Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1991-02-27, Page 2Page 2 Times -Advocate, February 27, 1991 INTF�NFWS Family still in Gulf Jordanian reflects on cruelty of war By Cheryl Clark EXETER - Fear is a powerful emotion. In these times, Exeter resident Khalid Mohamd prefers to keep his nationality secret. Mohamd, a native of Iman, Jor- dan, moved to Canada four years ago in the hopes of finding a "more peaceful country. Now, he finds himself afraid and confused. Mohamd says he has not had any problems from area residents about his background, but he says even in a small town there is a chance people will perform cruel acts in the guise of national pride. Mohamd's parents, five brothers and three sisters still reside in Iman, Jordan, and he is concerned about their safety. Unlike many of his relatives living in Canada, Mo- hamd has been lucky because he has been able to make semi - regular contact with his family. "The war is not about human rights..." Mohamd said his father is close to financial ruin because he had to close his Saudi Arabia -based store (the country's largest clothing store) because of sporadic bomb- ings in the area. Mohamd has not supported ei- ther side in the Persian Gulf War. He decided to move to Canada be- cause of good things he had heard about it, and he especially wanted to avoid the United States' cultural "melting pot." Mohamd says he has moved four times in the last four years in search of a better job. He says his Palestinian background has made him adapt to constant moving a lot better than most. "The war is (was) not about hu- man rights, it is about dollars for war," he said. He does not believe the United States President George Bush's claim that it is a war for hu- manity. Mohamd cites atrocities against humanity in South Africa, Central America and Lithuania as examples of what he calls America's random selection of what it deems inhu- mane. Mohamd says the Cable News Network's coverage of the war has also been heavily slanted. He argues a news organization cannot be objective unless it is allowed to do so, and he believes Iraq and the U.S. make sure more of the truth is filtered out than put in. Mohamd said his father's reports of the war's casualties have been substantially higher than those re- ported by any government. Mohamd said even the smallest injustices of the war have been frustrating. He has two brothers in their final year of school, but schools are closed most of the time because of bombings. Mohamd said the financial devastation the war will wreak on the Middle East will make millions suffer for sever- al decades. Mohamd said the Allies will suf- fer immensely too, because once the damage is done they will be the ones to foot the tab to pay for its re- building. Mohamd said his people in Jor- dan are in a Catch 22 situation, the country is sandwiched between Iraq and Israel which practically forces them into neutrality. • Mohamd said over the years, many countries have aided Jordan including Iraq. "King Hussein is not looking for trouble," he said. Mohamd said many of his Arabic friends and family have echoed similar statements about the war. "No one is happy to see anyone killed whether they are American or Arabic," said Mohamd. "I do not like to see anyone's blood ... 1 an human." Mohamd said the ground war could have spelled disaster for Ku- wait and Iraq. "Everybody's afraid of a ground war," said Mohamd. "There will be nothing left." Mohamd believes the fault lies in all the countries involved with the war. He maintains economic sanc- tions. were effective, and the war began because the U.S. decided it wanted Saddam "gone". "When Saddam invaded Kuwait the first question should have been 'why?'", said Mohamd, noting there were several diplomatic problems between Kuwait, Jordan, and Iraq before the conflict began. Mohamd believes every country which opened its vaults for the war effort is as much to blame as the Allies and Iraq. "Leaders are detached from the real dredges of war," said Mohamd, commenung middle eastern coun- tries have been at war for as long as he can remember. Mohamd said he believes there are methods other than war to com- bat dictatorship. Mohamd said he relates to Cana- dians who do not support war, but do support their loved ones who have been in the middle of it. "It's very hard to replace the love of family once they are gone," said Mohamd. "The United States wants to liber- ate Kuwait at what cost?" asked Mohamd. "Peace cannot be seized." Editor's note: While Khalid Mo- hamd is his Arabic name, he is known by the English equivalent in Canada. He is concerned that sgme of the public could misinterpret his feelings. Annual competition Drama class gets rave reviews at Blyth BLYTH - South Huron District High School's cast and crew made their entry Waiting for the Parade ▪ worth waiting for last Saturday, at the sixth annual Central' Huron School Drama Festival held in BI HDHS's production ran last, but not least in a seven school line-up, and the play's five - member cast fared extremely well against their competitors in the awards category. Actress Chris Shepard (Eve) was presented with an award on behalf of all the production staff for an outstanding performance. Actress Carla -Ann Oud (Marta) also took home an award for a memorable performance as a young German girl who worries for her father's safety. Her father was suspected of espionage and