Briar Cliff hosts debate on possibility of peace in Middle East

By JoAnn Ammann, Globe Intern
Feb.1, 2007

Dr. Tom Boeke and Sister Grace Ann Witte of Briar Cliff University took on the topic of whether or not there can be peace in the Middle East this past week at the faculty debate this past week. Students, faculty, administration and members of the Siouxland area were on hand to hear the two professors voice their opinions on whether there could be peace in Iraq. The debate was sponsored by the Faculty Development Committee of Briar Cliff University.

Of the 2,546 years of Iraq's existence, the country has been at war for 1,917 of those according to Boeke's presentation.

"I am not for war, but really am pessimistic," said Boeke, after opening his debate Jan. 25, saying that he doesn't think peace in the Middle East is possible. Boeke, executive vice president and provost of Briar Cliff University, listed several reasons as to why peace was not possible.

Some of the major factors Boeke listed were the resurgence of Arab nationalism, oil and the state systems and nationalism of the countries.

"This Arab nationalism has something to do with the Arab people's ongoing desire for political independence from foreign powers," said Boeke. "They want freedom from foreign domination and this frustration grew throughout the post-World War II era."

Boeke continued to defend his argument as to why war was necessary for an outcome for the war.

"War is a rational instrument, there are those that say war is rational and those that say there are other ways to settle disputes through courts, tribunals, elections, negotiations, and flipping a coin," Boeke said. "It all depends; every system has core values they cannot compromise. War is the last resort. Most people value non-violence, but apparently there are those people who value other things more than non-violence and are willing to make the ultimate sacrifice, the cost of human life, in order to protect their core values."

He finished his argument by stating, "I'm not hopeful about the prospects of peace in the Middle East during my lifetime or yours."

Sister Grace Ann Witte, OSF, was the counterpoint in the argument, saying she feels that peace is possible within BCU freshmen's lifetime.

"First year students will hopefully live to the ripe old age of 90," said Witte. "The goal is to accomplish peace in the Middle East from now until about 2070."

The three points that Sister Grace Ann used to support her argument were: a faith and Franciscan based perspective, the second based on sociology and last her arguments were developments that she called signs of hope and development in the rule of laws in international affairs and restorative justice.

She explained that the Franciscan value was key in developing peace.

"All creation had come into existence to prepare for the coming of Christ," said Sister Grace Ann. That is to develop a world of peace, justice and love, a world in the image of Christ. We Franciscans believe that Christ would become one of us, incarnate, to celebrate a world of peace and justice, now it's our responsibility to direct history toward that peace of kingdom, in which the lion lies down with the lamb, as Isaiah says."

Witte also recognized that there have been people in history that have previously been martyrs for peace without war and violence.

"Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. have helped us tremendously to move non-violently toward that vision of justice and peace. Non-violence civil disobedience not augmented in the 20th Century and obviously not a special prerogative Christians, has helped us see that if we have enough courage there is an alternative to war and violence," said Sister Grace Ann. "I must believe that peace in the Middle East is possible and that I must work to make it happen."

She also added on to her argument stating that personal belief would be the key to the process of peace in the Middle East.

"If we believe peace is not possible, it will not happen. If we won't make the effort, we won't marshal the non-violent force that creates the attitudes and institutions that will make peace happen," said Witte. "It's crucial to believe that peace is possible, even in the Middle East, maybe most especially in the Middle East, so that we will most use the wisdom of the ages as well as the increased contemporary understanding of the insanity of the war and the dynamics of peace building in order to make peace happen even in the middle east."

She finished stating that the United States needs to deal with their occupation in Iraq.

"We need to figure out how we can disengage ourselves without leaving a country in chaos. A war on terror makes no sense," said Witte. "We are in military occupation in Iraq and we do not have any military objective."

Junior John Guetter, business administration major from Wabasso, Minn., attended the event to see what the faculty had to say about the possible outcome. "I thought it would be really interesting to hear what the faculty and staff had to say about the turmoil in the Middle East," said Guetter.

Guetter also commented on the fact that there is no obvious answer to the war. "There's no clear cut answer whether or not the war in the Middle East will be resolved or that the conflict will end in peace," said Guetter. "But, I do know that there is a chance and we have to do whatever we can to help out."