WKU News & Events

April 03, 2002

McConnell Discusses War On Terrorism
In Visit To WKU

Bowling Green, Ky. - Even though U.S. military actions in Afghanistan have been successful, the war on

terrorism is far from over, U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell told Western Kentucky University students Tuesday.

"The enemy is, in effect, organized gangsterism," McConnell said in remarks to kick off Government Month at WKU. "The al-Qaida outfit is a gang."

While most of al-Qaida's leaders are in Afghanistan, U.S. officials believe the group has members in 60 countries including the United States, which makes finding the enemy more difficult, he said.

"This is not as easily done as when you have a clear geographical place on the map that you can clean up and after that conclude that success has been achieved," McConnell said. "But you have to start somewhere. And where we started was in Afghanistan and we've had considerable success."

America's support for the Bush administration's war on terrorism remains strong nearly seven months after the Sept. 11 attacks, he said.

McConnell noted that the Bush administration is closely monitoring the actions of other nations that harbor terrorists or have weapons of mass destruction.

"The president has said you're with us or the terrorists," McConnell said.

In his remarks to students, the Republican senator also discussed the escalating dispute between Israelis and Palestinians.

"Nothing can happen until the violence stops," he said. "Sooner or later life will become so intolerable on both sides that they will get back to the deal they could have made 18 months ago."

Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is being isolated physically and politically by his refusal to accept settlement proposals, McConnell said.

McConnell's visit was the inaugural event of Government Month. Bowling Green Mayor Sandy Jones and Warren County Judge-Executive Mike Buchanon read a proclamation declaring April Government Month at WKU.

The theme of the monthlong event is "Department of Government: At Your Service." Upcoming activities include a departmental open house for students Thursday, a state meeting of College Republicans on April 13, Kentucky Supreme Court oral arguments on April 17-18 and a presentation on German government on April 22.

For more information, contact the Government Department at (270) 745-4558. More WKU news is available on the World Wide Web at www.wku.edu <http://www.wku.edu>. If you'd like to receive WKU news via E-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.