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August 2, 2002

Dear Phil Donahue and Producers....

Thank you for having Scott Ritter on.

I do not believe the real issue between the US and Iraq is or ever has been
weapons of mass destruction. I believe we are a country that has trouble
backing out of bad policies and saying we were wrong. The more we are told
that Iraq poses no threat and sanctions have killed hundreds of thousands
of children, the more married we become to the policy. I think that Bush is
looking for an endgame. He will not get one, because while the US cannot
lose the war, there is no way we will win the peace if we invade Iraq.
Winning militarily = losing diplomatically.

This is a no-win situation. You can make lemonade from lemons
alright....but not from urine!

The Middle East is America's "tarbaby."

The only exit strategy is to exit. End the sanctions and help with
reconstruction of Iraq.

One more thought. During the Gulf War, Israel said they would get back at
Iraq for the SCUD attacks, in their own time, and in their own way. Given
the leverage the "Israel lobby" exhibits on our foreign policy,  is it
possible that our continuing sanctions and bombing regime over Iraq is
Israel's revenge?

Again, thank you for having Mr. Ritter on tonight. I look forward to it.

Claiborne M. Clark
Durham, NC

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