At its annual meeting in Washington, DC, the Friends Committee on

National Legislation General Committee approved its legislative

priorities for the 109th Congress. Included in its new priorities is:

"Remove all U.S. military forces and bases From Iraq, and fulfill U.S.

moral and legal obligations to reconstruct Iraq through appropriate

multinational, national, and Iraqi agencies."

The Friends Committee on National Legislation is urging members of

Congress to initiate and support a sense of Congress resolution stating,

as a principle of intent, that it is in the interest of the U.S. to

remove all troops and bases from Iraq. In the meantime, urgent action is

needed to address the spiraling violence.

Congress must demand an end to all U.S.-led offensive military

operations in Iraq and an immediate U.S. initiated cease-fire. Congress

must demand accountability for all violations of international law in

Iraq.

Previous to this demand, the St. Louis Friends Meeting made a statement

to the people of Iraq:

As Quakers, and people of peace, we abhor and are deeply sorry for the

acts of aggression, oppression, humiliation and torture committed by the

United States Government in Iraq and elsewhere. We have opposed from the

beginning the invasion and the ongoing occupation of Iraq by United

States forces. And we humbly apologize for the death, injury, abuse and

material destruction that have resulted from this use of force.

Rather than revel in broadside attacks on the religious community, it

would be wise for many liberals to understand the radical simplicity of

authentic spirituality.

Friends, we must understand that not every pulpit has been taken over

by nationalistic fundamentalists, self righteous fools and blood thirsty

war mongers.

Test your congregation to see if it has the sound spiritual

integrity manifested by the Quakers and the Friends Committee on

National Legislation.

For a free copy of this commentary call 323/852-9808....323/852-9808.

This is Blase Bonpane.