Peaceful Alternatives to the War on Terrorism

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What's Going On

Seventy-five to a hundred thousand people gathered in our nation's capitol last weekend to call for peace. Tens of thousands of these came specifically to call for a different response to the attacks of September 11th than that which we currently pursue. These tens of thousands of concerned citizens recognize that the war on terrorism will not make us safer. They recognize that we as Americans must work to build global security through such core American values as democracy, human rights, and the rule of law.

Despite Americans' growing concern with the ever-expanding, seemingly unending war, the Administration has requested an additional $27 billion for it. The continuing drain on the economy that this request represents is troubling. More troubling, however, are the fundamental changes in laws governing US foreign aid that this request would institute. The FY 2002 Supplemental Bill would override protections created by Congress to help ensure human rights in countries receiving US military aid. The request will supply arms and other military aid to countries that violate human rights, and will provide only small amounts of assistance for humanitarian and health related programs. This approach will undermine long term security, not build it.

Instead of only relying on military aggression, we must take concrete steps toward viable, long-term solutions for global stability. Below is Peace Action's platform of recommendations for real solutions for a safer world.

1. Strengthen the force of law. The terrorists who committed the September 11 attacks should be brought to justice in a court of law. In the past, perpetrators of similar crimes have been successfully prosecuted by international tribunals. Legal prosecution holds the criminals accountable, and punishes the responsible parties, without killing more innocent civilians. The US should work to strengthen international laws on terrorism and the means to enforce them through the United Nations and the International Criminal Court. International jurisprudence will help to halt the escalation of anti-American sentiment.

2. Abolish weapons of mass destruction. In order to limit the threat of nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction, the US must ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, terminate Star Wars, and re-affirm, not withdraw from, the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty. The US should work with Russia and other nations to ensure the control of nuclear materials. As the nation with the largest nuclear arsenal, it is important for the US to be the leader toward nuclear disarmament.

3. End the arms trade and military training programs. According to Human Rights Watch, small arms have killed three million civilians since 1990. The same small arms trade makes weapons available to terrorists, drug traffickers and other violent factions around the world. Weapons sales should be restricted through an arms transfers Code of Conduct which would prevent states from exporting weapons, or providing military aid, to countries that are undemocratic, that don't respect human rights and that are engaged in armed aggression towards their own citizens or other countries.

The US also maintains a number of military training programs for foreign nationals, and has trained and armed the likes of Saddam Hussein, Manuel Noriega, and Osama bin Laden. This kind of military training must be stopped if we are to prevent situations in which we find ourselves fighting against the very people we helped to create and arm.

4. Build good will by increasing foreign aid. The US, as the single largest national economy, must work to eliminate the conditions that sustain terrorism. It is in our best interest to provide substantial aid to developing nations and to enact policies that promote human rights. Strong humanitarian efforts, including food and medical assistance, will demonstrate America's commitment to peace and prosperity for all nations. This approach undermines terrorists' power by facilitating real stability.

Find out more about Peace Action's Real Solutions for a Safer World

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Take Action

In the interest of global security, please urge your members of congress to preserve existing human rights conditions on US foreign military aid. Ask them to oppose the Administration's FY 2002 supplemental spending request unless it is revised to maintain longstanding human rights conditions for countries receiving military foreign aid.

Contact your Congressperson and Senators and tell them to:

maintain existing human rights conditions for countries receiving foreign aid
maintain control of military foreign aid within the Department of State
address real humanitarian problems
maintain congressional control of the purse strings and oversight of foreign aid programs;

Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202/224-3121 and ask to be connected to the office of your Senators and Congressperson.

For more information on contacting elected officials see Contact Congress.

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