American Muslim Iraq Peace Initiative (AMIPI)

Foreign Coordination/Political Influence Operation

Date: Early 2007

Original Context: http://www.amipi.org/news.php

Full Text:

CAIR

Council on American-Islamic Relations
453 New Jersey Avenue, SE. Washington, DC  20003
Tel: 202-488-8787  Fax: 202-488-0833   www.cair.com

American Muslim Peace Initiative

A Proposal

Background:

The war in Iraq has had disastrous effects on the standing of the United States in the world and its future relations with the Muslim world. The war has also had a ruinous impact on the Iraqi people. The rapid increase of sectarian killings threatens intra-Muslim relations across the globe. Further deterioration in Iraq may increase the chances of even more intense hostility between America and Muslim countries. The prospects of such deterioration are bad for world peace and bad for American Muslims.

This proposal outlines a phased approach on what American Muslims can do to first promote a platform of Muslim unity which then becomes a spring board for reconciliation between the various religious and ethnic groups in Iraq.

Ultimately peace in Iraq and the withdrawal of U.S. troops from the region depend upon political realties on the ground. The expectation of the American Muslim Peace Initiative is nudge the different political and religious entities in the region towards using a fair political process to redress their grievances.

Objectives:

• Bring together American Muslim religious leaders – Sunni and Shia – to agree upon a set of principles that foster mutual understanding and respect.
• Issue a joint declaratory statement signed by prominent Shia and Sunni leaders in America.
• Form an AMPI Task Force consisting of religious, civic and political leaders whose goal will be meet regularly and deliberate upon ways and means to influence both domestic policies and players in the region towards a just and comprehensive peace for all parties.
• Gain momentum for peace that will AMPI to urge withdrawal of U.S. troops and possible substitution of peacekeepers from Muslim majority countries.

Benefits:

There are three core advantages to be realized by launching AMIPI:

1. Enhancing Domestic Security: By reestablishing a common understanding of universal brotherhood among all Muslims worldwide, we hope to ensure that a sectarian conflict like the one in Iraq does not reach US shores.
2. Promoting peace in Iraq: By working to end sectarian violence in Iraq and facilitating reconciliation among the various parties, we hope to effectuate a genuine peace process in which Iraqis are able to arrive at equitable agreements regarding their political differences.
3. Improving U.S. Relations with the Muslim World: By ending sectarian violence in Iraq and bringing the U.S. occupation to an end, we hope to realize our role as builders of bridges of understanding between America and the Muslim world.

AMPI Taskforce:

A taskforce, with a coordinator will be established. It will be comprised of Iraqi American leaders, American Muslim advocacy groups, American Muslim religious leaders, congressional leaders, and experts.

One of the goals of the AMPI Taskforce will be to send a delegation to the region to meet with the leaders in Iraq and the countries surrounding Iraq (Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Syria).

Phased Deployment:

Phase 1 is developed in detail. Each succeeding Phase will be developed contingent upon the success of the preceding Phase.

1. Phase 1: American-Muslim Shia-Sunni Summit in Washington DC.
   1. Step 1: A “Host Committee” comprising of prominent American Muslim groups will be formed. Suggested initial list – CAIR, ISNA, ICNA, MPAC, Qazwinis, IIIT, MAS, MANA etc. Timeline: By May 11, 2007
   2. Step 2: The “Host Committee” will issue letters of invitation to key American Muslim (Shia and Sunni) leaders to convene in Washington DC. Timeline: By May 22, 2007
   3. Step 3: Following a one-day summit in DC, the convening group will announce the formation of AMPI Task Force, issue a joint declaratory statement affirming essential Muslim unity, and announce a possible “Peace Mission” to Iraq and the region. Timeline: In June/July, 2007

1. Phase 2: Convene an Iraqi Leaders Summit in Washington DC.

1. Phase 3: Lobby Transnational Islamic/Arab Agencies (OIC, Arab League) to commit to peacekeeping forces in Iraq, if needed.

1. Phase 4: Use momentum from Phases 1-3 to join the growing momentum among Americans seeking a withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq.

CAIR’s Commitment and Budget:

CAIR will commit to hosting the first Shia-Sunni Summit at its National office in Washington DC office. COST –

CAIR will also coordinate and pay the expenses for the next-day press conference at the Press Club. COST –

CAIR will commit to contacting their Congressional contacts to join the AMPI Press Conference. COST –

CAIR will also commit to contacting the governments in the region and key Iraqi leaders in order to facilitate a “Peace Mission” by AMPI. COST –

Download .DOC File:

http://www.amipi.org/docs/CAIR_proposal_fr_Iraq_Initiative_beofre_7-11

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