--Kevin
 

1. Begin by saying something about our groups. Show that we represent significant numbers (the DuPage Peace Though Justice Coalition averages 40 people at our working meetings; our November 10 event drew about 200 people; we got a very favorable response from passing motorists, with people honking and giving thumbs up and flashing the peace sign, showing that we have support).
2. Call for an immediate end to U.S. military involvement in Afghanistan. Argue that the U.S. military actions violate international law; argue that, under international law, other responses are appropriate (see http://www.nlg.org/convention/2001_resolutions/sept11.htm and http://www.nlg.org/post911/legal/International/ratner-lobel1.htm, which we can perhaps copy and give to Harbin).
3. Argue against extending the war to other countries such as Iraq or Colombia. Express support for the thrust of Rep. Ron Paul's letter opposing any attacks on Iraq (see http://www.endthewar.org/RonPaul.htm#letter, which perhaps we should copy and provide to Harbin).
4. Call for a UN force to guarantee that much-needed aid reaches the people of Afghanistan. Apparently, the situation has improved, but it is still grave (see the NYT article "Racing Against Time" below).
5. Express our concerns about the attacks on civil liberties, perhaps giving Harbin a copy of the Center for Constitutional Rights' analysis of the PATRIOT act (http://www.ccr-ny.org/whatsnew/usa_patriot_act.asp) and the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights' summary of recent legislation and government directives affecting civil liberties (see below).

Those are the main points that we discussed in the coalition. If during the course of the discussion, there's also a way to work in support for HR 2459 (which calls for establishing a Department of Peace) and the AFL-CIO’s and Congressional Progressive Caucus' economic stimulus packages, I think we should do so.

--Kevin

> > (2) Call for an immediate end to U.S. military involvement in > Afghanistan. Argue that the U.S. military actions violate international > law....

In discussing this, we should express our concern about the number of Afghan civilians that have been killed by the U.S. bombings. According to one study, based on published reports, as many as 3,500 civilians have been killed (see http://www.democracynow.org/thndtrmb.doc). Meanwhile, according to a report on NPR yesterday, not one leader of the Al-Quada network has been captured.

--Kevin

For a report of conditions for civilians in Afghanastan, see "Racing Against Time".

For an extensive report on the attack on our civil liberties by the Chicago Committee to Defend the Bill of Rights, see "A Turn Toward Repression".