8A - The Michigan Daily - Thursday, February 5, 2004 NEWS Iraqi intelligence commission may be problematic Independent commission could access secret intelligence briefings made by Bush WASHINGTON (AP) - President Bush's decision to appoint a commission on Iraq intel- ligence was intended to take pressure off a potentially explosive political issue. But setting up the commission offers its own dangers. If the commission is truly independent, as the president has promised, it could examine not only the work of intelligence agencies, but how the administration handled intelligence. It could make demands for access to Bush's secret intelligence briefings, as has the con- gressionally created commission investigating the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks. If the commission members are seen as too close to Bush, the panel's credibility could be questioned. Democratic leaders have already expressed doubts that a commission appointed entirely by the president can be impartial. Bush is likely to formally announce creation of the commission in an executive order today. The White House already has begun defending it. "This commission will be bipartisan and independent and they will have full access to the information they need to do their job," Bush spokesman Scott McClellan said Tuesday. Impetus for the independent investigation developed after the former CIA weapons inspec- tor in Iraq, David Kay, said last week he doubted that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction in recent years. Those weapons were one of Bush's main arguments for war. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld said yes- terday he is not ready to conclude that Iraq did not have weapons of mass destruction before U.S. troops invaded to depose him last year. He told the Senate Armed Services Commit- tee that U.S. weapons inspectors need more time to reach final conclusions about whether chemical and biological weapons existed in Iraq before the war, as the Bush administration had asserted before sending American troops into battle. The White House originally had opposed an independent investigation, saying it wanted to give the search for weapons more time. It reversed course as pressure grew from Republi- cans and Democrats. The White House has stressed that the com- mission's mandate will be wide-ranging, exam- ining not only Iraq but also flawed intelligence on Pakistan, Iran and other nations. Bush could face criticism if the review is so broad that com- missioners can't delve deeply into Iraq intelli- gence before its work ends early next year. Finding the right balance on the commission will be difficult. McClellan said commissioners "will be people of experience in the public sec- tor; they will be people with expertise in intelli- gence." The White House has not disclosed any names, but among those that lawmakers and "This commission will be bipartisan and independent and they will have full access to the information they need to do their job:' - Scott McClellan Spokesman for President Bush others have suggested as qualified candidates are former CIA directors Robert Gates, William Webster and James Woolsey; former Sens. Bob Kerrey (D-Neb.), Warren Rudman (R-N.H.), and Gary Hart (D-Colo.); former CIA deputy director Richard Kerr and Kay. A panel that includes too many former intel- ligence officials may have difficulty examining work done under their watch. Former Sen. David Durenberger (R-Minn.) said the com- mission needs the perspective of policy-makers who depend on intelligence. "I think the emphasis needs to be more on the foreign rela- tions/national security side than on the intelli- gence side;' he said. Bush may also find that some of the most qualified people may not want a high-profile government position. The Sept. 11 commis- sion's original chairman, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, and vice chairman, for- mer Sen. George Mitchell (D-Maine), resigned shortly after their appointments, citing con- cerns about potential conflicts of interest with their professional work. 0 Hitting the campaign trail OUTBREAK Continued from Page IA intravenous fluids. Winfield suggested several options for students who believe they may be dehydrated."If somebody is vomiting very badly, and has diarrhea very badly and it continues for more than a few hours, they become dehydrated because they can't get fluid in and they are losing fluid.... Then they get lower blood pressure because they are dehydrated so they're feeling sicker," Winfield said. Winfield said that when students become severely ill they should seek medical help. UHS has staff on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week to answer questions students may have, and in more severe cases, direct them to the hospital. Students who are mildly ill should stay hydrated by drinking water, chewing on ice chips or sucking popsicles. Winfield said there are no antibiotics or antiviral medications that alle- viate the stomach flu. Cianciola