{"id":151385,"date":"2020-01-13T12:01:03","date_gmt":"2020-01-13T12:01:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/?p=151385"},"modified":"2020-01-11T08:52:46","modified_gmt":"2020-01-11T08:52:46","slug":"open-letter-to-members-of-the-u-s-congress","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/2020\/01\/open-letter-to-members-of-the-u-s-congress\/","title":{"rendered":"Open Letter to Members of the U.S. Congress"},"content":{"rendered":"

8 Jan 2020 – <\/em>This is a Letter to Members of Congress with an initial group of signatories; there are many more that have been gathered but not listed here. The letter was drafted by myself in collaboration with Noam Chomsky and Daniel Ellsberg. If you wish to add your signature, please send your name and affiliation to Vida Samiian, vidasamiian@gmail.com<\/a> who helped compose the original text, and now with the logistics of the initiative. If you agree with the argument, please do join us by adding your name. Current partial list of signatories below.<\/p>\n

The Letter was composed prior to the Iranian missile attacks on two American military bases in Iraq and before Trump made his formal statement the following day, January 8th<\/sup>. \u00a0Although his statement can is being read in many ways, including the suggestion that Trump\u2019s intention was to step back from the brink of a devastating war. I listened to Trump from my own perspective and with an attempt to hear his words as if I were an Iranian living in Iran. I found the statement belligerent, and formulated in an imperialist\/hegemonic language, avoiding a diplomatic sequel, and instead resuming the \u2018maximum pressure\u2019 approach involving threats and further intensified sanctions and other coercive moves that will bring additional suffering to the Iranian people. Perhaps, the only hopeful element was the suggestion that Trump would seek greater NATO involvement coupled with the assertion of American energy independence. This may possibly have been a geopolitical prelude to partial disengagement in the region by the United States, but more likely was telling European countries that they should bear a greater part of the economic burden of upholding Western interests In the region since they remain dependent on Middle Eastern energy to meet their needs, while the United States no longer does. In any event, the Trump moves would undoubtedly be viewed as provocative, unacceptable, and aggressive by Iranians.<\/p>\n

Among the most distasteful aspects of Trump\u2019s speech was his castigation of Barack Obama\u2019s laudable attempt to negotiate a tension-reducing agreement with Iran on its nuclear program that had the support of France, UK, as well as China, Russia, and Germany. To deride such a major breakthrough for a better future for the region, while perpetuating a war-mongering approach underscores why it continues to be so urgent for Congress to act.<\/p>\n

A new twist to the drama arises from the crash of a Ukrainian Air jet near the Tehran Airport resulting in the deaths of all 176 passengers who were visiting Iran as well as the crew, apparently the result of an Iranian surface-to-air missile attack, almost certainly a tragic mistake suggestive of the miscalculations in situations of high tension that can be the spark that starts a conflagration we call \u2018war.\u2019 It underscore the plea of the Open Letter to observe international law, rely on restorative and dialogic diplomacy, involve the UN, and\u00a0ensure in the U.S. setting that Congress is involved as constitutionally\u00a0prescribed at every stage of any decision to have recourse to international force.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

\u00a0January 7, 2019<\/strong><\/p>\n

To Members of Congress:<\/strong><\/p>\n

The unlawful and provocative assassination of Iran\u2019s top general, Qasem Soleimani, has already given rise to an escalating spiral of lethal events. The greatest risks are to stumble escalating into a devastating war in the Middle East with grave consequences for the peoples of Iran and Iraq and likely across the region. Such a war would have disastrous effects for this country, for the region and the world. It is certain to do further harm to the reputation of the United States, which already is perceived in much of the world as an irresponsible and criminal political actor in the region, using military force in ways that have made already difficult situations catastrophic by taking various dangerous military, economic and quasi-diplomatic initiatives misleadingly presented as \u201cmaximum pressure.\u201d<\/p>\n

