Andrews and Win Without War continue anti-war campaign

By Deirdre Fulton

WASHINGTON – Win Without War, the national anti-war coalition headed by former
Maine Rep. Tom Andrews, intends to continue expressing its steadfast opposition to the Bush doctrine of pre-emptive attack, despite the seeming unavoidability of war with Iraq.

"The United States is woefully unprepared for what could easily become a humanitarian catastrophe," Andrews said Wednesday at a press conference where he also emphasized the potential negative economic consequences of a war. "Americans will now be required to shoulder the burden of this unnecessary war - a price that will drive up our already skyrocketing deficit and put yet more pressure on our fragile economy."

In response to the war, the coalition announced a three-pronged plan of action that included a candlelight vigil on the first night of military action, support for American troops and the launch on Friday of a "Citizen's Declaration" that will attempt to indicate worldwide public opposition to war.

"You can support the warrior at the same time you oppose the war," said former Rep. Bob Edgar, a Pennsylvania Democrat who is now general secretary of the National Council of Churches. The coalition is advocating the use of "Operation Dear Abby," a service that sends supportive messages from home to troops overseas. Win Without War will link to the service on its Website.

"It's important to hear from the folks at home," Edgar said.

The coalition will also actively oppose President Bush's proposal to cut the Veterans Administration budget by billions of dollars, Andrews said. He described it as "outrageous" to "order our men and women in uniform into harm's way while simultaneously cutting the programs and services that they need and deserve," referring to hospital and education services that stand to be affected by cuts.

Andrews also congratulated Maine's legislature, along with other state and local governments, for weighing in on the national war debate. Anti-war resolutions like that considered by the Maine legislature, which was ultimately rejected by a single vote, contributed tremendous momentum to the cause, Andrews said. He called them "fine examples of democracy."

"We need to build on that momentum," Andrews said. "There is a very, very powerful force out there that we are going to tap and cultivate."

He encouraged the public to sign the Citizen's Declaration that will be available through the Websites and communications systems of the almost 40 Win Without War member organizations including the National Organization for Women (NOW), The American Friends Service Committee and Oxfam America.

The coalition hopes the declaration will affirm the opposition of the international community to the Bush administration's first-strike doctrine.

"We are committed to burying this doctrine in Iraq," Andrews said, adding that he hoped the invasion would end quickly and with a minimal loss of life.

Andrews and other group leaders who were at the press conference stressed their
concern about post-war Iraq, saying the United States is "grossly underprepared" to give humanitarian aid - food, clothing and medical care, among other things.

Published in The Kennebec Journal and The Morning Sentinel, in Maine.