Trustees sign statement supporting policy in Iraq

Last week several Princeton trustees and prominent alumni signed their names to an advertisement urging President Bush to "stay the course" in Iraq and the war on terrorism.

The statement, which was signed by about 50 prominent individuals, was published in The New York Times and The Washington Post.

"We are doing this just as Americans or as individuals participating in the American process of trying to do our part and our bit in our democracy," said Dennis Keller '63, a University trustee who signed the statement.

The advertisement was not affiliated with any institution; however, a few Princeton alumni were active in asking others to support it, according to Wilbur Gantz '59, one of the signatories.

"I look on this as something that's not likely to change the course of history, but it's likely to make a statement and an expression of support," Gantz said.

The advertisement read, "We believe history has demonstrated the necessity of a worldwide, unrelenting fight against terror in all its forms. We believe the United States is following the right course of action in Operation Iraqi Freedom and in leading the global war on terrorism. Mr. President, we are in full support and we agree with you that America must stay the course."

The advertisement was placed in two of the nation's largest papers to reach as many readers as possible. In The Washington Post, the statement was accompanied by a quotation from Abraham Lincoln.

"This is a national issue, not a local issue, and certainly The New York Times and the Washington Post have national exposure," Gantz said.

Earl Shapiro '61 stressed the importance of publishing the advertisement in The New York Times because of what he referred to as its "distorted" editorial views.

"I think they emphasize the negative and disregard the positive," Shapiro said. "I think it's important that Americans know that there are a large number of Americans who support the policy."

'Credibility'

Several Princeton alums defined the statement that "America must stay the course" as a call to remain in Iraq.

"'Stay the course' means to not pull out just because there are political pressures or other kinds of pressures to withdraw from Iraq," said John Sherrerd '52, a former Princeton trustee who supported the ad.

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"I think our credibility is on the line on top of everything else — if we start something and then the going gets tough and then we pull out, our foreign credibility will be pretty low."

Gantz said staying the course means the United States needs to "fight through a difficult time in allowing the country to get back on its feet and to have the opportunity of setting up an infrastructure that's able to rule the country."

Reestablishing connections

Shapiro said his time as a student at the University greatly shaped his attitude toward the Middle East.

"When I was at Princeton, the Near Eastern Studies department was a very powerful and attractive and almost romantic department that had wide appeal to almost everyone in the school," Shapiro said.

"There was great discussion about the power of Islamic institutions and Islamic history, and the natural affinity Islam had with the United States. Part of 'staying the course' is trying to reestablish these connections," he said.

Other Princetonians who signed the advertisement included James Denny '54, Steve Forbes '70, Robert Murley '72, Robert D. Stuart, Jr. '37, Alexander D. Stuart '72, H. Kirk Unruh, Jr. '70 and Paul Wythes '55.