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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (Sept. 29, 1987)
Gulf Continued from Page 10 States has exasperated the Ira nian public’s hatred of America, deeming it an im perialistic intruder on the Islamic world, thus pushing the Iranians into the open arms of the awaiting Soviets. Although the United States partially circumvented the Soviets from gaining an upper hand with Kuwait, the Soviets have made significant diplomatic inroads with the Ira nian government. In fact, the Soviet Union and Iran have agreed to construct bilaterally an oil pipeline and a railroad linking the Soviet border with the Southern Iranian coast The plan is ostensibly for economic purposes, such as importing oil into the Soviet Union; however, the railroad project could be us ed for military purposes. More specifically, the railroad development project is strategically significant for the security interests of the United States because the Russians recently have developed a rail based nuclear missile capable of being moved continuously If the Soviet Union eventually deploys rail-based nuclear weapons to the Persian C'.ulf region, it would be an unaccep table threat to U.S. interests there and a menace to the na tional security policies of the United States. As the antagonism between the United States and Iran escalates, the Soviets will con tinue to build closer ties with the Iranians Considering the strategic importance of the Per sian Gulf in terms of 55 percent of the world’s proven oil reserves, the Soviets will seek to better their diplomatic relations with not only the Iranians but also the Iraqis. For this reason the Soviet Union, one of the five nations on the United Nations Security Council, will likely vote against imposing an arms embargo against either belligerent in war. China, another member of the U.N. Security Council, also has an economic incentive not to support an arms embargo against Iran. China is one of Iran’s main suppliers of weapons, including the HY-2 Silkworm anti-ship missile. Thus, considering the poten tial economic gains Russia and China can acquire in terms of oil and profits from arms sales respectively, both probably will oppose any attempt by the United States to impose a U.N.-sanctioned multinational arms embargo against Iran. Attacking Iran elucidates another implication for U.S. in terests in the Persian Gulf: The possibility of a decrease in the flow of oil from Iran to America, thereby increasing the domestic price of oil The Reagan ad ministration promulgates the presence of U.S. forces in the gulf as necessary to ensure freedom of navigation in volatile international waters. The true purpose of the military buildup in the gulf, however, is not only to ensure free shipping, but also to pre vent the supply of oil from be ing restricted, thus avoiding fuel shortages in the United States. President Reagan made this point in passing during a speech in late June, but he has not mentioned it since In HI86. the U.S. imported $4t>8 million in oil from Iran, the greatest amount from any Middle-Kastern country except Saudi Arabia. In the first five months of 11IH7, the United States, according to the (am merce Department, has already imported more than $418 5 million from Iran, a rate of im port higher than last year. Iran, however, may retaliate economically for the U.S. attack by decreasing its oil exports to the United States, a move that could affect the supply and hence price of oil in America, considering the large amount imported from Iran. Welcome to Eugene from the store with the finest sportswear and equipment for all four seasons. it ii ii ii it ii ii BE CERTAIN TO CHECK OUR GREAT IN-STORE SPECIALS! UNIVa«TY OFOMGON EUGENE ATHLETIC V. - OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK - ALL MAJOR CREDIT CARDS ACCEPTED 94 WEST BROADWAY DOWNTOWN MALL EUGENE, OREGON 97401 343-1288 Convocation 1987 This year the University of Oregon Convoca tion joins We the People, the celebration of the bicentennial of the U.S. Constitution in American life. And, you’re invited to attend! Monday, October 5, we will be welcoming new and returning faculty and students with a day-long celebration of our Constitution. Keynote speaker for this year’s event is Stanley Katz of Princeton University speaking on Constitutionalism ami the Constitution. 1 lis speech is scheduled at 2:00 p in. in the Erb Memorial Union Ballroom on the UO cam pus. Four seminars follow the address and the evening features a theater premier at the I lull Center for the Performing Arts. Complimen tary tickets may be obtained at the FMU Main Desk or the 1 iult Center the evening of the performance. Schedule of Events 2:00 p.m. -- Keynote Speech ERB Memorial Union Ballroom 3:15 p.m. -- Seminars Women ami the Constitution EMU Fir Room (167) Federalism: Pend or Alive? EMU Walnut Room (101) 8:00 p.m. * Advertising and the f irst Amend ment: Madison and the Marlboro Man EMU Forum Room Constitutional landmarks: Oregon Contributions EMU Cedar Room (108) Premier Performance A More Perfect Union Silva Concert I fall, 1 lull Center for the Performing Arts These activities arr made possible, in part, bv Ihe Oregon Commitlee (or ihe I lumaiubes .nnl Ihe National Endowment (or Ihe I luniamties ‘University CONVOCATION 1987 of OlCEQCWi