and Winfield suggest that sick students isolate themselves throughout the duration of their illness and for at least three days after they get better, as they can continue to be contagious. They suggest sick students follow the same guidelines Ezhuthachan did - stay in their rooms, do not attend class- es, and do not eat in the cafeteria. Because the virus is contagious and spreads from person to person by public objects such as door handles, keyboards, sinks and toilets, Winfield greatly stressed the importance of good hygiene for students. "Hygiene is one of our best methods for preventing the spread of this," Winfield said. He added that it is important that students do not visit their sick friends. Ezhuthachan missed all of his classes yesterday, including an exam last night, which he rescheduled with his professor. "They seemed pretty considerate that I was ill and they had no problem making exceptions and giving me an alter- nate exam," Ezhuthachan said. Cianciola said there are many options available to make students' periods of illness more comfortable, including food delivery to their dorm rooms so they can avoid the cafeterias. These procedures are being taken to protect the health of other residents and to avoid spreading the infection. Other measures include separate restroom accommoda- tions for those who are suffering from the virus. "The well-being of our students is our most paramount concern and we are here to support them in any way we can," Cianciola said. Cianciola suggests that students notify their halls' Resi- dent advisors if they become ill, so that accommodations can be made for students, such as meal delivery. Students should also notify their RAs if they choose to return to their homes. Housing spokesman Alan Levy sent an e-mail to all hous- ing residents lasty night with more information. 0 LSA sophmore Ramya Raghavan, RC junior Dan Mullkoff and LSA sophmore Libby Benton of Students for Dean campaign at Hillel yesterday for Dean's visit to Ann Arbor tomorrow. DIALOGUE Continued from Page IA are not working (with one another);' Kanaana said. Kanaana earlier explained that the question, "Is Israeli- Palestinian peace still possible?" is riddled with the assump- tion that there are only two players in the conflict and that the two sides are on a level playing field. He added that the United States is the real man in the conflict and has helped Israel eliminate the Palestinian Authority, which he said consisted of Yasser Arafat quarantined in a room. "The Palestinian Authority at the present time only has control of two rooms and one bathroom. ... These are seen as equal as each other? Israel is the fourth most powerful country at the present time." Despite these heated comments, Kanaana's views drew the most criticism when he said Israel is ready to commit genocide against the Palestinians in order to purify the Zionist state. Since the second intifada began in the fall of 2000, the Israeli Defense Forces have targeted Hamas leaders in assassination attempts, he said. Kanaana added that Israelis already occupy about 90 percent of the territory and have no reason to make concessions since they are in an ideal position to occupy all of Palestinian land. "I think the Israelis are priming for a genocide if the Palestinians oppose them," he said. But Avi Jacobson, director of the Hamagshimim Israel Fellowship, said of Kanaana's remark, "I was shocked and appalled by the comment that Israelis were preparing for a genocide. It's demonization and propaganda." Contrary to Kanaana's perspective, Shikaki compared the prospect for peace to a tunnel where the light can already be seen, but there is not yet a mechanism to reach that light. Maoz, a visiting professor of politcal science at the University, added that both sides just need strong lead- ership willing to make courageous steps and political sacrifices. "Both sides know what to do to create the atmosphere for peace. There is just not enough self-criticism of the actions of each side to make that peace," he said. He added that both Palestinians and Israelis will eventual- ly come to a peace because they are gradually recognizing that there is no way out through violence. Jacobson, an Engineering senior, added that he found the discussion interesting because some speakers raised real possibilities of hope which reaffirmed his belief that peace can be achieved in the Middle East. "Peace is still possible, because both sides want it," he said. Psychologist and University faculty member Majeda Humeiden also said peace would be possible, but added some of the American public are unwilling to support the Palestinian movement. "Being pro-human rights or being pro-Palestinian is sometimes seen as being anti-Semitic." She said she hopes people overcome that thinking so that American people can make a more concerted effort to help solve the conflict. U U We're concerned. Last year's winner for Best Slang was hella. Whatever happened to sketchy? Or even tubular? Just wondering.