Give Weapons Inspectors More Time: 1,650 People Sign Petition
Media Advisory from the Council for a Livable World
For Immediate Release - January 28, 2003
Contact: John Isaacs 202-546-0795 ext.131
WASHINGTON - In anticipation of the President’s State of the Union Address expected to rally support for a possible invasion of Iraq, the Council for a Livable World has today released a petition to President Bush urging restraint against rushing into a countdown to war.
The petition, signed by more than 1,600 citizens across the country, advocates that United Nations weapons inspectors currently in Iraq be given ample time to complete their work. According to Mr. Blix’s report, the inspectors have found no “smoking gun” evidence of Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
The letter also urges the President to heed the diplomatic advice of Great Britain, France, and Russia, among others, to permit inspectors to continue their work.
John Isaacs, President of Council for a Livable World which circulated the petition, argues, “The findings of Mr. Blix’s report strongly suggest that more time is needed to complete the inspections. A decision on the use of military force against Iraq is therefore premature and potentially harmful to the United States and world community.”
The Council believes that the best chance to end the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and to defeat global terrorism is through international institutions whose actions bring to bear the credibility, strength and effectiveness of the whole world community, and ultimately make enforceable the rule of law and the implementation of agreements.