Antonio Planas
The State News, Massachusetts State University (MSU)
November 27, 2003

President M. Peter McPherson describes his work and experiences in Iraq during a forum held Monday at the Union. McPherson discussed many issues concerning Iraq, including currency problems and debt.

Seventy-two-year-old Iraqi Sam Hindi stood before a packed crowd at the Union on Monday and thanked MSU President M. Peter McPherson for his role in rebuilding the nation’s banking system.

Hindi’s comments came at an open forum, where McPherson spoke to a crowd of about 150 people about his experiences in Iraq.

Hindi said he still has about 70 relatives who live in Baghdad, and they are supportive of the U.S. occupation.

“The best thing that happened to them is their freedom,” the Williamston resident said after the forum. “Freeing the country and bringing them democracy is one of the best things that could ever happen.”

MSU’s Board of Trustees granted McPherson an unpaid leave of absence on April 25 so he could serve as the financial coordinator for the Office of Reconstruction and Humanitarian Assistance in Iraq.

He returned to campus in late September and resumed his role as MSU’s president on Oct. 1.

McPherson’s speech outlined what he and his economic team were able to accomplish during his stay in Baghdad, followed by a question-and-answer session.

McPherson highlighted setting up a central bank and about 80 other banks throughout Iraq. McPherson and his economic team overhauled the old Iraqi currency, called the “Saddam Dinar,” for a new currency, called “Iraqi Dinar.”

Another economic accomplishment was setting up a department called the Finance Ministry, which was established to help pay about 1.3 million Iraqi government employees, McPherson said.

Telecommunication, information studies and media junior Nic Angell said McPherson’s speech was informative.

“I got a better understanding of his role,” he said. “He seemed to know what he was talking about, and I guess that’s why he was sent there.”

McPherson said Iraq’s new emphasis on capitalism and democracy might cause other Middle Eastern countries to go in that direction. He said a critical step in future economic success of Iraq is ending some of the $100 billion of reparations Iraq owes to Kuwait and Saudi Arabia for its role in the first Gulf War.

“We can’t have Iraqis paying for Saddam 25 years from now,” he said. “To postpone the debt would be a geopolitical mistake.”

Some faculty members thought McPherson didn’t address certain issues.

“His speech in a sense was predictable and somewhat disappointed me,” MSU English Professor Ken Harrow said. “He bracketed the critical issue of MSU’s connection with Iraq. I see this as a growing issue.”

Harrow is a member of the newly formed group called the Open Faculty Forum, which opposes the war and the U.S. occupancy in Iraq.

He said the group will try to make the public aware of the topic.

Along with its opposition to the occupancy, members object to Iraqi-related policies, including the lack of Iraqi representatives during the occupancy, U.S. investments in Iraq and the lack of discussion with faculty before McPherson decided to lead the economic redevelopment of the country.

Rose Hassoun, adjunct professor in the Department of Integrated Studies in the Arts and Humanities, said the crowd didn’t challenge McPherson on the controversial issues.

“If things don’t go the way (McPherson) predicts they will, I have concerns with MSU’s involvement,” the Open Faculty Forum member said. “I see how many men are dying every day, and it’s beginning to feel like the first stages of Vietnam.”