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[ Presenting plain-text part of multi-format email ] <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTL0GbaOL7ze/> EPIC Iraq Alert - 10/2/02 <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> In This Issue: <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 1> White House and House of Representatives Reach Deal on Iraq Resolution <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 2> Congress IS Feeling the Pressure - ER Lobby Day Report <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 3> National and International Actions against this War <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 4> Iraq Surrenders to UN demand for Renewed Weapons Inspections <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 5> Congress Expected to begin Formal Debate on Iraq TODAY <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 6> Members of Congress visit Iraq <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 7> Call for Congressional Integrity on Iraq Action <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <outbind://107-00000000F22831B5E529BE11B73666D5B8FDC87244195700/#ttlHead 8> Points of Discussion <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> Featured Links: <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNznbaOL7ze/> More about EPIC <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNzobaOL7ze/> Find protests. Register your demonstration <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNzpbaOL7ze/> See latest headlines on Iraq <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> . <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNzqbaOL7ze/> Support EPIC's work online <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> White House and House of Representatives Reach Deal on Iraq Resolution This morning, the White House and leadership of the House agreed on text of a war resolution authorizing force against Iraq. The new resolution puts some limits on Bush and has a few provisions that he consult with Congress, but it still states that the President is "authorized to use the Armed Forces of the United States as he determines necessary." The new resolution may appease many in Congress who were sitting on the fence before, making it more likely they would vote YES on the war resolution. This means we have to STEP UP THE PRESSURE EVEN MORE and ensure Representatives vote against ANY war resolution. Many of you have already made calls, wrote letters or met with your Congressional offices. This effort has made a difference, overwhelming most offices with waves of anti-war sentiment. However, now that the war resolution has actual language and is circulating in the Congress WE IMPLORE YOU TO KEEP CALLING! And call five friends, and get them to call as well. WE CANNOT TAKE THE PRESSURE OFF CONGRESS! We need to ensure that members know they have political support to take a stand against this election-time bid to preemptively strike Iraq. Make it clear that they will not be representing their constituents if they vote for the war resolution, even with minor compromises in the language. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNymbaOL7ze/> Read the text of the new Resolution Congress IS Feeling the Pressure - ER Lobby Day Report Coming from 23 states across the country, 140 concerned citizens came to Washington, DC to participate in Monday's Emergency Lobby Day. Advocates met with 102 Congressional offices and urged them to vote against a war resolution on Iraq. Lobbyists reported a mixed picture of Representatives and Senators, many afraid to stand against a war resolution despite a majority of constituent pressure to oppose it. Congressional offices reported getting thousands of letters, emails, faxes and calls in opposition to a war on Iraq. Continued pressure is now more important than ever. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNytbaOL7ze/> Contact your members of Congress National and International Actions against this War National and global opposition to a war on Iraq has culminated in a variety of protests, sit-ins and vigils. Over the weekend, 350,000 people in the U.K. protested Tony Blair's support for war on Iraq. The demonstration in London was the largest anti-war action in the nation since the Vietnam War. Thousands of concerned people also protested in Spain, Italy and Australia over the weekend. In the U.S., citizens held congressional sit-ins across the nation in Washington State, Minnesota, Illinois, New Mexico and elsewhere. Thousands also demonstrated against the planned war in Washington, DC as well as Missouri, Colorado, Texas and California among other states. If you plan to hold a demonstration, you may list it at www.protest.net or alert epicmedia@igc.org to specific actions you might take. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNyvbaOL7ze/> See our Most Recent Alert for Action Ideas Iraq Surrenders to UN demand for Renewed Weapons Inspections After two days of talks, Iraq agreed Tuesday to a plan for the return of U.N. weapons inspectors for the first time in nearly four years, but the deal ignores U.S. demands for unrestricted access to Saddam Hussein's palaces and other contested sites. Chief U.N. inspector Hans Blix said an advance team of inspectors could be in Iraq in two weeks if it gets the go-ahead from the U.N. Security Council. But clashing with Blix, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said hours later that the search for hidden arsenals in Iraq should be held up until the Security Council adopts tough new rules. However, Russia, France, China and other Security Council Members oppose any new resolution that authorizes the use of force. That opposition in the Security Council may be in jeopardy if Bush gains Congressional approval for a unilateral preemptive strike on Iraq. Opposition to preemptive war plans in Congress and in the Security Council did appear to have an effect, if only rhetorically. According to the New York Times: "President Bush seemed to soften his tone today about