California Nurses Association (CNA) Statement on the Iraq War
This statement was adopted
by the CNA Board of Directors on Feb. 2, 2003. We have copied it from the U.S. Labor Against the
War web site, which now has perhaps the most comprehensive list of labor
organizations that have taken a position against the war.
The California Nurses
Association joins with scores of other health care advocacy groups, nurses, and
labor organizations and local governments to oppose a unilateral war by the
Bush Administration against Iraq.
CNA condemns all acts of
terrorism. CNA supports peaceful efforts to promote disarmament and the
elimination of all nuclear, chemical, biological, and other weapons that inflict
large-scale destruction.
CNA believes that
international disputes are best resolved through the role of broad-based
international organizations, particularly the United Nations, to promote a
peaceful end to conflict and social and economic justice, not through
unilateral intervention.
Whereas the Code of Ethics
for Nurses underscores that “the nurse’s primary commitment is to the patient
whether as individual, family, group, or community,” and that the “profession
of nursing is responsible for articulating nursing values and shaping social
policy,” CNA has particular concerns about the health and social impacts of a
war with Iraq.
The first Persian Gulf War produced
up to 300,000 casualties among Iraqi civilians, according to Human Rights
Watch, and devastating long-term health consequences for untold numbers of
Iraqis and Americans. Some 160,000 U.S. Gulf War veterans have endured chronic
disorders, at 12 times the rate of non-Gulf War veterans, with cancer, birth
defects, memory loss, and other elements of Gulf War syndrome.
A new war with Iraq would
likely cause even more immense casualties and human suffering. Presently, 13
million Iraqi children, according to the Independent Study Team, “are at a
grave risk of starvation, disease, death and psychological trauma.” A United
Nations contingency planning report estimates up to 500,000 Iraqis would
require medical treatment, and another three million would face dire
malnutrition and require therapeutic feeding. The outbreak of cholera,
dysentery, and other epidemics would be likely. The report also projects up to
900,000 refugees would need food and shelter, and endure continuing casualties
from land mines.
U.S. personnel participating
also face unknown direct casualties and likely long-term health effects, such
as occurred to the 130,000 Gulf War troops, according to the U.S. Department of
Defense, who were exposed to chemical weapons as a result of the U.S. bombing
of one Iraqi arms depot.
At home, the pending war
would also have serious consequences for public health and the social safety
net. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the war would cost between $9
billion and $13 billion each month, prompting draconian reductions in public
spending on health care and other social needs.
The increase in defense
spending in advance of the war coincides with a growing health care crisis in
our nation and cutbacks in vital funding for public hospitals, community clinics,
disease prevention programs, and our emergency response network.
Unilateral U.S. military
action against Iraq is likely to increase retaliatory attacks against U.S.
civilians, placing a further strain on our overburdened health care system.
Plans by the Bush
Administration for smallpox vaccinations for up to 10 million RNs and other
health care workers and emergency personnel demonstrate our concern. Local
health departments across the U.S. are reporting that many health care
programs, including cancer and tuberculosis screenings, immunization clinics
for children, and children‚s dental programs are being curtailed as funds are
diverted for the smallpox program. The smallpox program is also risky. The
Institute of Medicine says the program lacks adequate safeguards.
The CNA Board of Directors
will communicate our position to our elected representatives and to CNA
members, and conduct an educational campaign for CNA members on the
consequences of the war.