Conference Asks: Which Way to Peace in Iraq?

Conference Asks: Which Way to Peace in Iraq?

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Newark, New Jersey USA

A program titled "Which Way to Peace in Iraq?" was presented in Newark, NJ on October 18, 2008. The program looked at two possible answers: the victory of the occupation or the victory of the Iraqi national resistance. The significance of the impending presidential election was also discussed.

All speakers agreed that the struggle of the Iraqi people through their national resistance is the main force to end the war and the occupation. The struggle of the people in the United States to end the war and the occupation is also necessary.

Many topics were presented in the speakers' program. In order to show the need for more people's education about the war copies of a blank map of the Middle East were passed out. Participants were asked to find Iraq, and to name other countries on the map. Few could name more than one or two countries. The audience got the point that much more education is needed to help people understand the war.

War was characterized as politics with bloodshed. Iraq has oil, something that Bush wants. The invasion of Iraq was just the way US politics usually operates but this time with bloodshed. It was schoolyard bully tactics at an international level. The solution to the aggression is the struggle of the Iraqi people to end the occupation, just as the answer to racist oppression in the United States is the people's struggle.

Another speaker said the war began not in 2003 but in 1991. It started because Iraq was a country that had taken control of its own destiny. It had a government that was accepted by the people as legitimate. The Iraqi Revolution of 1958 ended British domination of the country and established political independence. In 1972 Iraq nationalized its own oil. That established economic independence and full sovereignty. Imperialism attacked Iraq to destroy its sovereignty and return control to the oil companies that were there in 1972.

He said the occupation needs a puppet government to run Iraq. The US cannot leave 150,000 soldiers there indefinitely. The puppet only governs the Green Zone, a few square miles in Baghdad. It is only a patchwork of sectarian and ethnic parties.

They are in constant rivalry with each other. They cannot agree on sharing the country's oil wealth. They cannot agree on who gets what territory. They cannot restore the economy. Over a million Iraqis are dead because of the occupation. Many millions more have been driven from their homes. Bush is not on the path to victory as he claims. There is no way he can get there.

A speaker said the Iraqi resistance is in good shape. More than forty groups have joined behind the Supreme Command for Jihad and Liberation. Two other important liberation fronts are in communication with it. They all coordinate their operations. The Iraqi resistance is not responsible for atrocities against civilians. Sectarian groups and occupation agents are responsible instead. Al Qaeda does not play a large part. It is sectarian and has harmed the resistance.

Military attacks on the occupation remain at a high level. However, it is the puppet armed forces that take the brunt. US armed forces have mostly stayed out of combat, which is the real reason US casualties are lower.

A speaker said the outcome of the election will not determine whether or not the war ends soon. What will determine the end of the war is first, the resistance of the people in Iraq, and second the resistance of the people in the United States.

There are a number of third parties running candidates on excellent platforms. They have been shut out of the presidential debates, which are run by representatives of the Republicans and Democrats. Since the end of World War II the United States has moved in a very deliberate way to shut out third parties.

Nonetheless the majority of voters are non-affiliated. Only a few new people check a party affiliation. He asked the question of who speaks for these voters.

He said it is clear that McCain would not just be a continuation of Bush foreign policy, he would be worse. He would escalate the war in Afghanistan and is willing to attack Iran.

Obama is a more interesting candidate because he would likely be more subject to public pressure. He opposed the war in the past but he has also voted for bills that would fund the war three and four fiscal years into the future. He says he wants to end the war in Iraq but is willing to send troops into Pakistan and escalate the number of troops in Afghanistan.

The speaker predicted an overwhelming turnout on Nov. 4 and said he thinks Obama will win. He asked the question of what we have to do after Nov. 4. To the applause of the mostly African-American audience, he said that we will treat Obama just like any other president.

As soon as possible we must have a large demonstration against the occupations, against escalation in Afghanistan, in support of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan, and against any war with Iran.

We must also move to implement resolutions of previous antiwar conferences. He said he found in heartbreaking and gut-wrenching that Bush and Cheney would be allowed to walk away from the crimes they have committed. He said that they should be not only be impeached but they should be prosecuted for their crimes. He said people should call members of the New Jersey Congressional delegation and demand they co-sponsor the 35 articles of impeachment introduced by Congressman Dennis Kucinic. What do we do with criminals, he asked: we put them in jail.

Because of time limitations workshop discussions had to be cut short. Each of the presenters gave a brief account of their topics to the body. These were: "Imperialism and the Middle East;" "The Significance of Iraq in the World Struggle Against Imperialism;" "Violence in Iraq and Violence in Our Streets;" and, "The Status of Forces Agreement and the Real US Intentions in Iraq.'

It was said that at this time the Iraqi resistance is the force that has done the most to oppose and destroy the main enemy of the people of the world, imperialism. It has done more than any other force to defeat the Bush regime. The antiwar movement must uphold and support the Iraqi resistance.

When the audience at last got its chance at participation its enthusiasm for struggle burst out. It turned into a working session on how to advance the struggle to end the war. Several participants said they had never before been to a conference that fully supported the Iraqi resistance. It was asked what could be done to raise the issue elsewhere.

A program of seven resolutions to lay out future work was adopted by acclamation. The resolutions are:

Whereas the US occupation of Iraq is unjust and its continuation harmful to the vast majority of people in all countries; therefore be it resolved that the body demands:

1. The occupation of Iraq must be ended immediately and all occupation troops be brought home.

2. Today's activity recognizes previous and ongoing activities of the people toward these ends and is a continuation of them.

3. The United States must commit to completely and unconditionally withdraw from Iraq, and open discussions with leaders of the Iraqi national resistance to arrange the timetable and logistics of its withdrawal.

4. That there be no expansion of aggression in new wars; moreover the body commits to efforts to build people's opposition to new and expanded wars.

5. We will organize a large demonstration to demand the immediate end of the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan; rigorous respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Pakistan; and that there be no aggression against Iran.

6. All members of the NJ Congressional delegation must sign on to the 35 articles of impeachment introduced by Rep. Dennis Kucinic.

7. George W. Bush and other members of his administration must be prosecuted for the crimes of aggressive war and other crimes against humanity that they have committed.