Former U.N. inspector Ritter's words reek of pro-Hussein 
propaganda 

SEE Productions reportedly hopes to "diversify" its
lighthearted entertainment schedule, so (naturally) they
book the insufferable Scott Ritter to peddle seditious
anti-Americanism on behalf of Saddam ("Former weapons
inspector blasts Bush's Iraq policies," Nov. 12.) Not to
worry though. Diamondback reporter Kristen Martin
consoles us: "Mr. Ritter describes himself as a patriotic
citizen upholding his duty to question a democratic
government."

But aside from an "enthusiast crowd" of Peace Forum
toadies, did anyone bother questioning Mr. Ritter's
financial ties to Saddam's propaganda machine?

Because it'd be instructive if someone asked why Mr.  
Ritter's views on Iraq morphed so drastically only after
he accepted money from Iraqi sources. Stephen Hayes
described these sources in The Wall Street Journal (Sept.
18);  "Over the past two years, Mr. Ritter has taken
$400,000 from Shakir Al-Khafaji, an Iraqi-American
businessman with ties to Saddam, to produce a documentary
called, 'In Shifting Sands.' Mr. Ritter concedes that Mr.
Al-Khafaji is 'openly sympathetic with the regime in
Baghdad.' And that may be an understatement. Mr.
Al-Khafaji runs propaganda sessions for Saddam, which are
euphemistically known as 'expatriate conferences. The
biannual gatherings decry the 'terrorism and genocide'
the U.S. commits against the Iraqi people through U.N.
sanctions."

Ritter's "duty to question" should cut both ways for
folks considering his propaganda piece "In Shifting
Sands." Seems the sands aren't the only thing shifty
about Ritter.

Robert DeFrank 
University graduate 
Class of 1999