Article: There is No Peace in Escalation

There is no credible peace plan that involves sending 20,000 more troops
to Iraq. There is no addressing sectarian warfare by increasing the
visibility of US troops in Iraq. This is a regional struggle and the source
of it lies in the actions of British colonialism's partitioning of the region
after World War 1. There is a role to be played. But there is nothing
to be gained by attempting a US Imperial mandate to the national
political questions confronting the people and nations in the region.

As Americans whose government is currently engaged in a ruthless and
reckless exercise in Iraq, it is time for us to begin the process of
formulating a package of policies that lead in the direction of peace. This
is something that a 2008 Presidential candidate can raise and present to
increase public awareness. This is something that we can begin to advocate
for in state legislatures and with Congressional delegations. This is something that demonstrates the underlying changes needed to address the issues raised by the conduct of the Bush administration in Iraq.

To do so we have to first admit that our government needs to play an active
and positive role in this proposal. Troop withdrawals may indeed be a
precondition of the proposal but I for one do not see advocating disengagement
from the broader issues that must be addressed as anything other than
cowering in fear rather then lead with vision and concrete policies. So,
as a first step I am going to present a package of the issues that we should
examine, so that we can focus on the development of a foreign policy
reflective of our voters and supporters' ideals.

Here's a grocery list to start off. Additions are asked for, but particular
tactics or strategies should probably evolve more as we proceed to target
implementation issues. Apparently, this water is too heavy for Democrats
to haul, so it's time for others to do it ourselves and find Greener pastures.

1. Demilitarization of the region
Withdrawal of US and other Troops
Nuclear Non-Proliferation and Dismantling of Existing Stockpile
Restrictions on Israeli Interventions
Establishment of Peace Keeping Process

2. Withdraw from Occupied Territories
Dismantling of the Wall
Resolution of the Status of Jerusalem
Recognition of Israel

3. Recognition of National Liberation Projects
Support for Kurdistan Towards Recognition
Support for Palestinian Authority to expand to governmental status
Recommence Israeli-Palestinian Direct Negotiations
Withdrawing PMOI (People's Mujahadeen) and PKK (Kurdish Workers' Party) From the List of Terrorist Organizations

4. Accountability for Human Rights and War Crimes
Iraq War crimes
ICC Jurisdiction
Constitutional Protections by Nations
Investigations into Lebanese Assassinations
Prosecutions for Sectarian Related Violence

5. Restitution and Reparations
Determination of Amount by US and Britain
Defining Structures for Disbursements
Prioritization of Projects

6. Accountability of US Government
Constitutional Mechanisms
ICC Jurisdiction
Empowerment of States
Ending US Military Aid
Impeachment Proceedings

7. Regional Oversight
Establishment and Empowerment of Entities
Coordination with Arab League
Observers for Iraqi Sectarian Violence

8 US Transition to Non-Carbon Fuel Energies
Establishment of a Long-Term Plan
Approval of Kyoto Accord

9 Resolution of Iraqi Political Turmoil
Recognition of Equal Political Rights
Disarmament of Political Organizations

10 Regional Economic Development
Energy Production Assistance to Iran
Oil Royalties Disbursements in Iraq

11 Institutionalization of Peace in the US
Department of Peace
Demilitarization of the Economy

12. Establishment of Equal Rights for Women nd Abolishment of Codified Inequalities in Iraq
Ratification of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) by US and Iraq
Secularization of legal codes
Representation of women in political entities