05/17/12
Dear Brian,
It has been a whirlwind week on Iran policy as the U.S. gears up for new talks with Iran, and I want to give you all the important details from Capitol Hill.
We accomplished a number of goals: we got protections for the Persepolis Tablets, there will be votes to make clear there is no authorization for war with Iran and to support diplomacy, and there was a rejection of shifting the redline for war and placing a “zero enrichment” ultimatum on U.S.-Iran talks.
Jamal Abdi NIAC
https://secure3.convio.net/niac/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=201
05/16/12
"A moving story, beautifully told. Brian Appleton has painted for us an exquisite portrait of the disappearing multi-ethnic ...society of the Middle East. He captures a reality that unfortunately threatens to vanish under the forces of intolerance and the drive for uniformity."
John W. Limbert, Distinguished Professor of International Affairs at the U.S. Naval Academy.
Ambassador, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Iran in the
State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs.
http://news.yahoo.com/iran-official-says-talks-iaea-good-environment-constructive-081545405.html
VIENNA (Reuters) - Iran and the U.N. nuclear watchdog ended two days of talks on Tuesday by agreeing to meet again next week, just two days before Tehran resumes negotiations with world powers concerned it may be seeking to develop atomic bomb capability.
While both sides were upbeat about the discussions, which will continue on Monday, there was no word on whether the U.N. agency had made progress towards one of its main aims - to secure access to a suspect military site near Tehran.
05/15/12
Dear Brian,
Tell your Representative to support amendments to the NDAA that call for an expedited US military withdrawal from Afghanistan, no war with Iran, and an end to "signature" drone strikes.
Take Action
This week, the House is considering the National Defense Authorization Act. Amendments will be offered to expedite military withdrawal from Afghanistan, to oppose war with Iran, to cut the military budget, and to end "signature" drone strikes that target people without knowing who will be killed.
Call your Representative in the House and urge him or her to support amendments to expedite Afghanistan withdrawal, prevent war with Iran, and prohibit "signature" drone strikes.
It is likely that calling your Representative will have the most impact at this time. So if you can call, please do. FCNL has provided a toll-free number to reach the Capitol Switchboard: 1-877-429-0678. When you reach the Switchboard, ask to be transferred to your Rep's office.
If you're not able to call this time, you can write to your Representative using this link:
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/ndaa2013
At this writing, we don't know for sure which amendments will be allowed for consideration on the floor this week, and we might not find this out until shortly before the amendments are considered. But it is very likely that amendments offered by Rep. Adam Smith, by Reps. Jim McGovern and Walter Jones, and by Rep. Barbara Lee will be allowed that would press the President to expedite U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Representative John Conyers is offering an amendment that would push back against the drive for war with Iran. The amendment, offered jointly with Rep. Ron Paul and Rep. Walter Jones, would make explicit that nothing in the bill authorizes the use of force.
Rep. Conyers is also offering amendments that would cut the military budget by cutting spending on the F-35, by moving ahead with retirement of 18 Global Hawk drones, by delaying or canceling the new strategic bomber.
Representative Dennis Kucinich, supported by Rep. Conyers, is offering an amendment [1] that would prohibit the military from carrying out drone strikes against unidentified targets. Senior U.S. officials have expressed concern that such "signature strikes" greatly increase the risk of civilian casualties. Rep. Kucinich and Rep. Conyers are also circulating a letter [2] to the Administration demanding that the Administration provide information to Congress about civilian casualties from drone strikes, how drone strikes are targeted, and how innocent victims of drone strikes are compensated.
You can urge your Representative to support initiatives to end the war in Afghanistan, stop war with Iran, and end "signature" drone strikes by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 1-877-429-0678. Or you can write them using this link:
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/ndaa2013
Thank you for all you do to help bring about a more just foreign policy,
Robert Naiman, Chelsea Mozen, Sarah Burns and Megan Iorio
Just Foreign Policy
Please support our work. Donate for a Just Foreign Policy.
http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/donate
References:
1. "Kucinich/Conyers amendment to NDAA: Prohibit conduct of drone strikes on unidentified targets," http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1223
2. "Kucinich/Conyers: Ensure Transparency and Accountability In The U.S. Combat Drone Program," http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/node/1219
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