Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council, meeting in Burlington, VT, June 11-14, 2004, calls upon the United States government to grant legal rights to all detainees at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base in Cuba in accordance with international law and the Geneva Conventions; and urges the U.S. government to allow visitations to the detainees by neutral parties such as The International Red Cross, and by appropriate religious groups; and be it further

Resolved, That Council shares the deep concerns of many Americans and others over the spiral of violence in Iraq, the abhorrent torture and abuse of prisoners such as at Abu Graib, the flouting of legal rights and the dismissive use of the Geneva Conventions, and urges the U.S. government to conduct itself in all aspects of the conflict with the highest standards of human rights and regard for due process which are cherished values of our nation and when disregarded diminish credibility of the U.S. in the world; and be it further

Resolved, That Council urge that the U.S. move swiftly to transfer authority in Iraq to the new Iraqi government, and seek alternative military forces to replace the U.S. military apparatus so as to reduce tensions, minimize violence, and blunt growing insurgencies; and be it further

Resolved, That Council urges the U.S. to re-engage the peace process (in conjunction with the need for full consultation with the Palestinians, Israelis and others), in the Israeli/Palestinian conflict, recognizing that a just resolution of the conflict that assures Israel’s security and Palestinian sovereignty would be the single most significant contribution to improving relations with the peoples of the Arab world and winning the “war on terror;” and be it further

Resolved, That Council implores the U.S. to formulate a foreign policy aimed at human development, alleviation of poverty and respect for cultural and religious differences so that the current wave of anti-American sentiment in the Middle East and many parts of the world might be lessened and the nation’s commitment to justice and peace restored; and be it further

Resolved, That the Council deplores the positions taken by President Bush to concede some West Bank settlements to Israel and negates the right of return of Palestinian refugees, and urges the President to support negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis to achieve a mutually acceptable resolution of these issues based on relevant United Nations Security Council resolutions.