Frosh, Dems Wrangle Over Libya Bombing

Twenty-five students in a Democratic Club-sponsored roundtable discussion last night unanimously agreed the U.S. was justified in taking some action against Libya but disagreed over the aims and effects of last Monday's bombing of Libyan military targets.

While most of the participants said the U.S. strike was necessary in order to show America's determination to combat terrorism, some said the attack would only unify Arab nations and goad Libyan leader Moammar Khadafy into future terrorism against U.S. citizens.

"President Reagan is clearly one to go for the quick fix," said James H. Vanderpool '89, one of the predominantly freshmen participants in the discussion in the Freshman Union's private dining room. He said he didn't think Reagan had exhausted nonmilitary options, such as economic sanctions, before deciding to attack the military bases.

But others at the discussion, moderated by Democratic Club Foreign Policy Issues Director Anupam Chander '89, said that the U.S. had no choice but to exercise its military might.

"We begged the Europeans to help us with economic sanctions," said Raymond E. O'Hare '89.

"Khadafy should see U.S. power, and realize who he's dealing with," O'Hare said. "It's ridiculous how much we put up with from little Third World countries in order to be moral," he said.

The participants also disagreed on the intent of last week's air strike, some saying that the U.S. hoped to kill Khadafy, and other maintaining the strike was meant as a general warning against terrorists worldwide.

"The attack was definitely aimed at a personal level [against Khaddafy]," said Samuel J. Lubell '89. U.S. planes bombed the Libyan leader's residence, killing his adopted daughter and wounding two of his sons.

"I don't think we can boil it down to a child in the White House throwing rocks," said Joel W. Downer '89.

"Economic sanctions just aren't strong enough," said Joanne R. Dushay '89. "You can't just submit to terrorism, or they'll just keep on doing it," Vanderpool said.

But some said that the attack would only increase terrorist attacks against the U.S.

"Khadafy will strike again," Lubell said. "He has to or he loses face in the Middle East."

"This undercuts our moral position in the world, and solidifies the Arabs against us," said Noah M. Berger '89.