims by the Bush administration to the contrary; and

                     Whereas, David Kay, former chief U.S. weapons inspector in Iraq, now says he does not think stockpiles of weapons of mass destruction existed and no longer believes that Iraq had a large-scale production program nor a nuclear program in the 1990s; and

Whereas, Recently the Bush administration has taken serious criticism for its poor handling of intelligence leading up to the war in Iraq for which it will be investigated after the presidential election in November; and

Whereas, Thousands of United States troops continue to suffer guerrilla-style attacks, despite the President’s declaration that major hostilities had ended in Iraq almost nine months ago; and

Whereas, The people of the City of New York have repeatedly and strenuously voiced their intense opposition to the war in Iraq, exemplified by one of the largest public demonstrations in the history of the City on February 15, 2003; and

Whereas, The President has hurt America’s diplomatic relationships in the international community, perhaps forever tarnishing the reputation of our great nation; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on President George W. Bush to immediately withdraw all United States military forces from Iraq before the one-year anniversary of the war with Iraq.