It is imperative for the well-being of our country, and indeed the world, that the Congress of the United States fulfill its most solemn constitutional responsibility, and impose effective restraints on the war-making actions of this impeached president. This is a moment when partisan politics should be put aside, not only for the sake of national interests but for the benefit of humanity \u2013 -we should realize that these unilateral actions by the United States have put the entire world at risk. It is also a moment when Republicans as well as Democrats must stand up for a sane foreign policy, and for diplomacy and peace instead of aggression and war, and fulfill their duties as Members of Congress.<\/p>\n

The Iranian people have endured decades of economic warfare and covert forms of intervention by the US and its allies. Since the revolution of 1979 in Iran and the end of a mutually beneficial relationship between the US and Iran\u2019s autocratic leader, the Shah, the US has imposed numerous sanctions on Iran under various guises, threatened it with war and inflicted pain and suffering on its people. What is desperately needed with respect to Iran is not any further recourse to coercive<\/u> diplomacy based on escalating threats, crippling sanctions, and tit-for-tat military actions. What is urgently needed is an immediate shift to restorative<\/u> diplomacy based on mutual respect for international and domestic law, with the objective of peace, stability, and cooperation.<\/p>\n

From all that we now know, General Soleimani had come to Iraq without stealth on a commercial plane. \u00a0He came to Iraq on a diplomatic peacemaking mission at the invitation of the Baghdad Government, and with a meeting scheduled on the following day with the Prime Minister that was part of an ongoing effort to seek a lessening of tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia. In reaction to major violations of its sovereignty, the Iraqi Parliament has voted to expel U.S. troops from their country. In place of what seemed a promising regional initiative the assassination of General Soleimani has resulted in an intensification of conflict, further massive suffering, and the likelihood of dangerous escalation.<\/p>\n

We call on Congress to act with urgency to stem this slide toward war and regional chaos.<\/p>\n

We urge you to consider imposing ironclad restraints on the authority of the President to make any further use of international force without a clear and definite authorization by the U.S. Congress, which itself should respect the relevant prohibitions of international law and the provisions and procedures of the UN Charter.<\/p>\n

Respectfully yours,<\/strong><\/p>\n

Richard Falk – Albert G. Milbank Professor Emeritus of International Law, Princeton University. Research Fellow, Orfalea Center of Global Studies<\/p>\n

Noam Chomsky – Laureate Professor of Linguistics, Agnese Nelms Haury Chair University of Arizona<\/p>\n

Daniel Ellsberg – Former Official of State & Defense Department Whistleblower, Pentagon Papers<\/p>\n

Medea Benjamin – Founder, Code Pink Author<\/p>\n

Peter Kuznitz – Professor of History Director, Institute of Nuclear Studies American University<\/p>\n

Biljana Vankovska \u2013 Professor University of Skopje, Macedonia<\/p>\n

Bogdan Bogdanov – Professor University of Skopje, Macedonia<\/p>\n

Phyllis Bennis – Institute for Policy Studies and Jewish Voice for Peace Board Member<\/p>\n

Professor Hilal Elver – Research Fellow, University of California-Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Professor Rabab Abdulhadi – Director and Senior Scholar Arab and Muslim Ethnicities and Diaspora Studies San Francisco State University<\/p>\n

Dr. Khaled Abou El Fadl – Omar and Azmeralda Alfi Distinguished Professor of Law UCLA School of Law<\/p>\n

Olga Abella – Emeritus Professor of English Eastern Illinois University<\/p>\n

Suzanne Adely – National Lawyers Guild International Association of Democratic Lawyers<\/p>\n

Walid Afifi – Professor of Communication University of California Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Kevin B. Anderson – University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Mohammad Azadpur – Professor of Philosophy San Francisco State University<\/p>\n

Dr. Hatem Bazian – UC Berkeley and Zaytuna College<\/p>\n

Vincent Stanley – Author, Poet<\/p>\n

Eileen Boris – Hull Professor and Distinguished Professor Department of Feminist Studies Professor of History, Black Studies and Global Studies University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Dr. Jaap C. Bos – Professor of Psychology Utrecht University<\/p>\n

Marian and Leslie Bravery – Palestinian Human Rights Campaign Aotearoa, New Zealand<\/p>\n

