U.S. University Defers Branch Campus in Occupied Territories

By Andrea Lorenz

In November, the University of New Haven, a private four-year institution in Connecticut, announced plans to open a branch campus in Israeli-occupied territory in February 1993 (see Dec. '92/Jan. '93 Washington Report). It would be the first American academic institution established on occupied Arab land to serve a mostly Israeli student body. Whether in response to mounting opposition from peace groups or for "security reasons," university officials announced on Jan. 5 that they have decided to delay opening the school. UNH President Lawrence J. DeNardis said in a press release, "Heightened political tensions in the region during the past couple of weeks have caused us to want to review our plans for this branch very carefully. "

Since UNH officials unveiled plans to open the HaSharon branch in the Jewish settlement of El Kana, 12 miles east of Tel Aviv, opposition to the project has grown steadily. The most prominent of those opposed is Israeli Minister of Education Shulamit Aloni, who not only sent UNH President DeNardis a letter in August stating her objections, but also dispatched one of her representatives to discuss the matter with U.S. Ambassador William Harrop. A Dec. 11 Ha'aretz article stated, "[Minister] Aloni's office is determined to do everything in order to prevent the establishment of the Sharon University."

Also opposed to UNH's plans is the Israeli organization Peace Now. The Jerusalem Post quoted Peace Now representative Amiram Goldblum as saying that despite claims in the official university literature that Arabs and Jews will study together, "the only Arabs able to get into the university will be those who come to clean." In addition, the National Lawyers Guild, the International Jewish Peace Union, the Middle East Network of United Methodists, and Bir Zeit University have voiced opposition.

In early December, several members of Congress sent a letter to the State Department asking about its position on the matter. The State Department would not release its response but told the Washington Report that it has been in ongoing contact with Dr. DeNardis. In addition, a Jan. 6 New York Times article quoted a Department official as calling the plan "very unwise," adding that it showed "little sensitivity for the ongoing peace process."

American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee President Albert Mokhiber applauded UNH's decision to delay opening the campus. However, he told the Washington Report, "We will not be totally satisfied until they abandon their plans." He said ADC will continue to organize student opposition on U.S. campuses and to mobilize sympathetic grass-roots organizations to oppose establishment of the UNH branch.

Exploring the Frontiers of the Cyberworld

Arab World and Islamic Research and School Services (AWAIR), an association that develops pre-collegiate resources on the Arab and Islamic worlds, is keeping up with the computer-literate younger generation. It is now able to reach thousands of students and teachers instantaneously via a computer network called PeaceNet. Through PeaceNet, a networking tool developed by the Association for Progressive Communications, AWAIR now maintains contact with educators worldwide. AWAIR's program coordinator, Jennifer Smith, facilitates six of PeaceNet's conferences (discussion groups) on the Middle East. Participants post articles, bulletins and action alerts, as well as lists of resources. AWAIR also communicates with teachers and students through KidLink, a computer program that connects classrooms all over the world. Users interested in helping distribute information to their local nodes may contact AWAIR at its E-Mail address: awair~igc.apc.org.

California Children Touch the Hearts of Turkish Citizens

In October, AWAIR was approached by the fourth-grade class of Bellevue-Santa Fe Elementary School in San Luis Obispo, CA, who asked how they could send messages of condolence to Turkey. The children had written letters of apology to the Turkish people following the "friendly fire" tragedy last September in which a U.S. missile hit a Turkish naval ship in the Aegean, killing the ship's captain and several crew members.

Through PeaceNet, AWAIR posted the children's letters, which were received by users in Turkey. Following are two of the nearly 40 responses from Turkey received by the American children:

To the Children of San Luis Obispo: I just read your condolences which appeared in a computer network about the Turkish crew members killed by two U. S. Sea Sparrow guided missiles in the Aegean Sea last month.

As somebody who had worked closely with the victim destroyer's captain for two and a half years in the past, I took it as my responsibility to reply to your considerate letters.

Kudret Gungor, the captain of the shot destroyer, was killed with three of his crew members by accidental U.S. fire while the U.S. and Turkish Navy were in a joint exercise. He was one of the youngest officers to command a destroyer in the Turkish Navy. I remember him as a young lieutenant, a new graduate from the Turkish War Academy, starting his new assignment as an Operations Officer where I also was stationed back in 1982. I had the pleasure to work under his command for more than two years, and I had no doubt that a bright future was in front of him. He was energetic, charming, fair, friendly, and very sharp. He loved children, and was a father of two.

Knowing him that closely, I truly believe that your letters would touch him, and he would wholeheartedly accept your apologies. Knowing that this is not the first tragic accident, not the first friendly fire in the history of mankind, we can only hope it is the last.

Considering how sincere and compassionate each and every one of you were in your letters, we truly believe that the future is brighter than one might think. You made us believe that American children can be an example to the rest of the world as peace and consensus builders; by your awareness of world affairs, by better educating and hence better preparing yourselves for the future, by contributing to the relentless process of democracy with your votes when the time comes, by respecting other children's and people's rights regardless of what race and nationality they come from.

And yes, our children would love to hear from you, and would love to meet you if you ever visit them sometime. You have touched our hearts.

Sincerely,

Metin G. Ozisik

Hello, my name is Kerem Durdag and I would like to thank you for your letters. It is a reminder that if the rest of the world held onto a little bit of their childhood, maybe, just maybe, the world might be a better place to live.

Just remember, my friends, never forget what you have done in writing your letters: you touched the face of another part of the world, breaking the barrier of race, language and distance. In this, you are perhaps the only hope for the future.

Carpe diem.

Kerem Durdag

P.S. And, oh yeah, I am a Turk!

Educators List Favorite Teaching Resources

In November, the American Educational Trust asked secondary school and university teachers to list their favorite teaching resources on the Middle East. Among the most popular choices named by the 16 educators* are the following books—all of which are available from the AET Book Club.

Arab World Notebook edited by Audrey Shabbas, produced by Arab World and Islamic Research and School Services (AWAIR).

The Question of Palestine by Edward Said, published by Vintage.

Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Fernea, published by Doubleday.

From Beirut to Jerusalem by Thomas Friedman, published by Anchor Books.

Assassination of Light: Modern Saudi Short Stories translated by Heinrichsdorf and Abu Bakr Bagader, published by Three Continents Press.

A Woman of Nazareth by Hala Deeb Jabbour, published by Olive Branch Press.

Wild Thorrzs by Sahar Khalifeh, published by Olive Branch Press.

The Arabs, Journey Beyond the Mirage by David Lamb, published by Random House.

The Crusades Through Arab Eyes by Amin Maalouf, published by Schocken.

Midaq Alley by Naguib Mahfouz, published by Three Continents Press.

Amal and the Shi'a: Struggle for the Soul of Lebanon by Augustus Norton, published by University of Texas Press.

Asad by Patrick Seale, published by University of California Press.

Year of the Elephant, A Moroccan Woman's Journey Toward Independence by Leila Abouzeid, published by University of Texas Press.

Khul Khaal by Nayra Atiya, published by Syracuse University Press.

Middle Eastern Muslim Women Speak by Elizabeth Fernea and Basima Bezirgan, published by University of Texas Press.

*Educators who would like to be included in future surveys for this column are invited to contact the writer.

Andrea W. Lorenz is the features editor of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs.