Chestertown, Maryland - Scott Ritter to speak to Washington College January 30
Chestertown, MD, January 6, 2003 Scott Ritter, former Chief Weapons Inspector for the United Nations Special Commission in Iraq (UNSCOM), will discuss WAR WITH IRAQ: HOW DID WE GET HERE? on Thursday, January 30, 2003, at 7:30 p.m. in Washington Colleges Hynson Lounge. This timely talk is free and the public is encouraged to attend.
As a chief weapons inspector for the UNSCOM, Ritter was labeled a hero by some, a maverick by others, and a spy by the Iraqi government. Ritter has had an extensive and distinguished career in government service. He is a ballistic missile technology expert who worked in military intelligence during a 12-year career in the U.S. armed forces, including assignments in the former Soviet Union and in the Middle East. In 1991, Ritter joined UNSCOM and took part in more than 30 inspection missions, 14 as chief. In 1995, his team discovered in Iraq missile guidance equipment purchased from Russia through a Palestinian agent. In January 1998, he led the U.N. weapons inspectors back to Iraq only to blocked by Iraqi officials who accused him of being a spy. Following Iraqs decision to block further inspections, Ritter found the U.S. and the U.N. Security Council unwilling to confront Iraqs position and resigned proclaiming that the illusion of arms control is more dangerous than no arms control at all. His experience in enemy territory has resulted in a book, Endgame: Solving the Iraq problem Once and for All, and a film exposing the results of Americas foreign policy in the Persian Gulf and the devastating effects of the United Nations economic sanctions on the people of Iraq.
The talk is sponsored by Washington Colleges William James Forum and Goldstein Program in Public Affairs, established in honor of the late Louis L. Goldstein, 1935 alumnus and Marylands longest serving elected official. The Goldstein Program sponsors lectures, symposia, visiting fellows, travel and other projects that bring students and faculty together with leaders in public policy and the media.
The Goldstein Program, directed by Daniel L. Premo, Curator of the Goldstein Program, works closely with other groups on campus involved in sponsoring related activities.
Daniel Premo
Professor of Political Science & International Studies
Education: B.A., Western Michigan University, 1956; M.A., University of Texas,1967; Ph.D., University of Texas, 1972.
E-mail: dpremo2@washcoll.edu
Campus Extension: (800)422-1782, ext. 7769
Office Location: Daly 105
Office Hours, Fall 2002: M/W/TH - 2:30-4:00
Biography: http://daniel.premo.washcoll.edu
Additional Information:
Louis L. Goldstein Professor in Public Affairs
Curator, Goldstein Program in Public Affairs;
Ewwwwwwwwwwww! He's in Maryland! Will he be introduced to the student body by Pete Townshend?