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.
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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