military action against Iraq, saying he was open to compromises with Congress and the United Nations as long as both passed 'tough' resolutions that did not tie his hands if Saddam Hussein refuses to disarm." (10/2/02) <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNyxbaOL7ze/> "Bush Appears to be Soften Tone on Iraq" (New York Times, 10/2/02) Registration may be required. Congress Expected to begin Formal Debate on Iraq TODAY In the House, the International Relations Committee (HIRC) is scheduled to "mark up" the war resolution today at 4:30 PM EST. "Mark up" is the committee process analyzing a piece of legislation section by section and making changes. Chaired by Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL), HIRC mark-up may go through Thursday. You can watch a live web cast of the meeting by following the link below to the House International Relations Committee homepage. The Senate is also scheduled today to begin a lengthy floor debate. However, that is now in doubt. Sen. Robert Bryd (D-WV) has hinted that he will filibuster the President's war resolution. (A filibuster is a tactic used by a dissenting minority to delay a vote.) EPIC is encouraging other Senators to back Sen. Bryd. Majority Leader Daschle said "there will be other substitutes and other amendments that we will consider." Earlier this week, Sens. Chuck Hagel (R-NB) and Richard Lugar (R-IN) urged Bush to back a proposal made by Lugar and Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Joseph Biden (D-DE). That resolution narrows the goal of American military action in Iraq to the enforcement of disarmament, and puts more of an emphasis on assuring - but not requiring - that any use of force have multinational support. Bush objected to the Lugar-Biden resolution, claiming that it would 'tie his hands.' EPIC opposes congressional authorization for a preemptive invasion of Iraq despite the slightly more limiting language of the Lugar-Biden proposal. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNyDbaOL7ze/> House of Representatives International Relations Committee homepage: Members of Congress visit Iraq Several members of Congress have visited Iraq in recent weeks in an attempt to bring about a diplomatic solution to the crisis. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV), Rep. David Bonior (D-MI), Rep. Jim McDermott (D-WA) and Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) traveled to Iraq to witness the humanitarian crisis and encourage diplomatic efforts. Each Representative has been profoundly affected by their visit to Iraq and is now urging a diplomatic solution. The Congressmen have been receiving criticism for their trip; please contact their offices and thank them for their courage. And urge your Representative to see for him or herself the real situation in Iraq. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNyTbaOL7ze/> See story in ABC News Call for Congressional Integrity on Iraq Action According to the latest word from Capitol Hill, the war resolution will be voted on in both the House and Senate some time near the middle of NEXT WEEK. A postponement of that vote appears increasingly unlikely. Create the political support to allow your members of congress to vote against the President if they're Republicans and against their leadership if they are Democrats. For example, encourage religious leaders, business leaders, labor unions, and other prominent public figures to make public statements against a pre-emptive war in Iraq. If such statements have already been made, help publicize them in letters to the editor of your local papers and fax copies to your reps. in Washington. For fax numbers, go to www.congress.org. Contact both of your Senators and your Representative. Call the Congressional Switchboard at 202-224-3121 and ask to be transferred to the appropriate office. You can find out relevant information on members of congress by visiting www.congress.org or by checking out EPIC's advocate's toolbox (see link below) which contains a congressional record of how each Congressperson has voted in the past on Iraq issues. After you've contacted your elected officials, consider also calling Congressional Leaders like Reps Gephardt and Hastert and Senators Daschle and Lott. Call the chairs of important committees like Sen. Biden who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and Sen. Levin who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee. While you may not be their constituent, they are in leadership roles and therefore must answer to all citizens. Senate Majority Leader Senator Tom Daschle (D-SD) (202) 224-2321 Senate Minority Leader Senator Trent Lott (R-MS) (202) 224-6253 House Minority Leader Rep. Richard Gephardt (D-MO) (202) 225-2671 Speaker of the House Rep. J.Dennis Hastert (R-IL) (202) 225-2976 Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee Senator Carl Levin (D-MI) (202) 224-6221 Chair of the House Armed Service Committee Rep. Bob Stump (R-AZ) (202) 225-4576 Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Senator Joseph Birden (D-DE) (202) 224-5042 Chair of the House International House Relations Committee Rep. Henry Hyde (R-IL) (202) 225-4561 <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNyZbaOL7ze/> Visit the Advocate's Toolbox Points of Discussion Please stay tuned for further analysis and information on the escalating moves to invade Iraq. Check out our website for soon-to-be posted Talking Points and action ideas. <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTNy3baOL7ze/> For compelling arguments from right, left and center opposing a war on Iraq <http://statik.tfmb.net/images/pixel.gif> <http://click.topica.com/naaayyEaaTLZ4baOL7ze/> The Education for Peace in Iraq Center 1101 Pennsylvania Avenue SE Washington D.C. 20003 USA Tel. 202.543.6176 - Fax 202.543.0725 www.epic-usa.org <http://click.topica.com/maaayyEaaTLZ3baOL7ze/> _______________________________________________ Sent via the discussion list of the Campaign Against Sanctions on Iraq. 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