THE INFORMER PAGE 2

FEBRUARY 27, 1991

“Take Action on the Issue”

Rosalie Hawrylko directed those words toward students who
were trickling out of room A117 on Jan. 30. They had come to
hear the College’s Symposium on Canada in the Gulf. It was
clear from the way the audience had been engrossed in the
proceedings that many people would indeed take action.

Close to 250 students, faculty and staff packed the All
College Lounge, with many people having to stand throughout
the session.

Paul Mier, political studies instructor, acted as moderator
and introduced the eight panelists. Here’s a rundown of the
panelists and a sampling of what they had to say:

Rosalie Hawrylko - psychology instructor, feminist:
Before the war began few people knew anything about the
political system in Iraq. “Then why should we go over there and
kill people?” U.S. motives to defend Kuwait are questionable in
light of the U.S. failure to protect women and aboriginal people
from being killed or exploited.

Cam Sylvester - political studies instructor with an interest
in international relations: The United Nations resolution to allow
the use of force in the Gulf did not fit the UN mandate for
collective security. Prime Minister Brian Mulroney is mistaken
in viewing Canada’s involvement in the Gulf as part of a “just
war.”

Dr. Noga Gayle - sociology instructor specializing in third
world politics and media: “The media presents the war in an
entertaining form. Death is not mentioned, so we don’t think
about the suffering that is taking place.” If sanctions had been

_ given enough time, Iraq's economy “would have grounded to a
halt.”

Dr. Marlene LeGates - Instructor of European and
Canadian History, instructor in the Women’s Studies program:
Contrary to what some people believe, Canadians have a long
history of participating in other people’s wars. In fact, Canadians

have lost a higher percentage of men fighting overseas than have
Americans.

Dr. Matthew Speier - sociology instructor involved in the
peace movement since 1982: The “mad dog” theory regarding
Saddam Hussein is a ploy. Although U.S. president George
Bush denies it, the control of oil is an “extremely important
element” in the war. The war is reckless, immoral, unnecessary
and tragic for the environment. “The use of nuclear weapons is a
distinct possibility.”

Bob MacDonald - international relations student who has
served four years in the Canadian armed forces infantry reserve:
Although sanctions against Iraq could have continued longer,
“this is not the time to sit on the fence just to soothe our delicate
Canadian conscience.” It was better to fight Saddam early than to
wait for his buildup of arms to become even more dangerous.

Bruce Saposnik - Israeli citizen who served in the Israeli
army, is now active in the peace movement and favors
negotiations with the Palestinians: Although the U.S. has a
history of imperialism and is not fighting for “lofty moral
reasons,” the use of force is necessary. Iraq’s ambitions spread
beyond Kuwait and threaten Israel.

Mordacai Briemberg - ESL teacher at Douglas College and
member of the Near East Cultural and Educational Foundation of
Canada: Because it has fallen below Germany and Japan in the
hierarchy of economic powers, the U.S. wants to impress the
world with its military supremacy. The U.S. wants to protect
Kuwait’s ruling family, which has $250 billion deposited in
London and New York banks. “Brian Mulroney has said that if
we don’t like his policy we can vote him out in the next election,
but he won’t be able to bring back to life that young man (who is
going to war).”

Dr. Graham Forst, who organized the symposium, has
another one in the works. The War and the Media symposium
will take place Thursday, Feb. 28, from 12:30 to 2 p.m. in the
Student Lounge, N Building.

Moneca Litton (centre),
President of Women Mean
Business, presented
Marketing student Carol Kerr
(left) with a bursary of $300.
Carol is enrolled in the
accelerated 10-month
program at the College and
will graduate this April.
Resource Development
Director Randi Duke (right)
says the bursary will be an
annual one.