Posted on 31-3-2003
US
Diplomat - I Resign
Secretary of State Colin Powell
US Department of State
Washington, DC 20521
Dear Secretary Powell:
When I last saw you in Kabul in January, 2002 you arrived to
officially open the US Embassy that I had helped reestablish
in December, 2001 as the first political officer. At that time
I could not have imagined that I would be writing a year later
to resign from the Foreign Service because of US policies. All
my adult life I have been in service to the United States. I
have been a diplomat for fifteen years and the Deputy Chief
of Mission in our Embassies in Sierra Leone, Micronesia, Afghanistan
(briefly) and Mongolia. I have also had assignments in
Somalia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Grenada and Nicaragua. I received
the State
Department's Award for Heroism as Charge d'Affaires during the
evacuation of Sierra Leone in 1997. I was 26 years in the US
Army/Army Reserves and participated in civil reconstruction
projects after military operations in Grenada, Panama and Somalia.
I attained the rank of Colonel during my military service.
This is the only time in my many years serving America that
I have felt I cannot represent the policies of an Administration
of the United States. I disagree with the Administration's policies
on Iraq, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, North Korea and curtailment
of civil liberties in the U.S. itself. I believe the Administration's
policies are making the world a more dangerous, not a safer,
place. I feel obligated morally and professionally to set out
my very deep and firm concerns on these policies and to resign
from
government service as I cannot defend or implement them.
I hope you will bear with my explanation of why I must resign.
After thirty years of service to my country, my decision to
resign is a huge step and I want to be clear in my reasons why
I must do so.
* I disagree with the Administration's policies on Iraq
I wrote this letter five weeks ago and held it hoping that the
Administration would not go to war against Iraq at this time
without United Nations Security Council agreement. I strongly
believe that going to war now will make the world more dangerous,
not safer.
There is no doubt that Saddam Hussein is a despicable dictator
and has done incredible damage to the Iraqi people and others
of the region. I totally support the international community's
demand that Saddam's regime destroy weapons of mass destruction.
However, I believe we should not use US military force without
UNSC agreement to ensure compliance. In our press for military
action now, we have created deep chasms in the international
community and in important international organizations. Our
policies have alienated many of our allies and created ill will
in much of the world.
Countries of the world supported America's action in Afghanistan
as a response to the September 11 Al Qaida attacks on America.
Since then, America has lost the incredible sympathy of most
of the world because of our policy toward Iraq. Much of the
world considers our statements about Iraq as arrogant, untruthful
and masking a hidden agenda. Leaders of moderate Moslem/Arab
countries warn us about predicable outrage and anger of the
youth of their countries if America enters an Arab country with
the purpose of attacking Moslems/Arabs, not defending them.
Attacking the Saddam regime in Iraq now is very different than
expelling the same regime from Kuwait, as we did ten years ago.
I strongly believe the probable response of many Arabs of the
region and Moslems of the world if the US enters Iraq without
UNSC agreement will result in actions extraordinarily dangerous
to America and Americans. Military action now without UNSC agreement
is much more dangerous for America and the world than allowing
the UN weapons inspections to proceed and subsequently taking
UNSC authorized action if warranted.
I firmly believe the probability of Saddam using weapons of
mass destruction is low, as he knows that using those weapons
will trigger an immediate, strong and justified international
response. There will be no question of action against Saddam
in that case. I strongly disagree with the use of a "preemptive
attack" against Iraq and believe that this preemptive attack
policy will be used against us and provide justification for
individuals and groups to "preemptively attack" America
and American citizens.
The international military build-up is providing pressure on
the regime that is resulting in a slow, but steady disclosure
of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD). We should give the weapons
inspectors time to do their job. We should not give extremist
Moslems/ Arabs a further cause to hate America, or give moderate
Moslems a reason to join the extremists. Additionally, we must
reevaluate keeping our military forces in the Middle East, particularly
in Saudi Arabia. Their presence on the Islamic "holy soil"
of Saudi Arabia will be an anti-American rally cry for Moslems
as long as the US military remains and a strong reason, in their
opinion, for actions against the US government and American
citizens.
Although I strongly believe the time in not yet right for military
action in Iraq, as a soldier who has been in several military
operations, I hope General Franks, US and coalition forces can
accomplish the missions they will be ordered do without loss
of civilian or military life and without destruction of the
Iraqi peoples' homes and livelihood. I strongly urge the Department
of State to attempt again to stop the policy that is leading
us to military action in Iraq without UNSC agreement. Timing
is everything and this is not yet the time for military
action.
* I disagree with the Administration's lack of effort in resolving
the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
Likewise, I cannot support the lack of effort by the Administration
to use its influence to resurrect the Israeli-Palestinian peace
process. As Palestinian suicide bombers kill Israelis and Israeli
military operations kill Palestinians and destroy Palestinian
towns and cities, the Administration has done little to end
the violence. We must exert our considerable financial influence
on the Israelis to stop destroying cities and on the Palestinians
to curb its youth suicide bombers. I hope the Administration's
long-needed "Roadmap for Peace" will have the human
resources and political capital needed to finally make some
progress toward
peace.
* I disagree with the Administration's lack of policy on North
Korea
Additionally, I cannot support the Administration's position
on North Korea. With weapons, bombs and missiles, the risks
that North Korea poses are too great to ignore. I strongly believe
the Administration's lack of substantive discussion, dialogue
and engagement over the last two years has jeopardized security
on the peninsula and the region. The situation with North Korea
is dangerous for us to continue to neglect.
* I disagree with the Administration's policies on Unnecessary
Curtailment of Rights in America
Further, I cannot support the Administration's unnecessary curtailment
of civil rights following September 11. The investigation of
those suspected of ties with terrorist organizations is critical
but the legal system of America for 200 years has been based
on standards that provide protections for persons during the
investigation period. Solitary confinement without access to
legal counsel cuts the heart out of the legal foundation on
which our country stands. Additionally, I believe the Administration's
secrecy in the judicial process has created an atmosphere of
fear to speak out against the gutting of the protections on
which America was built and the protections we encourage other
countries to provide to their citizens.
Resignation
I have served my country for almost thirty years in the some
of the most isolated and dangerous parts of the world. I want
to continue to serve America. However, I do not believe in the
policies of this Administration and cannot defend or implement
them. It is with heavy heart that I must end my service to America
and therefore resign due to the Administration's policies.
Mr. Secretary, to end on a personal note, under your leadership,
we have made great progress in improving the organization and
administration of the Foreign Service and the Department of
State. I want to thank you for your extraordinary efforts to
that end. I hate to leave the Foreign Service, and I wish you
and our colleagues well.
Very Respectfully,
Mary A. Wright, FO-01
Deputy Chief of Mission
US Embassy
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
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