PEOPLE HERE MAINTAIN WAR NOW INEVITABLE

CAPE GIRARDEAU -- People questioned here Monday were divided on whether the use of force by the United States against Iraq is necessary. But right or wrong, most said they think a war in the Persian Gulf is unavoidable.

"I don't want to see it happen, but it looks like we have no choice," said Anita Crabtree of Imperial.

Crabtree and her husband, David, were in Cape Girardeau on their honeymoon. She said the crisis in the gulf is very much on their minds.

She said people are not prepared for the effects a war in the Persian Gulf will have on those at home.

"The country may be ready for it, but I don't think people are ready to bury their children. I don't think they're ready for even the first dead soldier to come home in a body bag."

David Crabtree said he's against the use of military force in the gulf.

"We have more important things to worry about and to pour our money into than what's going on over there," he said.

Austin Willis of Jonesboro, Ark., said although he is not in favor of a war he thinks it is inevitable.

Troops "are over there and they're ready to fight," Willis said. "I think they will fight. I hope I'm wrong."

Willis, who was shopping in Cape Girardeau, said President Bush "made a mistake" when he first sent troops to the region.

"If Kuwait were just a mediocre country without all those big oil wells, I don't think our country would show that much interest in it," said Willis.

"It's a bad situation. Everybody loses in a war, even the winner."

Michelle Dean of Cape Girardeau said although she had hoped war could be avoided military force needs to be used to stop Saddam Hussein.

She said the U.S. needs to stop Saddam before Iraq's military strength becomes as technologically advanced as that of the United States'.

"I hate to see it but I think it needs to be done," said Dean. "I hope it can be done without too many losses of lives on our side and on theirs."

Dean said divided opinions among people in the United States on whether the U.S. should go to war will make for unrest in the country if there is war.

"There are a lot of people against it those who have sons or daughters over there and I can understand that," she said. "But there are a lot of people who feel it is necessary."

Greg Inman of Ste. Genevieve said war could erupt in the gulf within a wee and the U.S. is ready for it, at least militarily.

"It's too late to back out now, Inman said. "The troops are already over there."

But a war with Iraq would not last long, he said.

"Mr. Hussein is going to fight for about a week and then ask for a peace agreement," Inman said. He said Iraq's military force does not compare to that of the U.S.

Marilyn Ervin of Cape Girardeau said President Bush has promised that a war in the gulf would not be "another Vietnam. "I'm taking (Bush) at his word," she said. "And I hope he doesn't disappoint me."

Ervin said she remembers when American troops returned from Vietnam and were harassed and persecuted by fellow citizens.

"We need to keep supporting the troops over there," said Ervin, "Anyone who serves in a war should be treated right and with honor.

Ervin said if the U.S. does go to war with Iraq, support of the war effort by Americans would be crucial to the morale of the troops.

Dana Donovan of St. Louis, a student at Southeast Missouri State University, said the American people can trust Bush to make a responsible decision concerning the situation in the gulf. "I feel the president knows what he's doing," she said.

Virginia Hoehn of Malden said the U.S. should move quickly toward military action in the gulf. "We should go in there and do a swift, surgical strike," she said.

Hoehn's husband was a Marine during World War II, her brother participated in the Korean War and her son was a soldier in Vietnam. She said the U.S. must act as a world peacekeeper and do what it can to stop Saddam.

Hoehn's shopping companion, Rose Massie of Cape Girardeau, said the possibility of war is almost constantly in her thoughts. Her nephew is a Navy fighter pilot.

"If it does come to that, I hope it's quick." said Massie.