From:      David Krieger dkrieger@napf.org
Sent:       Thu, 06 Mar 2003 15:20:23 -0800
Subject:  Open Letter to Colin Powell

AN OPEN LETTER TO SECRETARY OF STATE COLIN POWELL
NOW IS THE TIME TO RESIGN IN PROTEST

Dear Secretary Powell:

Your country has never needed you more than it needs you now.

As a soldier, you know the pain and suffering that war brings. You also
know that war brings consequences that may be uncontrollable.

In the war that is being threatened against Iraq the consequences have not
been well considered. It is predictable, though, that among the
consequences will be the undermining of the security of the people of the
United States by increasing the terrorism directed at our country and its
citizens.

Wars do not bring peace and, as you know, they must never be undertaken
without legitimacy, support and a belief in the absolute necessity of
sacrificing lives for a transcending purpose.

A war against Iraq lacks legitimacy in the eyes of the world and has failed
to get the support of key US allies. Never before in history have so many
people raised their voices in protest to a threatened war.

These protests, including those from longtime and staunch US allies, come
from all sectors of society and from all parts of the world.

Despite the inducements we have offered and the threats we have made, few
of our allies support the US push for war.

The Bush administration has failed to make the case for a war against Iraq,
and proceeding to war will drive a terrible wedge through our nation.

Resolution 1441 does not authorize war against Iraq. Should the United
States proceed to war against Iraq the United States will be acting
illegally, in violation of the United Nations Charter and Article VI(2) of
the United States Constitution.

With every report by Chief UN Weapons Inspector Hans Blix of increased
cooperation and disarmament by Iraq, the Bush administration has
obstinately become more belligerent in its threats of war.

In a war against Iraq there can be no victory nor glory for our
military. We will kill and maim the innocent. We will cut short the lives
of our youth and theirs. We will have illegally exercised the rule of

force over the force of law.

This need not be. But when the government of the most powerful nation in
the world dismisses the protests of its own citizens and will not listen to
its allies or follow the dictates of international law, few options remain.

You are in a position to influence the course of events. You are respected
by the American people and throughout the world as a voice of reason,
temperance and experience.

We urge you to follow your conscience and resign your office in protest of
this war.

The American people will rally behind you, and an illegal and immoral war
can be stopped before it begins.

Please act with the urgency that the current situation demands.


David Krieger
President, Nuclear Age Peace Foundation


David Krieger, President
Nuclear Age Peace Foundation
PMB 121, 1187 Coast Village Road, Suite 1
Santa Barbara, CA 93108-2794
Web site: http://www.wagingpeace.org