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Preventing Accidental War with Iran
By maudeaster on 2009-07-24 08:14:00
Do you remember the January 2008 incident in which Iranian Revolutionary Guard naval speedboats and 3 US naval vessels
exchanged provocations in the international waters of the Persian Gulf? This incident was a wake-up call to how inadequate
are current procedures for avoiding a dangerous accidental naval confrontation in this heavily trafficked channel, through
which 2/3 of the world's oil is shipped. Admiral Fallon, former commander of US forces in the Middle East and South Asia
warned reporters, "This kind of behavior, if it happens in the future, is the kind of event that could precipitate a mistake."
Finally, there is an excellent remedy for this situation - with bi-partisan support - before Congress right now: House
Concurrent Resolution 94 which encourages the negotiation of an "Incidents at Sea Agreement" between the United States
and the Government of Iran. Eight former military officials wrote Congress in favor of this resolution pointing out, "Such an
agreement with Iran should be modeled on previous US agreements with Soviet Union and China, which have contributed
valuably to the absence of military conflict between our countries for decades. As part of a larger effort to engage Iran on
core issues such as the nuclear program, Iran's support for terrorist groups, stabilization efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan, and
human rights, establishing direct communication between American and Iranian military officials could lay a foundation on
which to base more positive and productive relations." Sadly, our Capital District representatives Tonko and Murphy are not
among the 29 House members who've already signed up to co-sponsor the resolution, including Representatives Hinchey
and Massa from upstate New York. Please encourage Reps. Tonko and Murphy to add their support. Here's a handy letter
writing form to do this. Women Against War has met with Representative Tonko who said he agreed with President
Obama's efforts to negotiate with Iran - supporting this resolution would be a concrete way to act now on his commitment.
