On Wednesday, Patrick Theros (SFS ‘63), former American Ambassador to Qatar, called upon the Bush administration to present an effective post-war plan before considering military action in Iraq.
Theros, an active member of the local Greek community, was brought to Georgetown by the Hellenic Club.
Theros said he did not wish to reveal his position on whether or not war is the most appropriate course of action. Instead, he suggested that if the United States does engage in military action, it should have a clear understanding of its “endgame” plan. He presented several options for post-war action.
Theros said that one course of action under consideration is the installation of an Iraqi exile regime, which is sponsored by the United States. But he called the group “mercenary exiles” and strongly cautioned against leaving the country in the hands of a “kleptocracy.”
Theros also discussed a plan by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld that suggests that the overwhelming will for democracy among the Iraqi people would negate the need for significant post-war involvement by the United States. Theros dismissed this option as “laughable.”
Instead, Theros called for a large-scale occupation by the United States, with troops numbering in the hundreds of thousands.
According to Theros, this is a “military and police issue … [with] no high-tech solution.” He noted the high cost of maintaining such a presence overseas and stressed that it would be paid for entirely by American tax dollars.
Theros said he disagreed with the proposal that the United States take control of Iraqi oil fields to finance the war.
“I can think of no better plan to unite the Iraqi people against us,” Theros said.
The existing civil administration in Iraq would provide a strong foundation for a new regime, Theros said. He cited support for the local administration and the maintenance of order as the two main responsibilities of the United States.
Theros also discussed the possibility that although a war would likely result in the death of Saddam Hussein, it may not be successful and could be extremely costly. While heavy casualties could affect the United States, he also pointed to the collapse of the Jordanian economy and the escalation of other regional conflicts as possible consequences of the war.
Theros advocated a quick and overwhelming “blitzkrieg” which Iraq would have little chance of resisting. He called this option the least susceptible to biological and chemical retaliation, as well as heavy casualties.
Students viewed the speech as informative and well-supported. Maria Troulakis (FLL ‘03), the vice president of the Hellenic Club, said that she thought Theros presented a “very balanced speech.” Emil Totonchi (SFS ‘06), cofounder of Peace Action, an anti-war group on campus, said the speech was informative, but only confirmed his fears about the impending war in Iraq.
