EMOTIONS RUN HIGH AS FORMER US SECRETARY OF STATE VISITS UEA JIMWHALLEY
Madelelne Albrlgbt's controversial tour of Europe continued at UEA last Wednesday when demonstrators accused the former US .Secretary of State of wai crimes. Ms Albright, arguably the most powerful woman in the history of American politics, was met by around 40 protesting students, members of University staff and local residents as she attended the University's International Literary Festival to promote her memolr, Madam Secretary. Much of the protest centred on Ms Albrighfs involvement in creating the UN's sanctions policy against Iraq. A policy that, since the end of llie first Gulf War, some believe led to the deaths of 500,000 children. Banners were erected before the talk began and leallets were handed out to the 700 people who attended the event at Lecture Theatre One. Severnl police officers and security staff were present, but only one arrest was made after a student attempted to drop eggs on Ms Albright as 路s he made her to the Waterstones book signing. Inside the lecture theatre. after 40 minutes of light conversation regarding her biography. Professor Blgsby then asked Ms Albrlght about her partlclpa-
tion in establishing sanctions against Iraq. The former Secretary of State used the opportunity to address the demonstrator's concerns stating, '"Ibe reason people are protesting Is because I made a stupid comment", referring to an interview she "gave in 1996 in which she said that human casualties resulting from sanctions were a worthwhile price to pay for impeding Saddam. While Ms Albright apologised for the comment and admitted "it's the single dumbest thing I've ever said" she insisted that, although "there Is no doubt the sanctions hurt", there were no alternatives. However, when questions were invited from the audience, Or Rupert Read, head of Philosophy at UEA and Involved in the protest. took the opportunity to retwn to the sanctions issue. He accused Ms Albright of. "like Saddam Hussein", having "blood on her hands" for not allowing the provision of necessary materials for rebuilding Iraq's health and sanitation systems. Ms Albright reacted angrily to the suggestion, stating, "I resent being compared to Saddam Hussein." She then reiterated that the other tools of International politics, diploma cy and force , had failed . and that the UN. including Great Brita in, had agreed no other actions were a vailable. Though Professor Blgsby announced the Cont, P3