Ambassador Haitham Rashid Wihaib, Saddam Hussein's former personal secretary, will be making his first public speaking appearance in the United States at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 22, at Virginia Tech's Burruss Hall. Admission is free to the public and doors will open at 6:30 p.m.

Wihaib will speak about life under Saddam's dictatorship, his work for the regime, and the circumstances leading to his ultimate escape. Wihaib also will discuss his view of the U.S. invasion of Iraq, the continuing insurgency, ongoing reconstruction efforts, prospects for democracy in Iraq and the region in light of sectarian and tribal differences and continuing instability.

The event is hosted by Virginia Tech's Political Science Club and International Relations Organization. For more information, contact Valerie Szybala at psc@vt.edu.

The Political Science Club (PSC) is a student-run organization entering its second year at Virginia Tech. Through activities, students gain leadership and networking experience with a variety of faculty, student organizations, and potential future employers.

The International Relations Organization is a club that hosts speakers from around the world to discuss pressing international issues and ensures that the campus is informed of global events and crises.

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