Reader Forum Why the U.S. must keep troops in the Middle East By SCOTT M. REED On Wednesday, Sept. 19, I was dis mayed at the editorial opinion of The Daily Collegian. It was entitled "Time to Go, The United States has completed its job in the Gulf, should leave now." As a military person for six years in the Navy and currently in the Army Nation al Guard, I would like to give my reac tion to this article. I have to ask, "What job has been completed?" Was it to show the world that the United States can move over 100,000 troops and their equipment to a Middle East country? No! Our job was to assist Saudi Arabia in protecting its borders and to provide a military option if diplomatic relations could not free Kuwait. It was stated in the opinion that, "President Bush was right to send American forces to the Gulf when Sad dam Hussein invaded Kuwait." What has changed? Nothing! It appears now that Saddam Hussein will not pull out of Kuwait, and if his position is not changed through diplomacy and eco nomic sanctions, there is only one option the military. Without a military, diplomacy is an empty word. In the article, alternatives to the cur rent situation were mentioned. They include: maintaining economic sanc tions and a small peacekeeping force. Let me address each one of these so called solutions. The economic sanctions are already being enforced by the multi-national EYEWEAR SPECIAL 2 PAIR SOFT CONTACT LENSES 1 PAIR PRESCRIPTION EYEGLASSES 1 PAIR PLANO SUNGLASSES $12995 INCLUDED COMPLETE PACKAGE INCLUDES: 2 PAIR CIBA SOFT - CON EW SOFT CONTACT LENSES, 1 PAIR EYEGLASSES (SV UNTINTED GLASS LENSES AND PLASTIC FASHION FRAME), 1 PAIR PLANO SUNGLASSES, RX PLANO TO 4.00 NEAR SIGHTED, EYE EXAM, CONTACT LENS CASE, CONTACT LENS SOLUTIONS. SAVE 10%40% OFF ALL FRAMES Includes fabeneltal •t• OFFER THRU OCTOBER 31 DR. ANDREW BLENDER Optometrist PHONE 234-1515 242 CALDER WAY STATE COLLEGE naval forces in the Persian Gulf by mil itary ships. (Another good reason to keep the military presence.) Also, there are leaks through Jordan and Iran that will make our stay even longer in Saudi Arabia. Since these leaks will delay the economic strain, our stamina for keep ing our forces in Saudi Arabia must be maintained. A small peacekeeping force is not an answer either. Any small force would be no match for the military machine of Iraq. Hussein has been building his forces ever since the end of the Iran- Iraq war. Even a force large enough to delay an Iraq attack would require numbers very close to the amount sus tained at this time especially when cal culating the possible use of chemical weapons. A small force could be crushed before reinforcements could arrive from the U.S., and we would be fighting an uphill battle. Not to mention the loss of life in such a useless endeav or. Also, there is no United Nations peacekeeping force in Saudi Arabia (as stated in the opinion). It is a multi national force provided by the United States, United Kingdom, France, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Syria. There is a large difference between the two. Furthermore, Hussein did not take Saudi Arabia, but he may have plans to take it soon. Kuwait was a pushover for Iraq, and Iraq has always been looking to expand its borders. It tried to take Iran and lost. It has taken Kuwait and the next two possibilites are Jordan and Saudi Arabia because they have the weakest military in comparison to other countries bordering Iraq. Hussein has taken the tactics of all beginning empires tale one country at a time. Hussein is not stalled. He is just wait ing for America to beat itself. Soon, we'll lose our commitment to Kuwait The USG Supreme Court hereby gives notice that we will hold open hearings on Sunday, October 7, 1990 to discuss the registration of proposed undergraduate student organizations. Discussion \vill take place in room 227 HUB at the following - times, for the following groups: 7:4k) pill \merit an Stu( leih Assoc - hitioti 8:00 tmi -So i<'tv ill Mornit‘h hiring; Higineers 8:20 pill- Thc I '<lin stdu< S(lirish (AA) All students are invited to participate in the discussion of proposed undergraduate student organizations, and are invited to do so. This week only! Top of the line! alma REE- Features: •64 cache memory •IMB memory •Hercules 14 in. graphics •40MB IDE drive •Weitek or Intel coprocessor support •1 year warranty retail price $3995 our special price $3295 complete (limited quantities available) MMASTER COMPUTER 311 S. 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We will live up to our name given to us by the North Vietnamese in the '6os —"The paper tiger." If we don't stand up against Saddam Hussein now, we will OMNI 1 451 Railroad Ave, FAST, FREE DELIVERY aft \ a \c'citcir „ U. Amb Einffiptee ' Oman h Yemen Collegian Graphic / Jennifer Flannery fight him later when he takes another country and has nuclear weapons. I ask that every American stand behind our friends, and relatives serving the mili tary in Saudi Arabia. As a person in the military, I can appreciate the support. Furthermore, the article stated that domestic issues were being neglected r ..1 I $3.95 I , I CHEESE PIZZA Stew nal Delivery Hews: Sunday thru Thursday 4pm to lam • Friday and Saturday 4pm to 2am No Coupon Requited • This Offer May Not End Color Copies Illustrations • Portfolios • Graphs Flyers • Photographs • Resumes Storyboards • Certificates I Open 24 Hours 1 1 237-1317 i L 224 W. College Ave. -I The Daily Collegian Friday, Sept. 28,1990- because of the current crisis. Domestic issues do need attention, but pulling troops out of Saudi Arabia will not change the agenda. Attention will be brought on some other issue of little impact like flag burning instead of the homeless and the budget deficit. On the other hand, I do agree with the editorial's position that prejudice against Arab Americans is unjust. They are not in Iraq behind a rifle. These peo ple are not the enemy. They have rights like all other Americans. However, I would like to add some points to the comments on the United State's energy options. It has been too long since this countries has taken any realistic steps on an energy policy. Since the 19705, America has experi enced an energy crisis at least once every decade. Following these crisies, we experience high inflation and trou bled economic times. It is time that we revive and sustain goals for incresed energy independence. There must be an initiative to increase research on solar and fusion power. The use of wind and hydroelectric power must be expanded. The mandatory federal mileage rating must be followed. If we don't begin and continue steps to wean America from foreign oil dependence, the United States will cyclically experience these economic and political problems time and time again. Scott M. Reed is a senior majoring in political science Medium 12" Pima • Your Choice of Thin or Thick Crust Traditional Toppings $l.OO im - 7.10P777.mi bL T E 234-1191 1.39 w/(oupon Now Copy in Full Color! kinkost the copy center
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