To mark the second annual Global Perspective Lecture Series, Ambassador Richard W. Murphy, former assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern and south Asian affairs, addressed UB students and faculty Monday afternoon in the Student Union Theater.
Murphy expounded on his viewpoints of international affairs, the government's challenges since Sept. 11, and education in today's changing world, but focused primarily on the Bush administration's actions concerning Iraq and the Arab-Israeli peace process.
"It's a can of worms to speak politely about the politics in Middle East," Murphy said, with a chuckle.
Murphy, who served for 34 years as a Foreign Service officer, said many conflicts arise over thoughts about democratic ideals, explaining that the United States has an obligation to side with Israel because of their status as a democracy.
"We must start to do what we neglected these past years - foster democracy (and) change our outlook in the Middle East," said Murphy, who is also a commentator for CNN and NBC and has written for the New York Times and the Christian Science Monitor.
Murphy described the United States as a "hyper power," meaning the nation sets precedents for the rest of the world to follow.
"Do we as people have the stamina to see this though?" Murphy asked. "If we help foster democracy, will results prove that democrats don't like to declare war on other democrats?"
According to Murphy, the Arab media infringes on the Middle East's ideas of democracy by dictating what appears in print and only giving one side of the Middle Eastern conflict by showing only Israeli brutality against the Palestinians.
The ambassador said the United States' dependence on oil keeps the government from declaring war on Arab countries and he dismissed the belief that the United States must rely on Arab countries for oil, citing other countries that could provide the resource.
"Let's be friends with the Russians - they have oil," he said. "Oil - it shaped Arab thinking about the government and reinforced the autocratic behavior of the government. Oil has not been a blessing, but a curse for the society, according to Arab workers."
While many people may think a war against Iraq could be dangerous, Murphy said he agrees with President George W. Bush's decision to go to war, on the grounds that the United States must not tolerate terror by Sadaam Hussein.
Murphy accused Hussein of possessing weapons of mass destruction, claiming the Iraqi dictator lied to weapons inspectors.
According to the ambassador, United States is expected to receive a resolution from the United Nations Security Council, which would call for an inspection of Iraqi weapons facilities.
"I am glad that the president went to United Nations, although now he is accused of abusing the U.N.," Murphy said. "But if we move with (the) U.N., we will be in a better position with Iraq."
Murphy said the final solution to the Middle Eastern peace problems would probably come from massive peace talks and societal political involvement.
He said leaders should "get out and revive (the) idea that there is a political solution."
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
