Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
From: "George Getz" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Subject: Libertarian statement on Iraq invasion
Date: Thu, 20 Mar 2003 15:38:51 -0500
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NEWS FROM THE LIBERTARIAN PARTY
2600 Virginia Avenue, NW, Suite 100
Washington DC 20037
World Wide Web: http://www.LP.org
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For release: March 20, 2003
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For additional information:
George Getz, Communications Director
Phone: (202) 333-0008 ext. 222
E-Mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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Libertarians express concern for U.S. troops
and urge quick end to war in Iraq
WASHINGTON, DC - Statement by Geoffrey Neale, national chairman of the
Libertarian Party, in response to the U.S. invasion of Iraq:
On behalf of the Libertarian Party, I wish to express our deep concern
for the U.S. troops currently engaged in war in Iraq, and urge the
government to end the conflict quickly and with as few casualties as
possible.
Though it is difficult for Americans who have never fought in battle to
imagine a soldier's fear and bravery, it is easy to imagine the anguish
that every family will feel for their sons and daughters who never
return.
For that reason it is essential that the government make every effort
to minimize casualties on both sides in this conflict.
Libertarians believe that all Americans should give moral support to
our troops, and we urge those who are opposed to the war not to blame
soldiers for the misjudgments of politicians.
Sadly, this war may extract horrific costs not only from governments
and soldiers but from American society. More terrorist acts may yet be
committed inside our borders; relationships with our friends and allies
could be forever diminished; and the financial costs of war could be
catastrophic to an already stumbling economy.
Because Libertarians believe in limited, constitutional government, we
are disappointed that President Bush declined to seek a formal
declaration of war as clearly required by Article I, Section 8 of that
document. By acquiescing to the president, Congress has abdicated its
responsibility as well.
The Libertarian Party also urges the administration to abandon its
plans for an occupation of Iraq - a policy that would further inflame
anti-American sentiment in the region without benefiting the United
States in any way.
Though Mr. Bush promises that democracy will soon sprout from
dictatorship in Iraq, the results of U.S. military involvement in
Panama, Haiti, Kuwait, Afghanistan and other nations indicates that
such promises are far easier to make than they are to keep.
Finally, we would remind the nation that the traditional American
values of peace, freedom, and military non-intervention have served
this country well in the past and should be embraced again.
To that end, we hope that our political leaders can summon the wisdom
to bring our armed forces home from Iraq.