Carole H. Browner – Distinguished Research Professor Departments of Anthropology and Gender Studies Center for Culture and Health<\/p>\n

Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Edmund Burke III – Professor Emeritus of History University of California, Santa Cruz<\/p>\n

Karen Brodkin – Professor Emerita of Anthropology University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Masoud Chamasemani – Actor and TV Producer<\/p>\n

Swati Chattopadhyay – University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Maivan Clech Lam – Professor Emerita City University of New York Graduate Center<\/p>\n

Carla Coco – University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Pauline M. Coffman – Oak Park, IL<\/p>\n

Eve Darian-Smith<\/p>\n

Diana G. Darab, Ph.D. – Health Research for Action University of California, Berkeley<\/p>\n

Natalie Z. Davis – Professor Emeritus Princeton University<\/p>\n

James Deutsch MD, PhD, FRCPC – Faculty of Medicine University of Toronto<\/p>\n

Julie Diamond – Center for Worker Education, CCNY New York<\/p>\n

Sasan Fayazmanesh – Professor Emeritus of Economics California State University, Fresno<\/p>\n

Nina Farnia – Past President National Lawyers Guild, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter<\/p>\n

Gary Fields – Professor of Communication University of California, San Diego<\/p>\n

Shepard Forman – Founding Director Center for International Cooperation New York University<\/p>\n

Manzar Foroohar – Professor Emerita History and Latin American Studies Cal Poly San Luis Obispo<\/p>\n

Margaret Ferguson – Distinguished Professor of English, Emerita University of California, Davis<\/p>\n

Maxine Fookson – Board member of Oregon Physicians for Social Responsibility Western Executive Committee of American Friends Service Committee<\/p>\n

Aranye Fradenburg Joy – Professor Emeritus of English and Comparative Literature University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Nancy Gallagher – Professor Emerita of History University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Jolien Geerlings – Utrecht University The Netherlands<\/p>\n

Jila Ghomeshi – Professor and Department Head Department of Linguistics University of Manitoba<\/p>\n

Magda Gilewicz – Professor of English California State University, Fresno<\/p>\n

Avery F. Gordon – Professor of Sociology University of California, Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Visiting Professor, School of Law Birkbeck University of London<\/p>\n

William Hastings – Assoc Professor Emeritus of Mathematics Fordham University<\/p>\n

Maryam Shayegan Hastings – Emerita Professor of Mathematics Fordham University<\/p>\n

Jeremy R. Hammond – Independent journalist Editor of Foreign Policy Journal <\/em>Author of Obstacle to Peace: The US Role in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict<\/em><\/p>\n

David Hillstrom – Author<\/p>\n

Frederik S. Heffermehl – Oslo Lawyer\/author Nobel Peace Prize Watch<\/p>\n

Ivan Huber – Professor Emeritus of Biology Fairleigh Dickinson University<\/p>\n

Professor George Hunsinger – Princeton Theological Seminary<\/p>\n

Suad Joseph – University of California, Davis<\/p>\n

Marcela Jurado<\/p>\n

Prya Kapoor – Portland State University<\/p>\n

David Kinsella – Portland State University<\/p>\n

David Klein – Professor of Mathematics California State University, Northridge<\/p>\n

Dennis Kortheuer – Department of History, Emeritus California State University, Long Beach<\/p>\n

Richard K. Larson – Professor of Linguistics Stony Brook University<\/p>\n

Mark LeVine – University of California, Irvine<\/p>\n

Richard Lew – Independent Contractor<\/p>\n

David Lloyd – Distinguished Professor of English University of California, Riverside<\/p>\n

Dr. Brooke Lober – Scholar-in-Residence, Gender and Women\u2019s Studies University of California, Berkeley<\/p>\n

Paul M Lubeck – Johns Hopkins University, SAIS<\/p>\n

Afshin Matin-Asgari – Professor of Middle East History California State University, Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Blanca Misse – Department of Modern Languages and Literatures San Francisco State University<\/p>\n

Kathleen Moore – Professor of Religious Studies UC Santa Barbara<\/p>\n

Patricia Morton – University of California, Riverside<\/p>\n

Jamal R. Nassar – Professor of Political Science and Dean Emeritus California State University, San Bernardino<\/p>\n

