A variety of viewpoints were expressed Tuesday night at a town meeting concerning the United States-Iraq situation.

Speakers primarily addressed the role of the United Nations, the United States and discussed what plans of action might be enacted.

About 40 people attended the open forum which began at 7 p.m. in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union.

The meeting was sponsored by the ISU Model United Nations Club, Ames United Nations Association and the League of Women Voters.

Before the discussion began, about a dozen audience members signed up for a three-minute opportunity to address the crowd.

The meeting was hosted by Wayne Osborn, adviser for the United Nations Association in Ames and assistant professor of history.

Osborn said the meeting was kept informal so people could voice their opinions about relations with Iraq.

Most speakers supported the United Nations stance that the United States should not bomb Iraq.

First to take the podium was Jan Beran, who worked as an election supervisor in Bosnia.

She said her experience in Bosnia gives her first-hand knowledge of war.

“I strongly believe that multinational diplomacy is better than the use of weapons of mass destruction,” she said. “War doesn’t end when bombs, missiles and gunfire end. The results of war last for many years.”

Beran also stressed that the United Nations has been handling the Iraq situation well.

David Dennis, a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, also stated his support for U.N. actions.

“Saddam Hussein should comply with U.N. demands because we can’t let a guy like this get away with what he has been getting away with,” Dennis said.

Members of campus organizations also spoke at the rally.

Judy Dolphin, director of YWCA at Iowa State, said her organization does not have an official stance on the U.S.-Iraq situation; however, YWCA does advocate full support of the Declaration of Human Rights, which was signed about 50 years ago.

“I call upon each of us to help make the Declaration of Human Rights work. We need to stop playing games with power and start worrying about people,” Dolphin said.

Audience member Susan Franzen questioned the safety of bombing Iraqi military bases.

Since Hussein may have chemical weapons, she said biological agents may be released and cause widespread damage.

In turn, this would only worsen relations between the United States and Iraq.

Socialist Workers Party member Tom Alter said the United Nations and the United States should have no involvement whatsoever with the Iraq situation.

“This conflict is about a drive for money and greed,” Alter said.

He added that the United States has “no moral authority” and is just “looking for an excuse for war.”

Another view was held by Iowa State student Milton Gonzales.

He believes military action must be taken, not only by Americans, but by other countries as well.

“I only hope and pray that Saddam Hussein realizes that when a bully goes ahead and hits you over and over again, you can’t turn the other cheek. You must fight back,” Gonzales said.