Analysis: Iraq War Overtures

• The Heartland proposal, "On Ending the War in Iraq," is by far the weakest, calling only for more U.N. and international involvement in Iraq's security, pastoral care for military personnel, funding for rebuilding, and support for ministries to address human needs. It would add nothing to the most recent G.A. statement of 2004, which lacked specific policy points to guide Presbyterians in their advocacy efforts.
• The Atlanta overture, "On the Withdrawal of U.S. Troops from Iraq," contains all of the points of the Heartland one, and adds a strong request to "the United States government to develop and implement a specific timetable for the withdrawal of United States military forces." It touches on the important issue of permanent bases by asking us to advocate for the "complete withdrawal of United States military forces...."
• "On Building Peace in Iraq," from Baltimore, is by far the strongest of the overtures, especially in its "call upon the government of the United States to end its military presence in Iraq by withdrawing all troops, hired soldiers, and contractors, and permanently closing all military bases in Iraq." It honors conscientious objectors and those who engage in nonviolent direct action for peace. It is also more detailed and specific in addressing veterans' needs, how to internationalize Iraq's security, and steps to be taken in the war's aftermath. These steps would include repairing environmental damage, investigating war crimes, and engaging in a truth and reconciliation process similar to the successful ones in South Africa and El Salvador. Several PPF members contributed to the development of this overture.
• The ACSWP resolution is very strong, although a bit less firm in insisting on a total withdrawal of U.S. forces. It asks for "the swiftest possible internationalization of the occupation of Iraq under UN aegis, to improve security (removing U.S. troops as a focus of violence)..." and "a plan to conclude major military operations in a responsible and expeditious manner, leading to the withdrawal of virtually all U.S. forces and the international use for peace and reconstruction of fourteen bases built by U.S. contractors." Perhaps a helpful commissioner will try to remove the words "major" and "virtually all."

  The resolution's language is moderate, using "plan" instead of "timetable," and avoiding possibly controversial language about war crimes, restitution, and truth commissions. However, it calls for comprehensive measures for achieving justice, restoration, and accountability in the war's aftermath. It also includes program initiatives for the church: a review of peace studies programs and peacemaking opportunities in colleges and seminaries and the authorization of interfaith peace witnesses.

  A final recommendation to create and fund a new version of the Commission on a Just and Durable Peace, a cold war era think tank, raises questions by choosing a model from such a distant and different time. The proposal should be clarified to define the role of churches as advocates for a demilitarized foreign policy based on effective diplomatic initiatives and international cooperation through the United Nations.

  The included study paper, written by Edward Long, Jr. and Gary Dorrien, contains a substantive review of the issues raised by the Iraq War and, if an appropriate study guide is prepared, will be useful for adult study groups as well as college and seminary classes.

Two overtures focus on particular problems of the Iraq war - the plight of refugees and violence against women.

• "Regarding Assistance for Iraqi Refugees," from the Presbytery of Lake Huron, calls for quickly resettling Iraqi refugees in the U.S. This overture is worthy of support, and places major responsibility for dealing with the refugee crisis where it belongs, with the United States, the main creator of the crisis.
• "Addressing the Violence and Suffering Inflicted on Iraqi Women During the Current Prolonged War," from Providence Presbytery, calls attention to abuses against Iraqi women, which have increased in recent years. This is a real problem, especially since many war crimes target women and other vulnerable victims such as children and the elderly. However, a close reading of the overture shows that it places much of the blame on Islamic fundamentalism, rather than the war itself; and the Iraqi government, as if that government were truly sovereign. If this overture is to be supported, the recommendations should be revised to direct more advocacy to correcting the abuses against women and all Iraqis caused by the occupation.

The General Assembly should not consider passing either of these overtures unless they are part of a comprehensive position on Iraq, addressing all of the issues included in the Baltimore and Atlanta overtures and in the "Costly Lessons" resolution.