November 11, 2002

FORMER U.N. WEAPONS INSPECTOR TO SPEAK AT BOISE STATE

Scott Ritter, former U.N. weapons inspector and author of the book "Endgame," will speak at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, in the Boise State University Student Union Hatch Ballroom. His talk will focus on the War on Iraq and whether or not it is justified. In examining this topic, Ritter will deliver a first-hand account of the effect of the imposed sanctions on the Iraqi people. His discussion will also cover the controversial topic of weapons of mass destruction.

Ritter, a ballistic missile technology expert, has had an extensive career in government service. He worked in military intelligence during his 12-year career in the U.S. armed forces including assignments in the former Soviet Union and the Middle East. In 1991, Ritter joined the United Nations weapons inspections team (UNSCOM). He has taken part in more than 30 inspections, 14 of them as chief. In 1998, Ritter resigned from the U.N. Special Commissions team in protest over the Clinton Administration’s policies that he said subverted the weapons inspection process.

This lecture is sponsored by Boise State Student Programs Board and is open to the public. They anticipate that Ritter’s viewpoint will challenge beliefs and promote discussion on the situation in Iraq. This is keeping with the mission statement that the board "shall be responsible for implementing a series of events that will: challenge beliefs, encourage involvement, empower the individual, educate others, inspire action and entertain the soul, all while creating a sense of community and university pride." Tickets are available at the door. General admission is $5 and students are free. For more information call 426-1223.

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Jason McFarlane

Student Programs Board

426-4239

Pat Pyke

communications and marketing

426-1987

Patri Ann Thompson

communications and marketing

426-3196