was held as a Prisoner of War in Cana- da. Waiting for the Parade was di- rected by drama teacher Mary Beth Jantzi. The 50 -minute production focussed on the lives of five wom- en personally affected by the tem- porary loss of their husbands or sons as they go off to fight the ene- my. Jantzi thought the play's theme was particularly fitting because it relates to the fears of women even in contemporary society with the Persian Gulf War. "I believe it is important to re- mind ourselves that war is a human story," remarked Jantzi in her direc- tor's comments. "The universality of its characters and their story re- mind us that we are all part of the human condition." The play's setting was based in Calgary, Alberta. The cast included Jody Becker as Janet, Heather Con- • See us at the Western Fair Farm Show for the BEST PRICES on MOTOROLA Radiu "('i S11 flit• '1'lZASI1'' Special ('otttinues '1'o march 22! Your Old 2 - Way FM or CB Radio is Worth up to 550 Trade. Imagine A New Motorola Radius for $449! & don t got us with those other guys selling radios! TENEX COMMUNICATIONS INC. 138 Main St., Ailsa Craig 293-3255 Zblt Free 1-800-265-2936 R.R.S.P. DEADLINE is this Friday, March 1 we're OPEN TILL 8 PM Thursday February 28: Open till 5 p For top rat. see your Credit Union sitt as Margaret, Oud as Marta, Shepard as Eve and Jacqueline Westelaken as Catherine. Adjudicators Rob and Kevin Bundy noted the cast and crew did an outstanding job. The crew in- cluded stage manager Shelley Uni- ac, lighting technician Ted Hyde, sound man Rob Gackstetter, prop- erties manager Kevin Robinson and hair and make-up artist Dania Thur- man. Port Elgin's Saugeen District Sec- ondary School drama students took home top honours for their 50- ' minute production of Boss Ubu. Outstanding cast - South Huron District High School student Chris Shepard is seen here taking an award from adjudicator Rob Bundy, on behalf of her fellow cast for their production of Waiting for the Parade. Continued from front page is not a requirement for tenancy. Although the actual numbers of people employed in the park are down from peak years, there is not that much space available to indus- tries. Several of the large hangars have been divided into smaller properties to take advantage of the needs of smaller manufacturers. Currently, there is approximately 65,000 square feet of industrial space still vacant in the park. Clinton Community CREDIT UNION 70 Ontario Street 374 Main St. South CLINTON 482-3467 EXETER 235-0640 Correction In last week's paper, the presenter of the Biddulph book Sure and this is Biddulph to the Irish ambassador was inconecdy identified. Above Jim Shipley, puty-reeve of Bid- duiph Township (right) presents the book to ambassador Edward Bren- nan. The Times Advocate regrets the em*. How DoesYour RRSP Rate? gheIrresish'ble RRSP HOURS; Mon. to Wed. 86 Thurs. & Fri. 8-8 Saturday 9-1 FromJanuary2 through March 1,1991, you get a big l/i% bonus when you sign up for National Trust's Special Bonus RRSP. And you can lock in this special me for 16 months! That's why we call this RRSP Irresistible. Stop in and sign up today. • Term, and .00dl tion, .yply NATIONAL TRUST 425 Main Street,' Exeter, 235.0530 TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE PUBLIC MEETING CONCERNING A PROPOSED ZONING BY-LAW AMENDMENT TAKE NOTICE that the Council of the Corporation of the TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE will hold a public meeting on Tues- day, March 19, 1991 at 1:15 p.m., in the Municipal Office at the Morrison Dam to consider a proposed zoning by-law under Sec- tion 34 of the Planning Act 1983. The proposed by-law would change the zoning on Part Lot 16, Concession 3, Township of USBORNE (see attached map) from General Agriculture (AG1) to Institutional (11). The 11 zone permits the establishment of a new Township road shed. The existing road shed Is located In Elimville. The subject parcel has approximate dimensions of 124.3 m (407 ft.) frontage along the road allowance, and a depth of ap- proximately 162.8 m (534 ft.). The total area is 2.02 ha (5 acres). This proposed lot meets the minimum lot requirements of the 11 zone and was recently purchased by the Township of Usbome. This by-law amends zoning by-law 13-1984. The location of the affected land is shown on Schedule "A", at- tached. The location map, identifies the lands within the Town- ship. Any person may attend the public meeting and/or make a writ- ten or verbal representation, either in support of or in opposi- tion to the proposed zoning by-law. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION relating to the proposed zoning by-law is available for inspection between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the Township Cleric's Office. DATED AT THE TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE, THIS 27th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 1991. Ms. Sandra Strang, Clerk TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE Box 1420, Exeter, Ont. NOM 1S0 (519) 235-2900 TOWNSHIP OF USBORNE Qscale mss is 1000 N KEY MAP II KV MAP 10 t*JiavNci+u IM'Y. e3 20 s 1"AG2 cats N 1 AGI CON 4 aft KEY MAP .Q ZONI C1IM:Ct TO 11(U1TfV IONAL) nem AO1 (OtM*AL AG111CU.TAIH) WWF® POWER STAMPS from Kentucky Fried Chicken Hulk Hogan"• Ultimate Warrior". Macho King Randy Savage". Big Boss Man" Collect One Go* Every Week For Only ... iJ_Vs.�► 1 ' IN MON imowil 1