January 15, 2003

As advocates for women, we believe that before engaging in war, any and all non-violent methods should be used to resolve conflict.

Diplomacy and non-violent measures are legitimate, effective and proven tools for diffusing and resolving conflict.

The administration is currently recognizing and using non-violent diplomatic means of conflict resolution in response to North Korea's open violation of international treaties against the development of weapons of mass destruction.

We believe that our government should focus its attention on eliminating terrorism and bringing to justice the perpetrators of the September 11th attacks on the United States.

Entering into a simultaneous war with Iraq is highly unlikely to reduce the threat of terrorism against Americans, and has the potential to increase hostility against the United States.

Alleviating poverty is one of the most effective methods to decrease the probability that countries will allow terrorists to operate inside their borders. The costs of this war would decrease the United States' ability to preempt future acts of terror by investing in poor countries.

Our commitment to Afghanistan remains largely unfulfilled and the realization of our promises to rebuild a democratic government and equitable society will require significant financial support over the next ten years.

We express our grave concern about the heavy toll this war will exact on U.S. families. We are also concerned about the potential of war to harm women and children, both as a strategic element of combat and as a consequence of war.

Increases in United States military expenditures have historically been accompanied by cuts to domestic social programs designed to assist the poor, the majority of whom are women and children.

Women in conflict zones always bear heavy personal costs of wars that target them for rape or torture, ruin their country's physical and social infrastructure, destabilize their economies, destroy their homes, and kill and maim their children and families.

Therefore, the National Council of Women's Organizations—