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 Message to President Obama on Afghanistan: Don’t Escalate, Negotiate!For Immediate Release: April 3, 2009Contact: Anne Miller, (603) 520-0839 New Hampshire Peace Action Message to President Obama on Afghanistan: Don’t Escalate, Negotiate! Concord, Durham, and Nashua NH – On Tuesday, April 7, activists in Concord, Durham and Nashua will hold vigils for peace in the wake of President Obama’s announcement to send as many as 21,000 additional U.S. forces to Afghanistan in what he now calls “America’s war.” “During the primaries, President Obama spoke repeatedly about changing the mindset that leads to war,” said Anne Miller of New Hampshire Peace Action. “While we recognize his commitment to diplomacy as a departure from the previous administration, ramping up the war in Afghanistan is more of the same. It means more support for corrupt governments and warlords, more Afghan civilian casualties, more recruits full of resentment and hatred for the U.S., and more billions of dollars and human lives lost.” Peace groups are alarmed that without a clear strategy, benchmarks for success, and a plan to bring our troops home, this escalation will only prolong the American-led occupation – and increase anti-American sentiment throughout the region – while it fails to make America any safer. Instead of escalation, peace groups recommend the U.S. pursue following goals: • Decrease or eliminate the U.S. military footprint in Afghanistan The vigils are part of a week of local actions nationwide organized by the national coalition, United for Peace and Justice www.unitedforpeace.org. Concord WHAT: Concord Vigil Durham WHAT: Durham Vigil WHAT: Nashua Vigil Back to Granite State Progress  |