 The U.S. House of Representatives is
considering a new resolution that could effectively demand a blockade
against Iran -- an act that would be widely seen as an act of war and
could invite Iranian retaliation, possibly leading us into a shooting
war.
Over the last three weeks, 77 House
Democrats and 92 Republicans have agreed to cosponsor this resolution,
but we think many do not realize its dangerous implications.
This resolution (H. Con. Res. 362) was
introduced by Representative Gary Ackerman. The most alarming provision
"demands that the President initiate an international effort to
immediately and dramatically increase the economic, political, and
diplomatic pressure on Iran to verifiably suspend its nuclear
enrichment activities by, inter alia, prohibiting the export to Iran of
all refined petroleum products; imposing stringent inspection
requirements on all persons, vehicles, ships, planes, trains, and cargo
entering or departing Iran; and prohibiting the international movement
of all Iranian officials not involved in negotiating the suspension of
Iran's nuclear program."
Such a blockade imposed
without United Nations authority (which the resolution does not call
for) would be seen as an act of war. Congressional sources say
the bill might first go to committee, which gives us a little more time
to pressure our representatives. But whether or not it goes first to
committee, or directly to the floor of the House, action on H. Con.
Res. 362 is needed now.We urge you to ask your representative not to support this dangerous step toward war with Iran.
Congressional leaders seem to have
assumed that there would be little opposition to this punitive measure
against Iran, and they have put it on a fast track to passage. But due
to the threat of war, many organizations and reasonable members of
Congress are working overtime to stop this bill. Won't you join them?
Please take action now -- ask your representative to oppose this dangerous path that could lead directly to war with Iran.
You can find the full text of the resolution and list of co-sponsors here:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.CON.RES.362:
Yours,
Robert Naiman and Mike Lynn
Co-Conveners, UFPJ's Iran Working Group | 
