Nov 12, 2002 
Former weapons inspector blasts Bush's Iraq policies 
By Kristen Martin 
Staff writer 

A former U.S. chief weapons inspector for Iraqi
disarmament accused President Bush of holding a war
dictatorship over the nation during a lecture held at
Stamp Student Union last night.

Speaking to an enthusiastic crowd of students, faculty
and television news crews, former head of the United
Nations Special Commission, Scott Ritter, warned the
packed room of future death, terror and anti-American
sentiment he said current U.S. policy will foster if
allowed to carry out unquestioned.

"The U.S. simply doesn't want UN security inspections to
work," said Ritter. "There is no intention of letting
weapons inspections work in Iraq because our policy is
regime removal."

Although against the looming war, Ritter stressed the
importance of supporting weapons inspectors and abiding
by international law.

The U.N. Security Council, at Bush's urging, is sending
inspectors into Iraq with Hussein's consent; however, the
president has no intention of using them to disarm and
facilitate peace and is only looking for a quick reason
to begin deploying troops, Ritter said. With years of
experience in Iraq, Ritter said inspectors will need a
minimum of six months to do a quality job and optimally
two years to conduct a thorough investigation of
facilities and interrogations; the new U.N.  resolution
gives inspectors two months.

Ritter, who served 12 years in the U.S. armed forces,
focused on the destruction unilateral military action
would have on both American and Iraqi lives. Describing
himself as a patriotic citizen upholding his duty to
question a democratic government, he criticized Congress
of forfeiting war responsibility to the Bush
administration. He also criticized Bush's lack of
evidence against Saddam Huessein and his strong push for
war.

"No one has put up substantial fact that Iraq has weapons
of mass destruction. The President seems to have some
sort of blood lust," he said reminding the audience that
George W. doesn't have any military experience.

Ritter also challenged students present to consider
supporting a war if it were on a more personal level. The
average age for both college students and the Marine
Corps is 20, he reminded the audience, asking students to
consider if they would be willing to give their own life
for Iraqi disarmament.

"Ask yourself, 'Is what's going on in Iraq worthy of my
life? Am I willing to have my brother die, my father die,
my sister, my friend?'" he said. "If the answer is no,
then why, in God's name, can you sit back and have others
die for you."

Throughout the lecture, Ritter was continuously
interrupted by approving applause by the audience.
Although many expressed anti-war sentiments, others
attended simply to gather information about the impending
war.

Ritter was brought to the campus by Student Entertainment
Events after some students expressed interest stemming
from the possibility of war.

"This year we wanted to diversify the program in addition
to the light hearted entertainment," said SEE Lectures
Director, Sara McKelvey, a senior economics and
anthropology major. "I thought it was very informative,"
said economics major John Legato who still considered
himself neutral after listening to Ritter's vehement
opinions. "I wouldn't say he persuaded me but he did
eliminate some of the shades of gray."

Sophomore finance major Dan Cadenas had the same
conclusion, "I'm still formulating my opinion but he did
do a good job conveying his point," he said.

Ritter also filmed a documentary detailing his first-hand
account on the effects world economics sanctions have
previously had on the Iraqi people.

Ritter's documentary "In Shifting Sands" will be shown by
the Peace Forum in 2203 Art-Sociology Building Thursday
at 7 p.m.