Parliament tours L.A., plays rugby

Clad in green, orange and black striped suits, members of the
British Parliament paid a visit to UCLA this past weekend to tour
the city, meet with students, and above all, to play rugby.

Prior to their game against the U.S. Cougars on Saturday, 16
members from the House of Commons and four members from the House
of Lords accepted a warm welcome from students, professors and
faculty members at Bradley International Hall on Friday.

The Dashew International Center for Students and Scholars at
UCLA hosted a buffet lunch reception and a “roundtable”
discussion to have students talk candidly about policy issues with
the Parliament members.

“The purpose of the event is to make a bridge between the
Los Angeles community and the rest of the world,” said
Marcelo Mitnik, director of programs at the Dashew International
Center.

Congress’ decision last week to grant President Bush the
power to use force against Iraq was a major topic at the
discussion, and speakers backed their country’s role.

Tony Blair was right to support the United States, said Huw
Edwards, member of the British Labor Party. But he said military
action should be the last resort.

Other members of Parliament emphasized the need to also keep in
mind current conflicts in the midst of the world’s
anti-terrorism focus, particularly that in Israel.

“We cannot look at (the situation) outside the context of
the Middle East,” said Clive Betts, a member of the
Parliament’s select committee on transport and the regions.
“We have to get the issue of Israel and Palestine back out
there and compromise.”

Switching gears in the discussion, one biology student
asked for the panel’s opinion of the relationship between
science and legislation, pointing out recent controversies dealing
with cloning.

It is important with scientific advances that you carry public
opinion with you, said Lord Thomas, the spokesman for Welsh
affairs. But he also pointed out their benefits in helping
fertility problems and currently incurable diseases like multiple
sclerosis.

The center of conversation then arrived at rugby, the
English-born sport that many of them have been playing since they
were children.

“It is a good opportunity to meet new friends,”
Betts said. “Sports bridges the international
divide.”

Omer Karim, one of two team doctors, said the best part about
playing rugby is that it raises money for charities and it gives
people a chance to talk on an informal level.

Before arriving in Los Angeles the British contingent was in New
York City playing rugby against the New York Athletic Club.

The members of Parliament, who form the Commons and Lords Rugby
Club, plan to tour Los Angeles before returning to London on
Tuesday. Their itinerary also includes visits to the J. Paul Getty
Museum and Venice Beach, and a game of cricket in Beverly
Hills.