Letters

(2 of 3)

Feelings of Unease

Many of us have serious doubts about the U.S. government and deplore its foreign policy [COVER STORY, April 21]. The invasion of Iraq was unnecessary. True, the dictator has gone, but the people have paid a terrible price. Few Iraqis feel "liberated." Can we be blamed for feeling uneasy about the future? It's hard to ignore the U.S.-wrought trail of wreckage and carnage extending from Nicaragua to El Salvador to Chile to Vietnam to Cambodia and now to Iraq.
GERALD W. HANKINS
Canmore, Alta.

Liberation for Iraq, they say! What about the Saudi Arabian government? It tolerates no dissent, practices such barbaric punishment as mutilation and decapitation for criminals and has little regard for women's rights. Yet the U.S. has nothing to say about this! The main goal of U.S. foreign policy is to protect, preserve and enhance American economic and strategic interests worldwide.
REYNARD HING
Manila

The war has left Iraq in ruins. As anarchy, looting and terror set in, Americans weren't even able to protect the country's infrastructure. They did, however, find ways to ensure that the oil fields remained intact. The world can now see what the real agenda was.
BOB PETRAS
Terrace, B.C.

Saddam may have been a dictator, but Bush and Blair were ruthless in attacking Iraq against the world's will, killing innocent people through heavy bombing.
SAIDA BANO
Karachi

Rebuilding Iraq

In rebuilding Iraq, one must recall examples of postcommunist countries like Poland [COVER STORY, April 21]. The allies have to install democratic institutions and above all school the Iraqi people in how to function in a democracy. The allies should send teachers to Iraq to train this new society. The coalition will thereby be perceived not only as occupying troops but also as real liberators. It is important to include Israel among the states giving charitable aid to Iraq. Jews will have a chance to be seen as friends of Arabs and the Islamic world.
MAREK WIEROSKI
Andrychw, Poland

Food for Faith

Your article "A Faith-Based Initiative" noted that some Christian evangelical organizations are ready to go into Iraq to distribute aid along with a Christian message [COVER STORY, April 21]. Shame on Franklin Graham of Samaritan's Purse and the Southern Baptist Convention for supporting the troops in Iraq and then using their organizations' aid as a tool to convert Muslims. The Mennonite Central Committee, Church World Service and Catholic Relief Services have it right: Simply show compassion for all God's people by meeting their needs. Leave the rest to God, by whatever name.
RICHARD H. ADAMS
Hector, N.Y.

The postwar Iraq situation is already turning into a religious controversy among Islamic groups. Let us not be so naive as to let evangelists take advantage of the situation. The Crusaders did enough damage more than a thousand years ago.
RICHARD J. PALMER
Isla Verde, P.R.

Who Will Be Next?

Your columnist Michael Elliott asked what the Bush Administration should do now and suggested that Iran and Syria ought to feel nervous because of their terrorist connections [GLOBAL AGENDA, April 21]. I say that any country that has harbored a terrorist, plans terrorist attacks or helps others carry out such attacks against the U.S. is who's next. The U.S. is not at war with only a few people or even a few nations. We are at war with the entire concept of international terrorism.
MICHAEL BUSSIO
Scotts Valley, Calif.

For Elliott to compare the U.S. with other "empires" is literary license at its worst. The U.S. has never engaged in empire building like France, Germany, Belgium, Italy, China and Japan. Nor does the U.S. have a history of conquests like the Muslims, Turks, Persians and Greeks, to name a few. The one thing the U.S. can pride itself on is that it isn't interested in long-term rule of others. We are too absorbed in TV soap operas and professional sports to be bothered.
ROY A. MURRAY JR.
Manassas, Va.

Of Leverage and Leadership

In "The Power Of One," Michael Kinsley gave George W. Bush credit for Gulf War II and called him "the real thing: a leader" [ESSAY, April 21]. That statement could not be further from the truth. True leaders were men like Churchill, Lincoln and Kennedy, who inspired resolve, hope and optimism, not fear and paranoia. President Bush has a habit of inspiring the American people through fear. He has no place among the august ranks of real leaders. It pains me that our elected officials have the ability to manipulate the American populace through fear, the lowest common denominator.
KEN RICHLIN
Long Branch, N.J.