Resolves of the Executive Council

Resolved, That the Executive Council meeting in Denver, Colorado, February 12-15, 1999, responding to the request of the Presiding Bishop, supports a new United Nations led effort to resolve through peaceful measures the outstanding issues concerning Iraq; and be it further

Resolved, That a UN review affirm prior Security Council resolutions related to removing weapons of mass destruction from Iraq and note especially UNSC resolution 687 which says "the disarmament actions ordered by the resolution to be taken by Iraq represent steps toward the goal of establishing in the Middle East a zone free from weapons of mass destruction and all missiles for their delivery and the objective of a global ban on chemical weapons"; and be it further

Resolved, That the option of offensive military strikes against Iraq be set aside until this diplomatic effort has been exhaustively reviewed including evaluation of the effectiveness of military action in accomplishing long term goals of ensuring Iraq's compliance with international law within the comity of nations; and be it further

Resolved, That the current sanctions imposed on Iraq be scrutinized carefully in accordance with World Council of Churches criteria on sanctions with the purpose to end those measures which inflict greater harm on the civilian population using the principle that "the good achieved must not be exceeded by anticipated harm (proportionality)"; and be it further

Resolved, That as a first step toward alleviating the humanitarian crisis in Iraq all sanctions relating to health and nutrition sectors be lifted; and be it further

Resolved, That copies of this resolution be sent to the governments of the United States and Iraq, the Secretary General of the United Nations and other appropriate parties.