Srkja Pavlovic – Department of History and Classics University of Alberta<\/p>\n

Ismail Poonawala – Professor Emeritus of Arabic and Islamic Studies University of California, Los Angeles<\/p>\n

Angela Price – Fresno Center for Nonviolence<\/p>\n

Prof Balakrishnan Rajagopal – Law and Urban Planning Massachusetts Institute of Technology<\/p>\n

Priscilla Read – Chicago<\/p>\n

Craig Reinarman – Professor Emeritus of Sociology and Legal Studies University of California, Santa Cruz<\/p>\n

Rush Rehm – Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies and Classics Artistic Director, Stanford Repertory Theater Stanford University<\/p>\n

Stephen Roddy – Professor of Chinese Studies San Francisco State University<\/p>\n

Lisa Rofel – Professor Emeritus of Anthropology Co-Director, Center for Emerging Worlds University of California Santa Cruz Co-Director, California Scholars for Academic Freedom<\/p>\n

Cesar \u201cche\u201d Rodriguez, Ph.D – Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice Studies San Francisco State University<\/p>\n

Muhammad Sahimi – Professor of Chemical Engineering University of Southern California<\/p>\n

Carole Saltz – Director (retired) Teachers College Press<\/p>\n

Vida Samiian – Researcher, University of California, Los Angeles Professor of Linguistics and Dean Emerita California State University, Fresno<\/p>\n

Eugene Schulman – Independent dissident<\/p>\n

Leyli Shayegan – Retired Assistant Director Teachers College Press<\/p>\n

Carole Snee – Retired Director of ESL California State University, Fresno<\/p>\n

Mark Lewis Taylor – Maxwell M. Professor of Theology and Culture Princeton Theological Seminary<\/p>\n

Baki Tezcan – University of California, Davis<\/p>\n

Devra Weber – Emerita Professor of History University of California, Riverside<\/p>\n

Thomas G. Weiss – Distinguished Fellow, Global Governance. The Chicago Council on Global Affairs Presidential Professor of Political Science The CUNY Graduate Center<\/p>\n

Mark Winterrowd<\/p>\n

John Whitbeck – International Law Expert<\/p>\n

Antonio C. S. Rosa, M.A. \u2013 Editor TRANSCEND Media Service<\/em><\/p>\n

__________________________________________<\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/em>Richard Falk is a member of the\u00a0TRANSCEND Network<\/a>, an international relations scholar, professor emeritus of international law at Princeton University,\u00a0Distinguished Research Fellow, Orfalea Center of Global Studies,\u00a0UCSB,\u00a0author, co-author or editor of 60 books, and a speaker and activist on world affairs.\u00a0In 2008, the\u00a0United Nations Human Rights Council<\/a>\u00a0(UNHRC) appointed Falk to two three-year terms as a\u00a0United Nations Special Rapporteur <\/a>on \u201cthe situation of human rights in the\u00a0Palestinian territories<\/a> occupied since 1967.\u201d Since 2002 he has lived in Santa Barbara, California, and associated with the local campus of the University of California, and for several years chaired the Board of the Nuclear Age Peace Foundation. His most recent book is\u00a0<\/em>On Nuclear Weapons, Denuclearization, Demilitarization, and Disarmament\u00a0(2019). <\/em><\/p>\n

Go to Original \u2013 richardfalk.wordpress.com<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

8 Jan 2020 – I listened to Trump from my own perspective and with an attempt to hear his words as if I were an Iranian living in Iran. I found the statement belligerent, and formulated in an imperialist\/hegemonic language, avoiding a diplomatic sequel, and instead resuming the \u2018maximum pressure\u2019 approach involving threats and further intensified sanctions and other coercive moves that will bring additional suffering to the Iranian people.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":50432,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[944,1765],"class_list":["post-151385","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-transcend-members","tag-richard-falk","tag-us-congress"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151385","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=151385"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/151385\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/50432"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=151385"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=151385"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.transcend.org\/tms\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=151385"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}