8A = THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
NEWS
MONDAY,MARCH 24,2003
War has mixed effect on economy
Think tank says Wichita market may be hardest hit
The Associated Press
WICHITA — An economic expert said a short and victorious war in Iraq — followed by a repair of fractured relationships with Germany and France would likely boost the fortunes of this city that bills itself as "The Air Capital of Kansas."
But until then, he said, the war will hurt Wichita by further depressing international tourism and air travel.
"There are some times you wish your predictions didn't come true," said Ross DeVol, director of regional and demographic studies for the Milken
Institute. "This is one of those times."
General aviation, the focus of three of Wichita's four aircraft manufacturing plants, has also taken a downturn.
Last week, Cessna Aircraft announced the latest bad news: 1,200 permanent layoffs and a summer plant shutdown that will idle 6,000 of its remaining 8,000 Wichita workers for seven weeks.
The job losses bring the number of announced layoffs to about 12,000 for Wichita's four major aircraft companies, which also include Boeing, Raytheon and Bombardier.
The Milken Institute said in August that Wichita's job losses place it seventh on the study's list of 315 local economies damaged by the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The economic think tank, based in Santa Monica, Calif., projected that by the end of this year Wichita's economy would be the nation's hardest hit.
Late last week, most of the major airlines announced that war jitters were forcing cuts in flights and jobs.
Northwest Airlines lopped off 7 percent of its air routes, laying off 4,900 employees and taking 20 aircraft out of service.
United Airlines reduced its flights by 8 percent, and American Airlines announced a 6 percent cutback in international service.
DeVol said there will be little need for airlines to buy new planes until passenger confidence and routes are restored.
A quick end to war would help, DeVol said, showing that
the United States is committed to and capable of dealing with international terrorism.
DeVol also said it is important to have a rapid reconciliation with European allies who don't support the war against Iraq, because tourists from those nations won't come to the United States if they don't feel welcome.
Boycotts of French goods have sprung up across the nation. Congress renamed the french fries in its cafeteria "freedom fries."
But DeVol said boycotting France might give French corporate executives second thoughts about buying business aircraft made in the USA. A double-edged boycott, he said, "would be good for California wine but bad for Wichita airplanes."
Fort Riley assists deployed soldiers, families
The Associated Press
FORT RILEY — With more than 2,200 Fort Riley soldiers deployed in the Middle East, one office on the base provides support for spouses and children who await their return.
Fort Riley's Soldier and Family Support Center is there to help women like Jenny, a 19-year-old wife of a soldier in the war against Iraq. For her, the crisis came as she watched the news on CNN.
Jenny, whose last name and those of other family members were withheld for security reasons, was sure she heard that her husband's armored combat unit had tangled with Iraqi troops in a firefight in southern Iraq. Married just eight months and frantic with worry, she turned to the center for help.
If they're not worried about their families, they're going to execute their mission more effectively." Lt. Col. Todd Livick Army's spokesman at Fort Riley
Inquiries were made, and the reassuring news came back: Her husband was fine.
Part of the center's job is to respond to such concerns. With the start of the war in Iraq, calls from worried relatives are increasing, said Lt. Col. Curt Higdon.
The center also is there for the daily concerns of military families. If there is a problem with a soldier's pay, the center helps clear it up. If the family car
develops a strange noise, the center helps find a repair shop
And officers from the adjutant general's department help soldiers and their spouses draw up wills.
Besides helping those at home, the center also helps ease the minds of those in the field.
Lt. Col. Todd Livick, the Army's spokesman at Fort Riley, said soldiers at the front need to know their spouses and children are being taken care of. They want to know that family problems are being handled.
"It's a proven fact," Livick said. "If they're not worried about their families, they're going to execute their mission more effectively."
Higdon said family support services at the post have been centralized since the 1991 Persian Gulf War, and the post now provides a one-stop shop for any family need.
The Internet and e-mail have become major tools in helping families to stay in touch, Higdon said.
Some units, he added, receive video calls from family members in the United States, like the 4-year-old who got a soldier outfit from his father overseas.
"The boy couldn't wait to show his dad how good he looked in it," Higdon said.
As relief from news coverage of the war, family assistance groups go on trips to the zoo, shopping in Kansas City or to sports events, Higdon said.
The center organizes bowling and skating parties for the children.
"Anything to take their minds off of what's going on," he said.
Rallies across country show support for war
The Associated Press
NEW YORK — A day after massive anti-war rallies attracted thousands across the nation — including more than 100,000 people in a march down Broadway — hundreds of people gathered in Times Square and other cities yesterday to show support for the war in Iraq.
About 600 people waved American flags and chanted "U-S-A! U-S-A!" at the Times Square demonstration.
"Thank God we have a president who is a real global leader, protecting our liberty and security, relentless in his pursuit of justice and not bending to the appeasers," said Republican activist Michael Benjamin, who is considering a run for U.S. Senate against Charles Schumer in 2004.
"The entire world community has said time and again that Saddam Hussein is a danger and that he must be disarmed," said former Jersey City Mayor Bret Schundler. "But it is the United States and the coalition of the willing which has finally been willing to stand up and say, 'What must be done, let it be done now.'"
On Saturday, a throng 30 city blocks long had marched down Broadway to oppose the war. Organizers put the crowd at 250,000; police said it was 125,000 strong. Police said 91 people were arrested, and 16 officers were hospitalized after they were sprayed with an unknown substance.
Near Richmond, Va., yesterday, police said more than 5,000 people showed up to show their support for the war — something veterans Terry Steer said they could have used during Vietnam.
troops because I know what it was like when people didn't," said Steer, 55, who fought during the 1968 Tet Offensive with the 1st Air Calvary Division of the Army. "That can't happen again."
"I'm here to support the
Forrest Winks, a 14-year-old corporal in his high school's Junior Army ROTC program, said he sees the soldiers on television and hears duty calling.
"I really wish I could be out there with them taking part, but it's very scary, too. I know that," Forrest said, in his dark green dress uniform and black beret. "I'm stuck here, at home."
Onstage at the outdoor pavilion, a historical reenactor recited Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death" speech. Supporters sang the national anthem, removed their hats and bowed their heads in prayer.
In Washington, about 300 activists turned out for a pro-military rally on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, waving signs saying "God bless our troops" and "Freedom is not free." Republican Congressman Steve King of Iowa said all Americans — even the ones opposing the war — need to stand behind the troops now that the war is underway, and that some protesters have been displaying "un-American values."
On a day when pro-war supporters made the most noise, anti-war demonstrators still made themselves heard. In Providence, R.I., about 200 people gathered on the Statehouse lawn, holding snapshots of Iraqi families to symbolize the suffering of those impacted by the war.
"This is the face of collateral damage," Karina Wood of Rhode Island Peace Action said of the pictures.
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