The Way Forward - NETWORK's Proposals for Peace in Iraq

July 30, 2007

Current Situation

• Violence in Iraq continues with no end in sight. In fact, there has been an escalation in death and violence in some sectors as the U.S. increases its troop presence on the ground.
• U.S. and Iraqi military and government officials say that the solution to the current situation is not a military solution but rather a political one.
• The Iraqi economy continues to be moribund with unemployment estimated between 40 and 60 percent across the country.
• The Iraq Ministries continue to be locked in partisan/sectarian strife and are unable to provide services to their people. Electricity and potable water continue in short supply. There is no effective banking system or postal service. Healthcare is not readily available because of the shortage of doctors and nurses, as well as the demand to respond to the needs of the victims of violence.
• The U.S. Congress wishes to find a way to stop the bloodshed and end the occupation. The Iraq Study Group Report, while almost a year old, still contains important recommendations including calling on the Administration to engage in regional diplomacy and improving the Iraqi economy.

NETWORK urges the Administration and Congress to work intensely to end the violence and the occupation.

NETWORK recommends the following as THE WAY FORWARD:

• The UNITED STATES needs to make clear that it does not intend to have permanent military bases in Iraq or to control the Iraqi oil. The U.S. must also begin to end the occupation in the near future.
• IRAQI PEACE CONFERENCE: Only through a meeting of all factions in Iraq can there be a negotiated settlement to the civil war. This Peace Conference should be encouraged by the U.S. and hosted by the UN or other international body utilizing the services of skilled negotiators who know the reality of the Middle East.
• REGIONAL DIPLOMACY must be continued by the United States and all of the countries in the region. It is in all nations’ interests that the civil war be ended and peace negotiated.
• ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT is the only realistic way forward. Through local development and micro enterprise it will be possible for the Iraqis to reclaim their country. The U.S. should fund these efforts.
• RECONCILIATION will only be possible when Iraqis work together in their neighborhoods across sectarian lines. Organizations such as the Community Action Programs have proven effectiveness and should be fully funded by the United States.
• Numbers of REFUGEES and INTERNALLY DISPLACED persons are at crisis levels. The United States needs to fully fund the UNHCR and NGO response to this extreme dislocation of an estimated 18 to 20 percent of the Iraqi population. Additionally, the U.S. should speedily accept Iraqi Refugees into this country, especially those who are in danger because they have worked with the U.S. forces since the invasion.