Resolution on the Occupation of Iraq

Adopted at 2004 Annual Conference

Whereas, the justification for the coalition invasion of Iraq have proven to be completely unfounded; and

Whereas, the war already has taken the lives of thousands of Iraqi soldiers, more than 10,000 Iraqi civilians, and hundreds of coalition forces; and

Whereas, these numbers will continue to mount as long as coalition forces remain in Iraq; and

Whereas, during the current occupation many of Iraq's cultural treasures, including libraries, archives, manuscripts, and artifacts, have been destroyed, lost, or stolen; and

Whereas, as long as coalition forces remain in Iraq the inevitable escalation of fighting threatens further destruction of Iraq's cultural heritage; and

Whereas, currently, the U.S. is spending 4.7 billion dollars per month for the occupation; and

Whereas, even a small fraction of these resources would be more than sufficient for rebuilding and greatly enhancing the libraries and educational institutions of both Iraq and the United States;

Therefore, be it resolved that the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal from Iraq of all U.S. military forces, intelligence personnel, and contractors.