HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-008 Urging cessation of combat operations in Iraq and the return of US troops
RESOLUTION NO. 07-008
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PORT TOWNSEND,
WASHINGTON, URGING CESSATION OF COMBAT OPERATIONS IN IRAQ AND
THE RETURN OF U.S. TROOPS
WHEREAS, the Authorization for Use of Mi]itary Force Against Iraq Resolution of
2002 was passed by the U.S. Congress on October 11,2002, and that Public Law 107-243 cited
Iraq's possession of weapons of mass destruction as a primary reason for the use of United States
Armed Forces against Iraq and
WHEREAS, on January 12, 2005, President Bush officially declared an end to the search
for weapons of mass destruction in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, the United States initiated combat operations in Iraq on March 19,2003;
and
WHEREAS. hundreds of thousands of members of the United States Armed Forces have
served with honor and distinction in Iraq; and
WHEREAS, more than 3,000 members of the United States Armed Forces have been
killed and more than 22,800 members of the Armed Forces have been wounded in pursuing the
stated purpose of the United States of giving the people ofIraq a reasonable opportunity to
decide their own future; and
WHEREAS, the United States military occupation ofIraq has placed significant strains
on the capacity of the United States Armed Forces, both active duty and reserve and the National
Guard; and
WHEREAS, "By the end of 2006, the Multi-National Security Transition Command-
Iraq under American leadership is expected to have trained and equipped a target number of
approximately 326,000 Iraqi security services. That figure includes 138,000 members of the Iraqi
Army and 188,000 Iraqi po]ice." (Iraq Study Group Report, p. ]2. Iraq Study Group is the
bipartisan panel headed by James A. Baker and Lee Hamilton. Their Report issued December 6,
2006); and
WHEREAS, "To date, the United States has spent roughly $400 billion on the Iraq War,
and costs are running about $8 billion per month. In addition, the United States must expect
significant 'tail costs' to come. Caring for veterans and replacing lost equipment will run into the
hundreds of billions of dollars. Estimates run as high as $2 trillion for the final cost of the U.S.
involvement in Iraq." (Iraq Study Group Report, p. 27); and
WHEREAS, the funds spent on the Iraq War ($400 billion) equates to $11,333,333 for
Port Townsend residents ($400 billion divided by 300 million US population equals $1,333 per
person, times 8,500 Port Townsend population). While these funds are substantially deficit-
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Resolution 07-008
financed, and aren't paid with current tax dollars, it is useful to illustrate the size of the sum of
$11.3 million by showing what could have been purchased locally ("opportunity cost"):
_ $11.3 million represents approximately one year operational funding for the Port Townsend
School District (Summary of General Fund Budget, Port Townsend School District, November
1, 2006).
_ $11.3 million represents approximately two years general funding for the City of Port
Townsend (parks, streets, police, administration).
_ $11.3 million could fund the following local services at the levels indicated for over 10 years:
Program Agency Number (cost Est. Funds per year
estimates from
al!encv)
Senior nutrition - Olympic Community ] 00 meals per day at $236,000
meals on wheels Action Program - $6.50 per meal
"Olycap"
Domestic violence Domestic $450,000 est. annual
and sexual assault Violence/Sexual budget
Assault Program of
Jefferson County
Health Care/Oral Olympic Community 1000 clients at $150 $150,000
Health Care Access Action Program - per client
Program "Olycap"
Emergency Shelter Olympic Community 1 00 clients at $1,000 $100,000
Action Program - per client
"Olycap"
Summer Enrichment Jefferson County 100 clients at $180 $]8,000
Program YMCA per client
Women's health Jefferson County 100 clients at $250 $25,000
program Public Health per client
Total $979,000
WHEREAS, the war and continued occupation have resulted in the devastation ofIraq's
physical and social infrastructure and led to widespread and continuous resistance to U.S.
occupation that threatens the lives ofIraqi civilians and the men and women who compose the
ranks of U.S. and other occupying forces; and
WHEREAS, the presence of United States forces in Iraq and the alleged torture of
prisoners at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and other facilities have inflamed anti-
American passions in the Muslim world and increased the terrorist threat to United States
citizens, both at home and abroad; and
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Resolution 07-008
WHEREAS, polls show that less than half of the American people support the war; and
WHEREAS, the Iraq Study Group Report (December 6, 2006), the bipartisan panel
headed by James A. Baker and Lee Hamilton, states:
"The situation in Iraq is grave and deteriorating. There is no path that can guarantee success, but
the prospects can be improved. In this report, we make a number of recommendations for actions
to be taken in Iraq, the United States, and the region. Our most important recommendations call
for new and enhanced diplomatic and political efforts in Iraq and the region, and a change in the
primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq that will enable the United States to begin to move its
combat forces out of Iraq responsibly. We believe that these two recommendations are equally
important and reinforce one another." (Iraq Study Group Report: Executive Summary.)
"The primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting the Iraqi army,
which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations. By the first quarter of 2008,
subject to unexpected developments in the security situation on the ground, all combat brigades
not necessary for force protection could be out of Iraq." (Iraq Study Group Report: Executive
Summary.)
"The United States must not make an open ended commitment to keep large numbers of
American troops deployed in Iraq." (Iraq Study Group Report: Executive Summary.)
WHEREAS, "Despite a massive effort, stability in Iraq remains elusive and the situation
is deteriorating. The Iraqi government cannot now govern, sustain and defend itself without the
support of the United States. Iraqis have not been convinced that they must take responsibility
for their own future. Iraq's neighbors and much of the international community have not been
persuaded to play an active and constructive role in supporting Iraq. The ability ofthe United
States to shape outcomes is diminishing. Time is running out." (Iraq Study Group Report, p.
27.)
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the City Council of the City ofPort
Townsend, on behalf of the citizens of Port Townsend, urges, consistent with the Iraq Study
Group Report, that the primary mission of U.S. forces in Iraq should evolve to one of supporting
the Iraqi army, which would take over primary responsibility for combat operations as soon as
possible, but no later than the first quarter of 2008, subject to unexpected developments in the
security situation on the ground, all combat brigades not necessary for force protection should be
out ofIraq; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City Council of Port Townsend, recognizing
that the stability ofIraq is crucial to the security of the citizens of Port Townsend and to all
Americans, urges the United States government to provide the people ofIraq with all necessary
non-military material aid as shall be necessary for the security ofIraq's citizens and for the
rebuilding of Iraq; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the financial resources used to prosecute the war
be redirected to address the urgent needs of America's communities and the most vulnerable portions of our population, including health, education, and homeland security; and
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a suitable copy of this resolution shall be sent to
George W. Bush, President of the United States, and the members of the Washington
Congressional delegation.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City ofPort Townsend at a special business
meeting thereof, held this twentieth day of February 2007.
\J~\ ~
Mark Welch, Mayor
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Attest:
Approved as to form:
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City Clerk
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John P. Watts
City Attorney
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Resolution 07-008