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Text of John Brown's letter of resignation
The following is a copy of John Brown's letter of resignation to Secretary of State Colin Powell. Brown was a senior member of the Foreign Service who served in the State Department for more than 20 years, primarily in Eastern Europe and Russia.
To: Secretary of State Colin Powell
March 10, 2003
Dear Mr. Secretary:
I am joining my colleague John Brady Kiesling in submitting my resignation from the Foreign Service (effective immediately) because I cannot in good conscience support President Bush's war plans against Iraq.
The president has failed:
- To explain clearly why our brave men and women in uniform should be ready to sacrifice their lives in a war on Iraq at this time;
- To lay out the full ramifications of this war, including the extent of innocent civilian casualties;
- To specify the economic costs of the war for ordinary Americans;
- To clarify how the war would help rid the world of terror;
- To take international public opinion against the war into serious consideration.
Throughout the globe the United States is becoming associated with the unjustified use of force. The president's disregard for views in other nations, borne out by his neglect of public diplomacy, is giving birth to an anti-American century.
I joined the Foreign Service because I love our country. Respectfully, Mr. Secretary, I am now bringing this calling to a close, with a heavy heart but for the same reason that I embraced it.
COMMENTS
- GOD BLESS YOU SIR !!!! MICHAEL WASILEWSKI Posted March 27, 2003 2:41 PM
- I am glad that John Brown submitted his resignation. If Mr. Brown's view of the world is that much different than President Bush and his administration, he should find another job. I personally think President Bush has explained and answered every question Mr. Brown stated in his letter. I am not a proponent of war, but I am tired of Saddam not complying with UN Resolutions. Mr. Brown, Democatic leadership, and protestors around the world would have us believe that continuing to talk and threaten Saddam would evenually convince him to change his behavior. Nothing will change his behavior, but removing Saddam physically from this world. I am deeply concerned about our young men and women in the armed forces, I worry about the innocent Iraqi people that may die or at least have their lives in danger for weeks, and I'm concerned that we will not be able to guarantee that the next leader in Iraq will be a better leader and person. God Bless America! My hopes and prayers are with our soldiers, President Bush and administration, as well as the Iraqi people. Sincerely, Brent Slack Brent Slack Posted March 27, 2003 2:07 PM
- I've served in the military and am proud of that fact, but what I do not understand is why we did not call Iraq on its pledge to cooperate with the inspectors. I feel that if they said that they would cooperate then we should have increased the number of inspectors each time they said that they would make areas more available for inspections. Another thing I have a problem with is the administation's continued insistance on links to Al Qaida. With all of the intel capabilities that we have, how come we have not been able to establish this fact? With all of the problems that we face in this country i cannot understand why after ten to twelve years Saddam Hussein is a threat to the world. While 9/11 was tragic, those who had a hand in this we've went after and have located them not in Iraq, but in Pakistan. I support the troops for i know that thay're just doing their jobs. What I do not support is this president's agenda. He put military action as the only solution and has ignored the cries of peace from not only the American people but the world as well. I'll close with this: You have a man in North Korea with nukes and he's not a threat. Why? John R. Colonel Posted March 27, 2003 1:16 PM
