The Indianapolis Star from Indianapolis, Indiana • Page 8

A8 TUESDAY, OCTOBER 8, 2002 From Page One THE INDIANAPOLIS STAR WWW.INDYSTAR.COM "In my view, (waiting) is the riskiest of all options because the longer we wait, the stronger and bolder Saddam Hussein will become. We could wait and hope that Saddam does not give weapons to terrorists, or develop a nuclear weapon to blackmail the world. But I am convinced that is a hope against all evidence." Local Muslim fears war's cost T7H i 1 mm H- I rn 1 option for eliminating one man." But there is a third issue that has broad implications. He said there is the risk of "reinforcing hatred and resentment" of the United States. "Every time you kill a civilian in a war, you are adding hate.

This is not good for Americans, because America's image should be clear and clean" Syeed said the United States' reputation has not recovered from the perception that, despite Hussein's despotism, it supported and aided his war against Iran at the same time he was murdering his own people with gas and other weapons. "He was seen as a friend of America," Syeed said. "Now what will happen is that while alienating him, common people will be killed and it will enhance the anti-American feeling." Acknowledging that he and Muslim Americans are pulled in different directions by the cur Civilian casualties could reinforce hatred of the United States, leader worries. By Howard M. Smulevitz howard.smulevitzisindystar.com If it were just Saddam Hussein who would be affected by an attack on Iraq, Sayyid M.

Syeed would applaud. "We have been praying Iraq would be liberated from him for decades," said the secretary general of the Islamic Society of North America, a Plainfield-based group that represents about 300 mosques. "He has been a problem for his own people. He has been a problem for his neighbors and he has been a symbol of corruption and oppression. Getting rid of him would be an act everyone would appreciate." But warring against Iraq poses more repercussions, the kind Mpozl Mshale DKbert staff photo Presidential appeal: Leslie Sanders, whose stepbrother Timmy Starlin was killed in Operation Desert Storm, watches President Bush speak.

She was at the Lavelle-Gossett Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 908 at 440 N. Ketcham St. on the Westside of Indianapolis. Support is mixed with concern "Every time you kill a civilian in a war, you are adding hate. This is not good for Americans." that cause Syeed to avoid endorsing President Bush's desire to use military force to oust the Iraqi leader.

"First, it is through a war. And we know what war means' Syeed said Monday from his Plainfield office. "Lots and lots of children, who have already suffered under his oppression, will become fodder for the cannons, victims of death and destruction. Veterans endorse president's push for action but worry how far such a conflict might spread. Sayyid M.

Syeed, Islamic Society of North America A large number of Americans, Muslims, Christians and Jews, feel on this point that war is not the right choice." He said the desire not to go to war is not a Muslim issue. "It is an American issue. People of all faiths are on one side in their feeling that war is not the right your children and your cats and dogs. We're going to wipe you Myers commented on the prospects of war just hours prior to a major address Monday night by President Bush in Cincinnati aimed at gaining support for action against Iraqi leader Saddam Hussein's regime. Bush has warned that Hussein is trying to acquire nuclear technology, and Bush is seeking world support for a proposed U.N.

Security Council resolution ordering Iraq to submit to weapons inspections at any time. Congress also is preparing this week to debate a resolution authorizing action against Iraq. Myers said former President George Bush made a mistake in Vote on war powers likely by Thursday 1.1 not taking Iraq when its army was routed and in a panicked retreat at the end of the Gulf War in 1991. Iraqi opposition is likely to be far stiffer this time and war could bring other Islamic countries into the fray, he says. "I can see a whole Islamic war breaking out," Myers said.

That's one of Dr. Stephen Win-termeyer's concerns. In Desert Storm, Wintermeyer was an Army captain serving as chief of medicine of a combat support hospital. When the mobile facility was in Saudi Arabia, he treated allied troops. When the unit was on Iraqi soil, he also treated wounded Iraqi soldiers.

Wintermeyer says he doesn't have enough information to know if the country should go to war. "The '90s have shown that the inspections the U.N.-overseen inspections weren't very good," said the doctor, an associ 64 for WRTV (Channel 6); Local Weather Service for WISH (Channel 8); and SkyTrak Weather Network for WTHR (Channel 13). "If (Bush) felt it were important enough, he would have requested time, and that is always granted to the president," Channel 13 general manager Rich Pegram said. -Staff Report Nations, he told world leaders they were making a reckless gamble by letting Hussein continue to build his arsenal of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. Monday, he committed to helping rebuild Iraq if Hussein is ousted.

He said U.S. aid would help create a better economy and give liberty to the Iraqis. "America is a friend of the people of Iraq," he said. Outside Cincinnati's Union Terminal, which served as a transfer point for soldiers on WITH IRAQ? "I grieve at the thought of the United States at war. But Hussein is a threat to America's national security and to world stability." U.S.

Rep. Mike Pence, R-lnd. 1 N5i White House did not request coverage wr ate professor at the Indiana University School of Medicine. However, Wintermeyer said he's concerned that if the United States acts alone, or with only Britain's support, Iraq will strike back at Israel, resulting in a counterattack from the Israelis. "Then we might have a regional war," he said.

"I'm a little wary of how big that might become." Arthur Shead, who served in the Army but never saw combat, said he supports war if it is needed but said he was confused about Iraq's weapon capabilities. "If it's absolutely necessary, I'd rather take it to them than have them bring it over here," Shead, 60, said at the American Legion Post 249 on Monday. "I can't say yes I can't say no to that, because I don't know what's true, what's fictitious." Call Terry Home at 1-317-444-6082. their way overseas in World War II, protestors offered a loud dissent. Their signs read: "Blood for Oil?" and "We don't support your political war" and "Focus on the economy." Inside, support for Bush was evident.

The Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce helped hand-pick the 700 invited guests including many loyal Republicans, businesspeople and civic leaders. "This is a great place to deliver an immensely important message," said Nick Vehr, vice president of economic development for the Greater Cincinnati Chamber of Commerce. While the protesters outside urged Bush to refrain from war for the sake of American children, Cincinnati mother Kim Wehling said she supports the war because of her three children. "I think he made the case very welL Anyone who had questions before won't now," said Wehling, whose children got to meet the president right after his speech. "This is to make the future safe for my children." Call Michele McNeil Solida at 1-317-615-2381.

"We have to be ready to take on the whole shooting match if we're gonna go there. But I trust the legislature and our president I cant say that I'd be in favor of it, but I'd support (it)." Meredith Hall, 35, Greenwood By Terry Home and Becky Bowman terry.horneindystar.com Many local war veterans support President George W. Bush's push for military action against iraq if American interests are at stake, but they also fear that it could lead to a wider regional conflict However, retired Staff Sgt. Donald F. Myers, a highly decorated Marine who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars, believes the war is necessary.

"What's wrong with Americans is that we are too nice. We don't have that ingrained mean spirit to do what is really necessary," Myers said. "We need to say, 'If you keep screwing with us, we're going to kill your mom, your dad, Bush Bush commits to helping Iraq rebuild if Hussein ousted. From A1 take on Hussein, with or without the support of the United Nations. To those who doubt the need for war, Bush offered evidence before a jury of the American people.

He described Hussein as a murderous tyrant, a homicidal dictator and a trainer of terrorists. To wait is to live in fear, Bush said. To wait is to allow Hussein to grow stronger and bolder. "We cannot wait for the final proof the smoking gun that could come in the form of a mushroom cloud," he said. A year ago Monday, the United States embarked on its war against terrorism, he noted.

And to fight Iraq is to continue to fight terror, he said. In addition to building his own arsenal of biological, chemical and possibly nuclear weapons, Hussein is training members of the al-Qaida terrorist network to do the same. rent debate, he observed that driving Iraqi forces from Kuwait 11 years ago was different "That was in a true sense a liberation of Kuwait. Everybody knew what he had done," Syeed said. "Not everybody is convinced now that he has weapons." He stressed that while the dilemma is painful for Muslims, "we share the same concerns and as Americans of all values faiths." He added there is arrogance and stubbornness on both sides an environment that does not bode well for peace.

Call Howard Smulevitz at 1-317-272-4417. an international coalition forcing Hussein to open up to inspections and disarmament. "Congress will also be sending a message to the dictator in Iraq that his only choice is full compliance, and the time remaining for that choice is limited," he said in a speech in Cincinnati "President Bush laid out the clear, compelling and overwhelming justification for action to remove the threat posed by Saddam Hussein's terror regime," said Rep. Tom DeLay of Texas, the House's No. 3 Republican.

But Rep. Dennis Kucinich, R-Ohio, a leading opponent of military action against Iraq, said Bush had "failed to make a case for a unilateral and pre-emptive strike on Iraq. War is simply a failure of diplomacy." Earlier Monday, House Majority Leader Dick Armey, R-Texas, after weeks of fence-sitting, endorsed giving Bush the authority to go to war against Iraq, while most Democratic lawmakers contended that launching the war without the international community's support would be a mistake. "I don't support a war. I have children, so it just makes me worry." Alicia Hitchcock, 34, Indianapolis iimi ii mourn i mu A' ll, irfi nm.

DO YOU Senate, House will open debate today on resolutions to let Bush use force against Iraq. By Jim Abrams Associated Press WASHINGTON Leaders in both the House and Senate said they plan to vote by Thursday on resolutions giving President Bush the authority he wants to end the threat from Saddam Hussein, the Iraqi leader Bush says is a "homicidal dictator who is addicted to weapons of mass destruction." "This is one of the most consequential questions we will deal with for years to come," said House International Relations Committee Chairman Henry Hyde, R-I1L The House planned for 21 hours of debate, beginning today, on legislation authorizing the president to use military force, if necessary, against Iraq. The Senate also opens formal debate today. On Monday evening, President Bush urged Congress to support him as he seeks to build "As a Gulf War veteran, I am filled with emotion to contemplate that my comrades will once again be on the desert floor. But my desire is to preserve freedom by action." U.S.

Rep. Steve Buyer, R-lnd. kt'ui' 1 Mr President Bush's speech was not carried by three of the four major networks because the White House didn't request network coverage. Only WXIN (Channel 59), the local Fox affiliate, had live coverage of the speech. Local affiliates for the other networks, however, did carry the speech about Iraq on their sister channels NewsChannel "Today in Iraq, we see a threat whose outlines are far more clearly defined, and whose consequences could be far more deadly," Bush said.

Saturday, he had ratcheted up his arguments for military action in his weekly radio address, when he called Hussein a "cold-blooded killer" and warned that the Iraqi leader could strike without warning that, he said, is just one more reason a pre-emptive strike is needed. Last month, as Bush tried to rally the support of the United IN HIS PUSH FOR A WAR "It will create more problems. There will be a lot of suffering and more animosity between the Middle East and the U.S. government." Ghulam Shah, 65, retired teacher SUPPORT PRESIDENT BUSH "I gotta say yeah, if needed, but it (would) need to be fairly investigated. I do trust our leader's opinions." Donald Lyles, 65, Marine veteran.