State Sen. Deddeh, Iraqi Native, Supports Bush’s Military Moves in Middle East

Visibly anguished, state Sen. Wadie P. Deddeh (D-Bonita) told his legislative colleagues Thursday that he backs President Bush’s military actions in Iraq but urged him not to create “further enmity towards the United States in that part of the world.”

After his Senate floor speech, Deddeh, who was born in Iraq, said in an interview that he’s received several telephone threats because of his Iraqi background, but dismissed them as “crank calls.”

Deddeh’s remarks came during discussion over a Senate resolution calling on Californians to conserve energy through car-pooling and fuel-efficient vehicles to ease the nation’s dependence on foreign oil during the current Mideast confrontation between Iraq and the United States.

“The problem in the Middle East is not going to be contained,” said an emotional Deddeh, who grew up in Iraq before emigrating to America in 1947. He visited his native country on behalf of the Carter Administration in 1979 and was under consideration by the Reagan Administration for an ambassadorship to the Middle East.

“Unfortunately for us in the West, we are identified with the forces that are trying to stifle the rise of Arab nationalism. This is what concerns me,” Deddeh said.

“And, while I pray for my President and support him, I hope we will not do anything that would create further enmity toward the United States in that part of the world,” he said.

Deddeh said he fears for his 300 relatives living in Baghdad, which could be destroyed “within hours” by American forces. “A lot of innocent people will go, on both sides, unfortunately,” he said.

He also predicted that “a lot of Arab leaders would be destabilized” during the current crisis. But, despite his misgivings, Deddeh said he was supporting the resolution and Bush’s actions so far. “In times of crisis, there is no Democrat, there is no Republican. We’re all Americans.”

After his remarks, Deddeh was publicly commended by Sen. Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) for expressing himself despite an “incredible number of threats, not only from his own area but from other parts of the state, because of his heritage.”

After the remarks, Deddeh said he has received a “couple of crank calls from crackpots and a letter,” but declined to discuss them further. “Just let it go at that. I don’t want to escalate it or attract attention to it.”