February, 18 2009, 05:19pm EDT
For Immediate Release
Contact:
Paul Kawika Martin, Political Director, 301.565.4050 x 316, 951.217.7285 cell, pmartin@peace-action.org
Kevin Martin, Executive Director, 301.565.4050 x 307, 301.537.8244 cell
Largest Peace Group Denounces Obama's Afghanistan Escalation
Peace Action, the nation's largest peace organization, today denounced
President Obama's announcement yesterday to send an additional 17,000
U.S. troops into Afghanistan. The group claimed that experts doubt
there is a military solution to the crisis in the country and the
international community should focus on diplomacy, humanitarian aid and
development.
WASHINGTON
Peace Action, the nation's largest peace organization, today denounced
President Obama's announcement yesterday to send an additional 17,000
U.S. troops into Afghanistan. The group claimed that experts doubt
there is a military solution to the crisis in the country and the
international community should focus on diplomacy, humanitarian aid and
development.
"Instead of sending more Americans to die in Afghanistan in a conflict
that experts agree is unwinnable militarily, we need a diplomatic and
humanitarian surge," stated Kevin Martin the group's executive director.
Groups pushing for non-military solutions in Afghanistan point to a
recent RAND Corporation report concluding that, since 1968, only seven
percent of all terrorist groups that have ended were taken down by
military force. In contrast, 40 percent of those groups were defeated
through police and intelligence work, and 43 percent gave up terrorism
as they were integrated into the political process.
"We know from the British and Russians that occupation in Afghanistan
doesn't work. The U.S. needs to push for regional diplomatic
discussions that include all stakeholders. The U.S. needs to stop the
killing of civilians by stopping air and drone strikes. Lastly, the
international community needs to help the Afghan humanitarian crisis by
increasing aid and development," concluded Martin.
Peace Action is the United States' largest peace and disarmament organization with over 100,000 members and nearly 100 chapters in 34 states, works to achieve the abolition of nuclear weapons, promote government spending priorities that support human needs and encourage real security through international cooperation and human rights.
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