September 26, 2002 - Chicago Daily Herald: Afghanistan RPCV Thomas Gouttierre says U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq

Peace Corps Online: Peace Corps News: Headlines: Peace Corps Headlines - 2002: 09 September 2002 Peace Corps Headlines: September 26, 2002 - Chicago Daily Herald: Afghanistan RPCV Thomas Gouttierre says U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq

By Admin1 (admin) on Thursday, September 26, 2002 - 7:03 pm: Edit Post

Afghanistan RPCV Thomas Gouttierre says U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq





Read and comment on this story from the Chicago Daily Herald on Afghanistan RPCV Thomas Gouttierre who says U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq. Gouttierre said he thinks Iraq's Saddam Hussein needs to be removed, but believes the timing for war now is not good. He also said the lack of support from the United Nations as well as a lack of firm evidence that Iraq is linked with terrorism should keep the Bush administration away from war right now.

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U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq, scholar argues*

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U.S. should focus on Afghanistan, not Iraq, scholar argues
By Max Seigle Daily Herald Staff Writer
Posted on September 26, 2002

The United States should keep its focus on rebuilding Afghanistan rather than taking on Iraq in a war, according to an Afghan expert who spoke to McHenry County College students, staff and area residents Wednesday.

"We are at a crossroads right now with what we are going to do with Afghanistan," said Thomas Gouttierre, keynote speaker Wednesday morning at the college's ABC Breakfast Series.

Gouttierre serves as dean of International Studies and director of the Center for Afghan Studies at the University of Nebraska in Omaha. He has spent time in Afghanistan working for the Peace Corps and with the United Nations studying Osama bin Laden.

After the speech, Gouttierre said he believes bin Laden is dead. Gouttierre speculated on the al-Qaida's leader's death, citing bin Laden's need for kidney dialysis and his back problems. Hiding from the public eye as long as he has likely would exacerbate those problems, he said.

Gouttierre said he does think Iraq's Saddam Hussein needs to be removed, but believes the timing for war now is not good.

He also said the lack of support from the United Nations as well as a lack of firm evidence that Iraq is linked with terrorism should keep the Bush administration away from war right now.

Instead, he said the U.S. government needs to continue working to help Afghanistan.

"We haven't done well in Afghanistan, which we promised we would do," he said. "My feeling is first things first (before going to war with Iraq)."

Gouttierre described the country as an ally to the United States because civilians there realize the importance of Western aid in rebuilding their nation - not to mention the United States' support during the Cold War and more recently while fighting the Taliban.

From his experience working there, Gouttierre said Afghans admire Americans and are "exceedingly hospitable" to them.

MCC interim President Dennis Massey said having speakers on campus like Gouttierre, who spreads an international message, is important.

"It shows a commitment of the college to international affairs and an international understanding," Massey said.



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