From Just Foreign Policy, www.justforeignpolicy.org

A bipartisan resolution has been introduced in the House calling for measures that would help prevent an accidental military conflict with Iran in the Strait of Hormuz. [1] Will you ask your representative to cosponsor this important legislation?

An accidental military conflict would be used by hardliners in both countries to derail the potential for talks.

The Strait of Hormuz is a cramped and crowded waterway that plays host to hundreds of military and commercial ships a week, including vessels from the U.S. and Iranian navies. Presently, there is no communications protocol for U.S. and Iranian naval vessels that come into contact in the strait. This has resulted in a number of dangerous situations between the U.S. and Iran over the past few years, including an incident on January 6, 2008, which, according to some reports, almost led to armed conflict.[2] There is substantial risk of a similar incident resulting in catastrophe if some standard of communication is not established.

To prevent such an outcome, Congressmen John Conyers (D-MI) and Geoff Davis (R-KY) have introduced a bipartisan resolution calling for President Obama to include the negotiation of an "Incidents-at-Sea Agreement" with Iran as part of his talks with Tehran.  "It is irresponsible to continually place our troops at risk of an accidental conflict because of our refusal to talk to Tehran," said Rep. Conyers.

The United States had a similar agreement for incidents at sea with the Soviets during the Cold War - why not with Iran?

Please, write to your representative and ask him to become a cosponsor of H.Con.Res. 94.

http://www.justforeignpolicy.org/act/sea.html

Thank you for all you do for a just foreign policy,

... Payvand News - 04/08/09 ... --

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