UMaine in violation

Your recent coverage in the article, “Protests target UMaine support of Iraq meeting; postponed forum’s focus on trade opportunities” (BDN, Nov. 13), of the protest at the University of Maine, which targeted the university’s involvement in the planned conference “Doing Business in Iraq,” failed to mention what may be the most important consideration: the illegality of the Bush administration’s plans for privatizing and selling off Iraqi businesses to U.S.-based corporations.

On Sept. 19, Paul Bremer enacted Order 39 that decreed the privatization of 200 Iraqi state companies; that foreign companies can retain 100 percent ownership of Iraqi banks, mines and factories; and that U.S. firms can move 100 percent of the profits out of Iraq. These actions violate the Hague Regulations of 1907 and the 1949 Geneva Convention, which were ratified by the United States.

The U.S. Army’s Law of Land Warfare states that “the occupant does not have the right of sale or unqualified use of nonmilitary property.”

The Bangor Daily News reported that the university’s president, Peter Hoff, supported “… the rights of both sides, and that … the college of business had a right to be involved.” I suggest to Hoff that these actions violate international law, and the university’s involvement will violate ethical principles and lead to the further exploitation of the Iraqi people.

Peter Millard

Orono