Bart Stupak: “we are being asked to commit our young servicemen and women to a possible war in Iraq. It is important for everyone to…”

“we are being asked to commit our young servicemen and women to a possible war in Iraq. It is important for everyone to understand the gravity of this vote and the legal, ethical and moral grounds for such a grave commitment of U.S. lives and resources. To date, I have received nearly 900 communications opposed to the United States acting unilaterally against Iraq and approximately 16 communications in support of the President's position. No matter what the result of the vote on each proposed resolution, I am confident that every Member will rally around our brave young servicemen and women if or when they are committed to hostile action in Iraq or anywhere else in the world. Over the past few weeks, I have attended classified briefings on Capitol Hill, at the Pentagon, and with the President. In reflecting upon the views, opinions, and concerns expressed by my constituents, and after a thorough review of international law, it is clear that war with another country should only be declared if your country is directly attacked; if another nation is an accomplice in the attack on your country; if there is an immediate pending attack on your country; and, finally, if there is defiance of international law in the community. To rush headlong into war without world support under any one of these four conditions violates every principle and every ideal on which this great Nation is founded and on which a free and democratic world exists.”