====== FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ======

America First Party
1630 A 30th Street #111
Boulder, Colorado 80301
http://www.AmericaFirstParty.org

Tuesday, August 28, 2007

Low Prospects of Stability Make Troop Pullout and Easing of Tensions with Iran More Urgent

Boulder, CO -- The pessimistic outlook for stability in Iraq given in this month's National Intelligence Estimate ("NIE") highlights the need for withdrawal of U.S. forces from that conflict and the avoidance of any further unnecessary military adventures. Instead of withdrawal, however, we see signs of a dangerous escalation with the NIE's fingering of Iran and Syria for alleged support of insurgents in Iraq, and with reports that the State Department will soon classify Iran's Revolutionary Guard as a terrorist organization. It is time to immediately reassess the direction in which we are headed.

The quagmire in Iraq was predictable, given the history of past occupations in Iraq and the militant tenacity of the populations in the Middle East. Years of fighting can be expected before the situation improves significantly. As was recently stated by James Fearon in an article in Foreign Affairs, before power-sharing agreements are realized, "it typically takes combatants ... years of fighting to clarify the balance of power." Therefore, our continued expenditures of blood and money in Iraq are unlikely to bring stability soon. Likewise, war with Iran will probably cause regional instability, a stimulus to radical Islamic military and political movements, and serious economic consequences at home.

Unsubstantiated claims that Iran is facilitating attacks on our troops, if true, need to be seen in the overall context. If a constitutional foreign policy were being implemented, our military's use would be completely restricted to national defense purposes, and we would not be present in Iraq where there is a theoretical exposure to Iranian sponsored attacks.

AFP National Chairman Jonathan Hill stated: "Decent and competent elected officials who respect their oaths of office do not initiate unprovoked and unnecessary wars. Until the individual voter perceives the linkage between the integrity of political candidates and the oath of office, our nation and troops will continue to be at risk of revisiting the calamity which is Iraq. Iran does not threaten our vital interests and should not be on our radar."

The America First Party Platform calls for the United States military to be used only "to protect U.S. citizens, U.S. property and U.S. border integrity," and for no other purpose.

Contacts:
Jonathan Hill, National Chairman, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 4
John Schweingrouber, Press Secretary, 1-866-SOS-USA1, ext. 2

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