In a rare campus teach-in given by supporters of the war with
Iraq, three prominent political figures discussed Wednesday night
the reasons behind the conflict and the implications of the
aftermath.
The event, sponsored by Americans for Victory Over Terrorism and
the Bruin Republicans, featured former Education Secretary William
Bennett, James Woolsey, CIA Director under the Clinton
Administration, and L. Paul Bremer, an expert in counter-terrorism
policy.
“We are here to make the case for why there is a war on
terrorism,” explained Bennett. “Military force is there
as a means, not as an end, and it’s there as an instrument of
better ends.”
The panelists cited moral, political and philosophical reasons
to justify the United States’ military action in Iraq and
devoted a large amount of time to fielding questions from the
audience. Arguing that there were “conclusive” links
between Saddam Hussein and terrorist groups, they said the United
States is justified in fighting a war on behalf of the world and on
behalf of the Arab people.
“I don’t look at this as a pro-war matter at all. As
far as I’m concerned, it’s figuring out how to help the
Arab people,” Woolsey said. “The issue of democracy is
also an issue of peace, and what we ought to be focusing on is
helping to bring democracy to the Arab world.”
Bremer said conflict with fundamentalist terrorist groups like
al-Qaeda is unavoidable because their ideals are inevitably adverse
to American ideology.
“There is no deal that can be made with these people.
There is no compromise possible,” he said. “This
country cannot wait until these terrorists get their hands on
weapons of mass destruction.”
The audience of about 300 students and Los Angeles community
members seemed fairly receptive to the presentation. However, the
message clearly didn’t take with all the attendees.
Six members of Code Pink: Women for Peace staged a silent
protest during the question and answer session of the teach-in,
standing to one side and holding a banner that read: “The
World Wants Peace.”
Jodie Evans, a co-founder of Women for Peace, said she found the
panelists’ arguments for war to be “shallow,”
“illogical” and “arrogant.”
“(They act) like what’s beautiful about America is
that our government goes off and invades people, and that’s
not what is beautiful about America at all,” she said.
Andrew Jones, chairman of the Bruin Republicans and former Daily
Bruin columnist, dismissed the protesters as “creepy old
women” but added he appreciated that they stood respectfully
to the side.
Security maintained a visible presence during the discussion in
anticipation of anti-war protests. However, they did not have to
escort anyone out and the six silent protesters left the panel on
their own.
Audience reaction to the panel was mixed. Supporters of the war
said it made them feel secure in their position, but some
dissenters said it did little to change their minds.
Muneer Adhame, a fourth-year political science student, said he
found the presentation to be “insulting” and
insensitive to opinion in the Arab world.
“They did not convince me. They just convinced me that
they don’t understand the Middle East, the culture, the
religion, the people,” he said.
Avishai Shraga, a fourth-year computer science student and
student media employee, said he felt the panelists made a
“clear case” for military intervention and that the
teach-in was a good departure from the predominant anti-war rallies
held on college campuses.
“It was refreshing to see another viewpoint on a college
campus where we usually only get one view,” Shraga said.
Carlos Gomez, a second-year political science student, said he
felt he understood the position of pro-war activists better, but
that, in general, the presentation fell short of persuading
him.
“I don’t feel I’m convinced that a war is
justified,” he said.
Jones, who had expressed hope that over 600 students would
attend the event, nevertheless called the teach-in “a real
success.”
“You can’t argue with the experience of these
gentlemen,” he said.
Bennett said he was pleased that UCLA had invited him and his
colleagues to speak and felt the debate filled a nice gap between
the pro-war and anti-war movements.
“I think we fit where we’re supposed to fit. This is
what universities are for,” he said.