The Petition for a New Foreign Policy

Dear [Presidential Candidate],

We, the undersigned, urge you, as a candidate for President in the 2004 election, to support fundamental changes in our nation's foreign policy.

The policy failures of the past are threatening our nation's security and our future. Our arms sales and military aid programs have created widespread anti-American sentiment. Our nuclear weapons policies are encouraging nuclear proliferation. Our approach to the international community is isolating us and frustrating our ability to take meaningful leadership.

We must make our foreign policy consistent with the highest ideals and core values of our democracy.

We call upon you to support the following three steps toward a safer world:

1. Support Human Rights and Democracy

Recognizing that the American people share a deep commitment to human rights and democracy, we urge you to oppose arms transfers and military training or assistance to governments on the State Department list of human rights abusers - on both an individual country basis and as a matter of policy. Sadly, our nation now leads the world in military aid to human rights-abusing governments. We call upon you to support efforts to regulate and control the international arms trade.

2. Reduce and Control the Nuclear Threat

Recognizing that we face no greater threat than that posed by weapons of mass destruction, we urge you to make the American people more secure by opposing funding for the development or testing of new nuclear weapons. We call upon you to oppose missile defense and space weapons systems because they increase the risk of proliferation.

3. Cooperate with the World Community

Recognizing that global institutions and agreements are essential to ensuring global stability and security for US citizens, we urge you to express your support for international law and the use of diplomacy to resolve global conflicts. We call upon you to strengthen international stability by opposing the doctrine of "preemptive attacks." We urge you to publicly support international systems which foster global cooperation and respect for law and treaties such as the United Nations and the International Criminal Court.

Additional Comments:

Sincerely,

First Name:

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