Not Considered

            These last two resolutions were not voted on by the assembly due to lack of time.  As we have done in the past, they are included in the post assembly packet for you information.  They do not necessarily represent the opinions of the assembly.  We, the Reference and Counsel committee, encourage the authors to resubmit the legislation for next year.

86-J (10)                         Resolution Against U.S. Support for the Contras

WEHREAS LSM-USA recognizes that right of all people to live in freedom from terror and violence, and

WHEREAS currently, a was of terror has been declared against the sovereign nation of Nicaragua and its people by the government of the United States of America through the creation of the CIA sponsored and trained contra rebels, and

WHEREAS on June 27, 1986, the World Court ruled in favor of Nicaragua’s claim that U.S. support of the contras violates International Law, and

WHEREAS despite this legal ruling, coupled with substantial evidence of fraud, drug-running, rape, and murder committed by the U.S. sponsored contras,2:3 the House of Representatives once again voted to restore funding for these inhumane acts, and

WHEREAS shortly following this vote for the return of U.S. exported terrorism aimed against the Nicaraguan people, 32 non-combatant peasants were killed by the contras in a July 2, 1986 landmine explosion,

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT as North American Christians we condemn this gross use of violence and terror against our Nicaraguan sister and brothers, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT LSM-USA, opposed to the continuation of U.S. financial, logistical, and ideological support of the contras, become more actively involved in stopping the illegal war against Nicaragua by:

1.  Educating ourselves and others about the issues affecting Nicaragua,

2.  Writing letter to our senators and representatives acknowledging our disapproval of the current policy of aggression against the Nicaraguan people,

3.  Considering involvement within the Pledge of Resistance Network.

References:

1.  Affidavit of David C. MacMichael, Ph.D., Senior Fellow, Council of Hemispheric Affairs, Washington, D.C., May 9, 1986.

2.  Affidavit of Edgar Chamarro, City of Washington, D.C., Sept. 5, 1985.

3.  Transcription from Canadian Pubic Radio, May 25, 1986.

4.  Cockburn, Alexander, “Beat the Devil,” The Nation, August 2/9, 1986, pp. 70-1.

For more information, see the material by Michelle Swarmer enclosed in this packet.