91´«Ã½

Resolution on the Iraq Crisis

Adopted at 2003 Midwinter Meeting

WHEREAS the President of the United States is considering whether or not to go to war to disarm the nation of Iraq of its weapons of mass destructions; and

WHEREAS the citizens of a democracy need libraries as a key source of the information they require to formulate and express their views on this, and other important issues of our times; and

WHEREAS the Congressional Budget Office estimates a military action against Iraq will cost our nation between nine and eleven billion dollars a month, resulting in cutbacks in, among others, federally funded programs that benefit libraries; and

WHEREAS any major military action in Iraq is likely to destroy many libraries and other cultural facilities as well as kill many innocent people; therefore be it

RESOLVED that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the 91´«Ã½ urges the President of the United States to reach a peaceful solution to the conflict with Iraq and avoid a costly war; and be it further

RESOLVED that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the 91´«Ã½ urges all libraries to conscientiously build collections of information presenting all points of view on this critical issue, including points of view opposing war and promoting peaceful alternatives; and be it further

RESOLVED that this resolution be sent to the President of the United States, the Secretary General of the United Nations, the Secretary of State of the United States, members of the United States Congress, IFLA and the library press.