Green Party blasts politicized Sept. 11 House resolution, says language linking Iraq to terrorist attacks 'wrongheaded'

GREEN PARTY OF CALIFORNIA NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release: Friday, Sept. 1, 2004

Contacts:
Cres Vellucci, State Press Office, 916-996-1970,
Beth Moore Haines, GPCA Spokesperson, 530-277-0610,
Sara Amir, GPCA Spokesperson, 310-270-7106,

SACRAMENTO – The Green Party of California today criticized a House resolution marking the third anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks because it was politicized by references linking the Iraq war to terrorism.

House Resolution 757 passed 406-16, including 187 Democrats voting yes. Three Democrats were among the resolution's co-sponsors.

The GPCA, in a statement released Friday, said Greens unequivocally support the part of the resolution extending sympathy to the innocent victims of the 9/11 attacks and honor those fighting terrorism. However, the GPCA added, there has been no evidence linking Iraq to the Sept. 11 attacks, as those pursuing the war in Iraq frequently suggest.

"All Americans honor the victims and their rescuers of September 11, 2001. But our friends and family members did not die their terrible deaths on that day so that their memory could be used by an unscrupulous administration and its congressional collaborators to justify permanent war and economy-crushing military budgets," said Philip Koebel, Green congressional candidate in the 29th CD (L.A., Pasadena).

His opponent, Adam Schiff (D-CA29), voted for the resolution.

"Congress would honor the memory of the peace patriots of September 11, 2001 by vowing to end war and spend the peace dividend building schools and homes for our families," Koebel added.

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The Green Party of California
http://www.cagreens.org
P.O. Box 2828, Sacramento, CA 95812
Phone: (916) 448-3437
gpca@greens.org