Arnove Delivers Lecture on Current Iraqi Issues

Former Review Editor Lashes Out at American Policy

Social activist and former Review editor Anthony Arnove (OC '91) came to Oberlin Thursday evening to discuss the new book Iraq Under Siege: the Deadly Impact of Sanctions and War, which he edited. His visit was made possible by Senior Gillian Russom, who is the head of the Oberlin chapter of the International Socialist Organization (ISO), of which Arnove has been a member since 1993.

Since joining the ISO, Arnove has worked extensively in ISO campaigns in Haiti and in the early Iraq bombings, the latter being the source of much of the material for his book. He considered himself fortunate in that the book allowed him to combine his editing, writing and activist experiences. In addition to editing the book, he has written articles for several publications, including the International Socialist Review and Socialist Review. He is currently a book editor for South End Press, the genre of which he describes being "independent" and "left wing."

Arnove began the discussion by describing the various tactics that the United States and its allies have utilized in their attempt to enforce the trade embargo against Iraq. These include the use of a "no fly zone" over areas of northern and southern Iraq. "Most educated people I talk to translate this term as meaning an area where planes aren't allowed to fly," said Arnove, "and there's a certain logic to that."

However, he went on to explain that the term designates areas where only Iraqi planes are not allowed to fly - though U.S., British and Turkish planes are allowed to patrol. Arnove contended that indiscriminate allied bombing has devestated the infrastructure of Iraq. "In some areas of the country, power is out for eight hours a day," he said.

Arnove, who went on a 9-day tour of Iraq last spring, was appalled at the social conditions in the country, which have emerged as a result of the trade embargo and repeated bombing. He described schools as "without any teaching aids whatsoever; no desks, books, not even pencils and paper." He used slides of his trip to emphasize his words.

Arnove emphasized that despite America's consistent bombing of Iraq, natives remained genial to him. "Everywhere I went in Iraq I was welcomed," Arnove said.

Arnove asserted that the U. S.'s attempt to unseat Saddam Hussein from power by "teaching Iraq a lesson" has failed, as the poverty of the nation has served to strengthen Iraqi nationalism. He continued, saying sanctions imposed against Iraq have served to help the U.S. to assert control over a valuable oil region. He also posited the belief that the presidential candidates, Al Gore and George W. Bush (who made passing remarks about assassinating Hussein during a debate), will serve to tighten the sanctions on Iraq, and, in his eyes, worsen a situation already beginning to fall out of international favor. In his mind, community action similar to that which took place during the Vietnam War is necessary. He remains faithful that if the plight of the Iraqis were brought to the eyes of mainstream America, popular sympathy would emerge.

After the lecture Arnove stayed after to argue with individual audience members. He refuted claims that the US intentions in the Middle East were benevolent, stating "I've got the facts on my side," and that those convinced to the contrary had been "bought and sold" by governmental interests. He challenged these audience members to look at his book, for a more complete description of the bombing.