Issue date: 4/21/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Stephen Fogg Paul Bremer, former ambassador and presidential envoy to Iraq, speaks at the MSC WiIley Lecture Series Friday night in Rudder Auditorium. Bremer was one of three speakers for the lecture, 'Iraq: The Road Ahead.' [Click to enlarge]

In celebration of its 25th anniversary, the Memorial Student Center Wiley Lecture Series organized an expert panel for their program, "Iraq: The Road Ahead," Friday.

Lee Gunter, chairman of the Wiley Lecture Series Committee, began the program with moderator Bernard Kalb, introducing the distinguished panelists.

"One of the biggest issues on the minds of Texas A&M students and voters is the current war in Iraq," Gunter said. "Though approval of the current military leadership on the ground and recent troop surge has increased, a majority of Americans contend that the benefits of the war are not worth the costs and that the U.S.-led invasion was a mistake. As dissent over the war and military costs continue to rise, this is a pressing topic that our generation must address."

Following introductions, panelists introduced insight to the topics and how their assessment has developed into the future direction they see for rebuilding efforts and security measures in Iraq.

Former Rep. Lee Hamilton, D-Ind., said he agrees with Defense Secretary Robert Gates that the focus should remain on the most important military component: training Iraqis to be able to secure their own national integrity.

Hamilton, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives for 34 years, was co-chairman of the Iraq Study Group with former Secretary of State James Baker.

Sustainability is the key political question for voters, Hamilton said, "How long will American people have to support this effort?"

Hamilton said that the U.S. must be prepared to provide the necessary resources to enable Iraq to be independently sustainable, a decision that will be made by the next president. "There is a dangerous array of new challenges that face the new president, and he or she must move quickly," he said.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools