Robert Fisk in St Patrick's College

 

Robert Fisk, the renowned Middle East correspondent of the Independent (UK) newspaper, delivered the keynote public lecture at the Conference of Irish Geographers which was held in the College from May 11th to 13th. Fisk, the author of the sweeping analysis of Middle East history – The Great War For Civilisation – that sets the present day geopolitical situation in context, drew on his unrivalled knowledge and reporting of the on-ground setting of people, places and contexts to speak on the theme: ‘Collapse in Iraq: The Way Out’.

His analysis began with a statement that perceptions of the Iraqi engagement were changing both at military and public levels in the United States of America. He was insistent that a military solution was not possible, that dialogue would have to be looked towards and that dialogue was already taking place – although it was not being widely publicised. The clustering of various ethnic groups such as the Shi’ite and Sunni was something he strongly opposed – especially the ‘walled communities’ that were proposed for Baghdad. The inter-faction rivalry was exacerbated by the ongoing presence of foreign troops. These troops, especially the Americans, wished to withdraw: the dilemma was how to do so?

His analysis was of a country that was riven with ongoing problems. Some of those problems could ultimately be eased by the non-intervention of foreign troops. The American military, he suggested, recognised that a withdrawal would have to be conducted, that it could not take place in the present vacuous political setting but that ultimately it would have to be addressed. The theme of dialogue that permeated his lecture was, in his view, the only way forward.

Pádraig Carmody, Susan Hegarty, Patrick Kelly, Robert Fisk, Gerry O'Reilly, Ruth McManus, Pauric Travers, Jim Hourihane

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Updated: Thursday June 07 2007