(2 of 4)
The questions about Pakistan's links to terrorism raised in your article "Is Pakistan a Friend or a Foe?" should be investigated [WORLD, Sept. 29]. I am bothered by the U.S.'s hesitancy to confront Pakistan regarding its reluctance to curb Muslim fanatics. It appears that the U.S. government has overestimated Pakistan's contribution in the fight against terrorism and should re-evaluate its ties to that nation. Pakistan must give up the idea that tolerating fanatics is necessary for domestic harmony. It may be expedient for Pakistan, but it could prove catastrophic for the U.S. The least Washington can do is make all aid to Pakistan strictly contingent on that country's progress toward the complete elimination of those who support terrorist acts. If Pakistan truly opposes terrorism, then it must respect America's concerns. VIJAY AMARSHI Chatsworth, Calif.
Your report gave an unfair perspective on Pakistan's role in helping the U.S. battle terrorism and did not give enough credit to how Pakistan, with its meager resources, has managed to help the U.S. Every country in the world has some radical religious elements. That the Pakistani people discuss their future goals in a civilized manner shows how that relatively young country is evolving into a nation. The U.S. and the rest of the world are deeply in debt to Pakistan for clamping down on the Taliban's resources, an act that was instrumental in the U.S.'s swift victory in Afghanistan. Pakistan has also suffered from terrorism, and its people understand what the U.S. has gone through since 9/11. It was out of principle and friendship that Pakistan gave the U.S. a helping hand. MUHAMMAD MANSOOR ALAM Cleveland, Ohio
SYMPATHY FOR THE FRENCH
Re Michael Elliott's commentary on the new burst of Francophobia in the U.S. [GLOBAL AGENDA, Sept. 29]: Elliott has obviously fallen prey to French propaganda. The notion that France didn't want to go to war because there would be an adverse reaction by Middle Eastern radicals is nonsense. France didn't want to go to war because it would mean loss of its influence (and economic benefits) in Iraq and possibly other countries in the region. France thinks about itself first, last and always. Although it did the right thing in generations long past, it is now nothing more than a self-centered embarrassment, not an ally of the U.S.'s. RICHARD VILKIN Henderson, Nev.
Elliott provided a voice of sanity on why the French behave as they do in pursuing their interests. It has been enormously frustrating to hear France bashers sum up Paris' behavior by saying, "They just hate us for being Americans." How arrogant to insist that no one else on this planet has the right to pursue and express ideas different from the prevailing neoconservative thinking in Washington. Americans are finally starting to confront the cold reality that the world is far more complex than the black-and-white picture often painted for us by the Bush Administration. This doesn't mean we should forgive the French for opposing us, but we should perhaps scale back the shrill anger that boils out of conservative think tanks when anyone else dares to have a different world view. CHRISTOPHER LANE Tucson, Ariz.