For Immediate Release
March 27, 2003

Kind-Bereuter Letter to President Recommends U.N. Resolution on Post-War Iraq Plan
Bipartisan Group Encourages Bush to Pursue an International Reconstruction Program

Washington, D.C. -- U.S. Reps. Ron Kind (D-WI) and Doug Bereuter (R-NE), joined in a letter today by 42 Democratic and Republican members of the House, called on President Bush to pursue a new United Nations resolution setting the terms of governing Iraq under United Nation auspices, following the end of the Iraq war.

The letter cited statements in the Vision for Iraq agreement at this month's summit in the Azores Islands which were reaffirmed today at a news conference with the President and British Prime Minister Tony Blair. The Azores agreement included support for the creation of a "new United Nations Security Council resolution that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq."

Kind said re-engaging the U.N. is critical to face the challenges of reconstruction and establishment of democratic governance for post-Saddam Iraq, including support for humanitarian assistance and bringing stability to the region.

"Now is the time to prepare for the governance of post-Saddam Iraq," Kind said. "It is not in our nation's interest to be perceived as an occupying force in Iraq, nor should we bear the burden of reconstruction alone."

The letter said engaging the U.N. is also an opportunity to bridge rifts in international relationships and strengthen ties with the United States' allies in the war against international terrorism.

Bereuter, the Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Europe, said, "The United Nations' on-the-ground experience in providing humanitarian assistance makes it well-qualified to play a critical role in relief and reconstruction efforts in post-war Iraq."

The letter, which includes House Democrats who voted in October 2002 to authorize the use of force, as well as Republicans, also encouraged the President to continue efforts to assist Iraq following the war.

"We thank you for your current efforts toward ensuring that the immediate needs of the Iraqi people are met," the letter read, "and we encourage your leadership in support of an international reconstruction program to help Iraq achieve democracy, prosperity and reintegrate into the global community."

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March 27, 2003

President of the United States
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. President:

As we move toward victory in our military engagement with Saddam Hussein's regime, we must begin to implement plans for post-war Iraq. The entire world has an interest in Iraq's future success and the participation of a wide and diverse group of countries can benefit Iraq's rebuilding efforts.

We stand behind your statement entitled "A Vision for Iraq and the Iraqi People" released on March 16, 2003 during the summit in the Azores Islands, to "…support an international reconstruction program to help Iraq achieve real prosperity and reintegrate into the global community," and "…to work in close partnership with international institutions, including the United Nations; our Allies and partners; and bilateral donors" in achieving this vision. We also support your agreement to urgently pursue "…new United Nations Security Council resolutions that would affirm Iraq's territorial integrity, ensure rapid delivery of humanitarian relief, and endorse an appropriate post-conflict administration for Iraq."

We agree that seeking prompt UN action in support of these goals will benefit the people of Iraq and support coalition forces in the immediate provision of humanitarian assistance. Further, UN involvement in post-war Iraq will help add international legitimacy and needed stability to a new, representative Iraqi government.

Recent actions by members of the international community indicate a strong desire to contribute to a post-conflict environment where Iraqis can live in freedom and prosper under democratic governance. As you know, at least some of the top leaders in the European Union are sincerely looking past heated divisions regarding the use of military action against Iraq, and are supportive of assisting the people of Iraq through the UN by humanitarian relief and through a reconstruction program. We believe there is now an opportunity for the United States to shape the UN role for delivery of such assistance in post-war Iraq and to effectively work toward consensus in the region and throughout the world.

Engaging the UN at this time is also an opportunity to bridge rifts in our international relationships while following through on our commitment to bring liberty and prosperity to the Iraqi people. Further, this action will serve to strengthen our ties with our allies as we continue in the war against international terrorism.

We thank you for your current efforts toward ensuring that the immediate needs of the Iraqi people are met, and we encourage your leadership in support of an international reconstruction program to help Iraq achieve democracy, prosperity and reintegrate into the global community.

Sincerely,

Ron Kind, MC Doug Bereuter, MC
Steny Hoyer, MC Jim Kolbe, MC
Howard Berman, MC John Spratt, MC
Michael Castle, MC Jim Leach, MC
Jim Davis, MC Adam Smith, MC
Jane Harman, MC Cal Dooley, MC
Vernon Ehlers, MC Amo Houghton, MC
Joseph Crowley, MC Harold Ford, Jr, MC
Zach Wamp, MC Jim Greenwood, MC
Dennis Moore, MC Adam Schiff, MC
Baron Hill, MC Sherwood Boehlert, MC
Robert Andrews, MC Joseph Hoeffel, MC
Tom Osborne, MC Edward Markey, MC
Bill Pascrell, MC Mike Ross, MC
Gary Ackerman, MC Ellen Tauscher, MC
Carolyn Maloney, MC Tim Holden, MC
Charlie Stenholm, MC Michael McNulty, MC
Carolyn McCarthy, MC Steve Israel, MC
Martin Meehan, MC Earl Pomeroy, MC
Gene Green, MC John Tanner, MC
Collin Peterson, MC Stephen Lynch, MC