WORLD & NATION
WWW.GUILFORDIAN.COM
Nuclear activity a hot-liutton issue iu Irau, Nerth Kerea
BY CHLOE LINDEMAN
Stapf Writer
"Death to America! Death to Israel!"
cried the masses of Iranians celebrating the
34th anniversary of the Iranian Revolution
on Feb. 10.
Tensions have tightened between the
international community and Iran due to
the threat of nuclear activity.
Iran claims that its nuclear facilities are
solely to create energy, but the U.S. and
Israel fear the development of nuclear
weaponry. Both countries have condemned
Iran's activity.
"Are they really developing a nuclear
weapon or just nuclear power capabilities?"
asked Director of the Friends Center and
Campus Ministry Coordinator Max Carter.
"I think it goes without question that one
leads to the other.
"Yes, they'll have nuclear weapons in
five years ... (but) Iran has absolutely no
interest in striking Israel with nuclear
weapons."
If Carter is correct, then what interest
does Iran have in gaining nuclear power?
"Iran is in a region that is basically
driven by conflict," Amal Khoury, assistant
professor of Peace and Conflict Studies,
said. "I think one of the reasons they are
building a nuclear force is the self-defense
issue, (seeking a) balance of power in the
region."
Carter spoke more specifically to the
region's impact on Iran.
"They're (Iran) surrounded by folk who
have nuclear weapons," Carter said. "To
the north is Russia where there are all these
soviet-era weapons that could fall into the
hands of crazies. South of them is Pakistan
and India; they're loaded with nukes. To
the East of them is China, loaded with
nukes. To the West of them is Israel, loaded
with nukes."
Iran desires the same security that its
surrounding countries enjoy.
"In this world where you have the
hierarchical power — when you have
superpowers and when you have conflicts
all around — the arms race is something
that is not really avoidable," said Khoury.
The U.S., Russia, China, Pakistan, India,
the U.K. and France are among the major
nuclear world superpowers, while Israel is
a regional superpower.
completed its third nuclear test on Feb.
12. The test was the most powerful ever
administered by the nation.
South Korea, Japan and the U.S.
initially detected the activity because of
an earthquake it caused, but the Korean
Central News Agency said the test "did
not pose any negative impact on the
Carter recognized Israel as a strong force
in the region due to its highly militarized
approach to security of people and land.
The Middle East is not the only
region feeling pressure from the
international community because of
nuclear developments. Despite numerous
warnings. North Korea has also carried out
nuclear testing.
According to the BBC, North Korea
surrounding ecological environment."
"The latest nuclear test was only the
first action," announced the North Korean
foreign ministry despite criticisms from the
U.S. and the international community.
North Korea said the test was issued
because of the "reckless hostility of the
United States."
According to Radio Free Europe/Radio
Liberty, to demonstrate his seriousness
regarding nuclear initiatives, U.S. Secretary
of State John Kerry described both the
North Korean and the Iranian "reckless
(nuclear) efforts" as "impermissible"
within the international community.
Kerry did not expand upon repercussions
North Korea may face for its action.
But Khoury thinks that forbidding
nuclear testing might result in backlash.
"The continuous U.S. pressures against
the (nuclear) weapons make it even worse
for both North Korea and Iran ... both want
to show that they have more," said Khoury.
"As long as North Korea regards the
U.S. as an existential threat. North Korea
would refuse to give up nuclear weapons,"
said Professor of Political Science George
Guo. "However, the U.S. insists that North
Korea must give up nuclear weapons
before it will talk."
Another dilemma is determining which
nations are permitted to access nuclear
weapons.
"I think this is one contentious issue in
terms of the international community,"
said Khoury. "Why are some states allowed
to build nuclear weapons and others not?"
"The international community heeds
to move toward more negotiation and
diplomatic processes," said Khoury. "It's
important to look at the overall, broader
questions."
"Peace and Nuclear Non-proliferation,"
a conference held on campus on Feb.
16, attempted to address some of these
questions.
The conference, co-sponsored by the
Wake Forest University Humanities
Institute and Guilford's Center for
Principled Problem Solving, included
panel presentations addressing several
different aspects of nuclear capability.
Because of the College's Quaker
background and the presence of a Peace
and Conflict Studies department, Guilford
promotes activities like this conference
to encourage discussion about complex
world issues.
Irish government releases enslaved Magdalene women
BY BRITTANY MURDOCK
STAffWRrra
For years, select women in Ireland have been banished by
their government to workhouses — or laundries — operated
by Catholic nuns. While living in the Magdalene Laundries,
female residents endured grueling physical labor, inhumane
working conditions and verbal abuse on a daily basis.
Over 10,000 women passed through these laundries
between 1992 and 1996. Some women stayed months or years,
while others never left. Laundries were opened for unmarried
women, women from broken homes, women with mental
or physical disabilities and orphans. Additional resident
workers included women convicted of crimes such as theft,
prostitution, or even not paying for a train ticket.
In 1993, more than 150 cremated and buried bodies were
discovered when a group of nuns sold a Magdalene convent
to a real estate developer in Dublin, Ireland. These findings
triggered an investigation of the state's involvement with the
laundries.
An inquiry into the state's involvement was headed by
Senator Martin McAleese.
"We hope the report will bring healing and peace of mind
to all concerned, most especially the women whose experience
of the Magdalene Laundries had a profound and enduring
negative effect on their lives," McAleese told the Guardian.
Although the Irish government originally denied all
involvement with the laundries, the 1,000 page report
showed that of the 10,000 women, 2,124 were referred to these
institutions by the state.
Prime Minister Enda Kenny repeatedly apologized for
any "stigma" that was attached to Riese women and for the
amount of time it took the government to carry out the inquiry.
Several advocacy groups were dissatisfied with this apology,
citing a desire for a more meaningful and emotional apology
for all that they endured.
The enslaved women participated in vigorous manual
labor without compensation, were incarcerated against their
will, and abused verbally and physically. Additionally, they
were forced into a harsh regime of prayer and received little
respect from family members, those facilitating the program,
and the state.
"Long term effects would likely include a profound sense
of worthlessness, difficulty forming stable relationships, trust
issues, anxiety, vulnerability to depression and a tendency
toward aggression aimed at one's self and/or at others," said
Guilford's Director of Counseling Gaither Terrell.
"Justice for Magdalenes" is one of the many advocacy groups
created to help survivors of these traumatic experiences.
"I have always described them as 'Ireland's disappeared,"'
James Smith, a spokesman for Justice for Magdalenes, told
The New York limes. "They were edited out in the past and
unfortunately the government seems to want to forget them in
the present. But we won't let that happen."
What role does the Catholic Church play in this scandal?
Merely a decade ago, the Irish crossed their chests when
passing a priest on the streets. But, with the resignation of
Pope Benedict XVI and the shocking revelations of priests'
sexual abuse of boys, the once prominent reputation of the
Catholic Church has diminished.
The Catholic Church is now declining in tradition.
Support of the Church has faded, and opportunities to
speak with the survivors of the laundries were rejected by
Church leaders.
"It seems as though the Catholic Church has really fallen far
off the track," said Catholic sophomore Duncan FitzGerald.
Visiting Assistant Professor of Political Science Robert
Duncan made predictions for Ireland's relationship with the
Catholic Church.
"Maybe there will be the separation of church and state,"
said Duncan. "With all these incidents going on, maybe it's
time that the church and state will finally separate from one
another."
As advocacy groups fight for justice, the Catholic Church
remains silent.