General Colin Powell will arrive on Tufts' campus today and will deliver a speech in the Gantcher center as part of this year's Issam Fares Lecture Series. The 1,150 student tickets distributed for the event sold out almost immediately as a wave of excitement and anticipation swept over the campus.
Powell will present a speech titled "Management of Crisis and Change: The Middle East." This is the first time that the year-old facility is being used, aside from an opening gala last year. Although Powell will be met with great enthusiasm and interest, his chosen topic has the potential to be controversial, especially in light of recent events both in the area and on campus.
As one of the most esteemed and respected American public figures, Powell's ambition originally drove him from humble roots in Harlem to powerful advising positions with presidents Regan, Bush, and Clinton. He is well known for his previously nonpartisan stance and his leadership in the Gulf War, which have made him a skilled and knowledgeable authority on the Middle East.
Over the last month and a half, when the violence in the region has stirred up international concern, Powell's analysis of the conflict has been in heavy demand. Many Americans look to him for answers to a foreign affairs situation that is unusually shocking in its brutality.
"With the world focused on the unfolding events in the Middle East, I think we are extremely fortunate to have a man of Colin Powell's stature and experience as this year's Fares lecturer," Dean of Humanities and Arts Leila Fawaz said. Fawaz is the chair of the Issam Fares Lecture Committee responsible for bringing a noteworthy speaker to Tufts each year.
While Powell has traditionally identified with the Republican agenda, he is well respected by both parties and encourages people to consider politicians as individuals and not as party figureheads.
Although the specifics of his message are undisclosed, the general is trusted to take a sound and unbiased opinion about the Israel-Palestine issue. For the most part, it can be assumed that his speech is at least designed to push students towards more awareness of the injustice that occurs beyond the walls of the University.
While the majority of the campus is excited, some student leaders have expressed concern about the perspective Powell will promote on the issue.
"As an Arab, you learn to constantly be pessimistic. He is such an influential figure that his words are considered golden," Arab Student Association co-president Dina Karem said. "I fear that he may present a biased view that is pro-Israel. If that's so, this campus and America in general will become even more negative towards Palestinians."
Karem grew up in Lebanon, which lies in the heart of the struggling area, and has devoted herself to following the progression of Israeli-Arab relations. She received a personal invitation from Issam Fares in hope that the Arab constituency at Tufts will be present at the lecture to represent their side of the issue.
"I don't think that Powell will really delve into the issue. He will skirt around it and talk about peace abstractly. I am sure he will continue painting Israelis as the victims," Karem said. "It is painful and frustrating that media coverage sends out such a faulty, slanted message. Palestinians are not terrorists."
Zoe Hastings, who helped organize a pro-peace vigil last month in response to recent events in the Middle East, shared Karem's worries the Powell may advocate a certain slant on the issue.
"I am apprehensive about Powell's speech. He will most likely take the Israeli side and encourage military retaliation," Hastings said. "It's not a bad thing he's coming. Students need to be informed consumers, but in my eyes, he is just a Republican figurehead."
Members of the Islamic Society at Tufts, however, are hopeful that Powell's speech will raise awareness on campus.
"I'm not sure how he will present the issue but I trust his politics, even if they are biased, and I think it's great that he's coming," said Assis Elahi, president of the organization.
There is also a political dimension to Powell's visit, as both candidates have considered giving him an administrative position. Tufts Democrats President Greg Propper said the speech should give students insight on a person who carries great weight in the American political system.
"It makes me nervous to consider Bush the potential president. But if he does win, he will need capable politicians like Powell in his cabinet to create leadership. If Gore is elected, it's possible that he may recruit Powell for a position as well," Propper said. "What's a little troublesome is that people are streaming to the lecture without knowing exactly what the question is about or who Powell really is, but it goes to show how well respected the General is."
Tufts Republicans co-president Sam Dangremond said that students should not be quick to equate Powell's discussion with politics. "He is an excellent and prestigious leader who happens to share his views with Governor Bush," he said.
Although potentially controversial, the topic of Powell's speech furthers the goals of the Issam Fares Lecture Series, which attempts to educate students about the Middle East and facilitate understanding about this commonly misunderstood area
Issam M. Fares is currently the deputy prime minister of Lebanon and an honored philanthropist. As founder of the Fares Foundation, he has provided education to 40,000 students, brought medical help to 50,000 people worldwide, and dispensed aid to projects such as agricultural, rural development, arts, small industries, and community programs.
Fares has served on the University Board of Trustees since 1992 and has donated three buildings to Tufts. His son Fares Fares, a Tufts graduate, created the Issam Fares Lecture Series in honor of his father in 1991. In the past the series brought prominent conservative speakers such as Margaret Thatcher and George Bush to speak at Tufts.
