Peter McPherson being honored for his work in Iraq and at MSU
Peter McPherson being honored for his work in Iraq and at MSU
(Holland, June 25, 2004, 1:37 p.m.) Michigan State University President Peter McPherson spent months in Iraq helping to set up Iraq's economic system.
24 Hour News 8 caught up with McPherson who was in Holland Friday. He is being honored with a state Senate resolution for his work not only in Iraq but also at MSU as he is set to step down as president of that institution at the end of this year.
When asked if he plans on going back to Iraq after the first of the year, McPherson says he doesn't.
With what's currently going on in Iraq with 100 civilians who were killed Thursday alone, keeping one's distance would seem wise. But McPherson doesn't think that the insurgent's plan to disrupt the planned turnover of power to the people will work. "I think it's a high gamble. What they're trying to do is to create such instability that it will be very difficult to have confidence in the new structure. I think what happens in the next few weeks will be very important," he says.
If the transfer of power in Iraq goes as planned, McPherson has hopes for an Iraq with a bright future in part because it will be able to return to the way it was long ago. "Iraq had the per capita income of Australia 30 years ago. Iraq has seven major universities and lots of trained people. They'll have a stream of revenue if you get the security and political issues ironed out. Iraq will have a very strong and growing economy in the time to come," he adds.
A recent Washington Post survey shows that a large majority of Iraqis are supporting the interim government of Iraq's prime minister. When asked about this survey, McPherson smiled and said it is in fact very good news and proves some of his optimism
