The resolution below, against the US escalation in Afghanistan, was rejected by the CPUSA leadership with only two recorded dissenting votes. Proposed before its mid-November regular meeting, the National Committee (NC) refused to consider the resolution on November 15, instead referring it to the National Board (NB) for further, expanded discussion. That NB discussion, which finally took place on December 2, the day after Obama’s war speech at West Point, voted against the resolution by a vote of 34-2. The Editors

Defeated Resolution on Afghanistan

Whereas, the Bush Administration launched a war on Afghanistan in 2001 for the purpose of controlling the Central Asian region’s oil, natural gas and other resources, and to gain strategic geopolitical advantage over U.S. rivals in Europe and Asia; and,

Whereas, this mercenary, imperialist war of aggression was sold to the U.S. people and the world public on the basis of brazen lies, first as a bid to protect the U.S. people from terrorism and then as a project to bring democracy to Afghanistan; and,

Whereas, over 918 U.S. troops have been killed since the war began, and at least three times that number have been seriously injured; and,

Whereas, at least 28,000 Afghans have been killed directly or indirectly as a result of this war, over 3.7 million have been displaced, and their economy has been shattered; and,

Whereas, corporations linked to the military-industrial complex have obtained obscene profits from this war; and,

Whereas, the cost of waging this war and occupation – $200 billion by conservative estimates – has led to the starving of badly needed social, jobs and education programs in the U.S.; and,

Whereas, the number of U.S. troops in Afghanistan is now 68,000, more than twice the number when George W. Bush left office; and

Whereas, there are at least 70,000 U.S. private contractors and mercenaries in Afghanistan, many of whom are directly involved in prosecuting the war by helping to load bombs on drones, provide “security services,” and the like;

Therefore be it resolved, that the Communist Party, USA, calls for the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all U.S. forces, including military troops, contractors and mercenaries from Afghanistan; and,

Be it further resolved, that reparations be paid to the Afghan people from the U.S. to restore their economy to its pre-war state and as restitution for the injuries and suffering inflicted upon them; and,

Be it further resolved, that such reparations come from the profits of U.S. war profiteers in the first place; and,

Be it further resolved, that the responsible officials in the U.S. government, starting with President George W. Bush, be prosecuted for war crimes before an international tribunal; and,

Be it further resolved, that the content of this resolution be communicated to the mass media.

December 12,  2009