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\pnlcrm\pnstart1\pnindent720\pnhang{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 \fs24\lang1033\langfe1033\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp1033 {Senator Maria Cantwell
\par 915 Second Avenue, Suite 3206\line Seattle, WA 98174
\par 
\par August 21, 2006
\par 
\par 
\par 
\par Dear Senator Cantwell,
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx560\tx1120\tx1680\tx2240\tx2800\tx3360\tx3920\tx4480\tx5040\tx5600\tx6160\tx6720\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {On behalf of Vancouver for Peace, Democracy for Vancouver, and Progressive Democrats
 of America, we request your support for a change in our policy in Iraq.  We support the policy changes contained in the Declaration for Peace attached to this letter.  We are asking you to sign the Declaration of Peace, a nationwide campaign to establish
 by September 21}{\super st}{, a rapid and concrete plan for sovereignty and security in Iraq, including:
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\f14 \loch\af14\dbch\af0\hich\f14 \'a7\tab}}\pard \ql \fi-360\li720\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx560\jclisttab\tx720\tx1120\tx1680\tx2240\tx2800\tx3360\tx3920\tx4480\tx5040\tx5600\tx6160\tx6720\faauto\ls1\rin0\lin720\itap0 {
A prompt timetable for withdrawal of U.S. troops and closure of U.S. bases;
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\f14 \loch\af14\dbch\af0\hich\f14 \'a7\tab}A peace process for security, reconstruction and reconciliation; and
\par {\listtext\pard\plain\f14 \loch\af14\dbch\af0\hich\f14 \'a7\tab}The shift of funding for war to meeting human needs.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {We ask you to meet with us as soon as possible to discuss the Declaration of Peace\rquote 
s recommendations for change in U.S. policy.  This campaign is our next step in working for sovereignty and security fo
r Iraq and a humane and effective foreign policy.  We have been speaking to your office for over 3 years about our opposition to the war in Iraq.  We have turned in signatures on petitions from hundreds of Clark County constituents supporting policy alter
n
atives like those contained in the Declaration of Peace.  We have demonstrated, held town halls, lobbied, and even fasted.  Now we are asking you to sign the Declaration of Peace and to stand by the commitment made therein by voting for legislation by Sep
tember 21}{\super st}{ to remove U.S. forces from Iraq on a definite and speedy timetable.  
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {We appreciate that you have supported a resolution stating that }{it is the U.S. policy to remove all U.S. military troops and bases from Iraq}{\f1\fs18\cf17 .  }{Co-sponsoring S.Con.Res.93 (Exp
ressing the sense of Congress with respect to accomplishing the mission in Iraq; }{\i introduced by Sen. Harkin}{) would be a positive additional step that would support the Declaration of Peace.  }{\fs20 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx560\tx1120\tx1680\tx2240\tx2800\tx3360\tx3920\tx4480\tx5040\tx5600\tx6160\tx6720\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {
\par \'93The U.S. war in Iraq is an endless fire consuming lives, resour
ces, and the fragile possibilities of peace. Every day that Congress refuses to act to end the Iraq war, an average of 2 U.S. soldiers die, along with dozens of innocent Iraqi people. Instead of quenching this fire, the U.S. occupation intensifies it.\'94
 As Lt. Gen. William E. Odom, former director of the National Security Agency, put it in a recent sharply worded article in Foreign Policy, \'93America must withdraw from Iraq now.\'94
 [Odom, E. (2006) Cut and Run? You Bet. Why America must get out of Iraq now.  }{\i Foreign Policy, 154}{, 60.]
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {Recent polls suggest that most Americans favor a speedy withdrawal of our forces from Iraq.}{\f1   }{
Most Iraqis and even a majority of U.S. service members join them in agreement that we need to end our occupation of Iraq speedily.  For example, when President Bush visited Iraq recently, Iraq\rquote 
s Vice President asked him to set a timetable for withdrawal.  Across the political spectrum, Americans agree that an exit strategy from Iraq is the single most important issue facing our nation today.  
\par 
\par Tragically, U.S. policy in Iraq has dramatically weakened U.S. leadership around the world as a champion of self-determination, justice, and prosperity for all.  We firmly believe the occupation of Iraq is making terroris
m against the U.S. more likely, not less and that our families and friends are less safe with every day that the U.S. occupation of Iraq continues.  Mr. Bush has declared Iraq as a central front in his \'93war on terror.\'94
  We all want the threat of terrorism 
eliminated.  However, basing U.S. foreign policy on the use of American military power to kill terrorists and change regimes is counterproductive and, as implemented by the Bush administration, illegal and immoral.  We need you to speak out as a leader fo
r a new vision of U.S. foreign policy based on true American values of self-determination, justice, international cooperation, and prosperity for all.  Only such a policy, will allow us to successfully address the threat of terrorism.
\par 
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tx560\tx1120\tx1680\tx2240\tx2800\tx3360\tx3920\tx4480\tx5040\tx5600\tx6160\tx6720\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0 {Because our conscienc
es are distressed by the humanitarian crisis in Iraq, we are strongly committed to working for the moral imperative of a change in our policy.  Because garnering your support is one of the few options open to us for changing U.S. policy, we plan to be per
s
istent in our requests.  We know that you share our support for the U.S. troops and we all want them to come home safely.  We also believe you share our concern for the sovereignty and security of Iraq.  We ask you to show your commitment to our military 
personnel, U.S. security, and sovereignty and security in Iraq by signing the Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge that is enclosed.
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\widctlpar\aspalpha\aspnum\faauto\adjustright\rin0\lin0\itap0 {
\par Sincerely,
\par 
\par Vancouver for Peace
\par Democracy for Vancouver 
\par Progressive Democrats of America
\par 
\par 
\par 
\par Enclosed
\par Declaration of Peace Congressional Pledge form.
\par Article by Lt. General Odom referred to above.
\par 
\par }}