IN BRIEF: WXPN holding forum on Gulf crisis

The presentation, which will feature remarks by two Middle East experts, is part of the six-hour program entitled, "Line in the Sand: War or Peace in the Middle East?", anchored by Neil Conan of National Public Radio. Following the presentation at the University, two other portions will be broadcast from other Philadelphia locations. WXPN's segment will be led by Washington, D.C., radio station host Diane Rehm and will featuring Edward Luttuak, from the Center for Stategic and International Studies in Washington, and George Ball, undersecretary of state of the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Also scheudled to speak are Executive Director of the Arab American Institute James Zagby and Sais Abdulla, who was named Political Science chairperson at Kuwait University just before the August 2 invasion of Iraq. After brief statements, the panel will be questioned by local media representitives and the audience. "We have two of the leading strategic thinkers of the subject," said Vince Curren, WXPN assistant manager. "This is a good chance for people at Penn to get over to Annenberg and see what is happening." In addition to the debates, each segment will feature a 15-minute strategic simulation with analysis by military and political experts. "We are hoping people will listen and have a better understanding of the situation so they can make informed decisions," WXPN News Director Julie Drizin said yesterday. WXPN came up with the idea for the program only recently, "when it really seemed likely that we could go to war," said Curren. Drizin added, "It's really unprecedented for three radio stations to combine for one broadcast and air it at the same time." Tickets are still available for the Annenberg presentation and can be reserved by calling WXPN directly. The three presentations will be broadcast simultaneously on WXPN, WHYY-FM (90.9) and WRTI-FM (90.1) from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. -- Robert Botel

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