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What a pity that we have a Prime Minister who does not know how to react in an emergency [Disasters, Feb. 6]. What a pity that we have industries that arrogantly and foolishly boasted of their seismological technology. What a pity that because of Japan's bureaucracy the foreign doctors and Swiss and French rescue dogs were delayed long enough to have prevented them from saving tens or possibly hundreds of people.
Wataru Yabuki Tokyo
In addition to leaving an unending trail of devastation, the earthquake has left a message for all those who are living in the world of illusion. Tragedy becomes unbearable when it is measured in terms of material loss, and therefore wisdom demands that we balance our material considerations with the power of moral and spiritual resilience. No scientific or technological miracle can make us invulnerable to the invincible force of nature.
H.C. Shukul Baroda, India
Mission Not Adversely Affected
I take exception to your assertion that I deliberately misled Congress regarding the readiness of our forces during last year's crisis with Iraq [Inside Washington, Feb. 6]. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your item said I failed to inform Congress that ``four of 12 cargo ships rushing tanks and ammo to the Middle East broke down en route,'' thus jeopardizing our ability to respond effectively. There were some minor problems, as there can be with any operation. However, the vessels arrived on time, there was no delay in the discharge of their cargo, and the mission was never adversely affected. In fact, the ships' performance represents significant improvement over Operation Desert Shield and is a direct result of the investment of significant resources since that time.
John M. Shalikashvili, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Washington
Judaism Resurgent
As the world is remembering the Auschwitz death camp, Jews throughout Europe are gaining a new self-confidence [Europe, Feb. 6]. From my point of view as a German, this is a very positive development, important for the Jews themselves and for the vast opportunities it offers this country's current generation to normalize relations. Nevertheless, many Jews share a certain pessimism: they don't believe in man's ability to learn from history. Of course, human rights are still violated in Europe as well as outside this continent, but since the atrocities of Auschwitz, a lot has been done to achieve equality of races and religions, especially in the Western world. Remembrance was part of this process, and so is forgiveness.
Christian Hartenberger, age 17 Gunzburg, Germany
Your seemingly upbeat article about the Jewish renaissance in Eastern Europe is a pitiful reminder of just how long lasting the victim-hostage syndrome can be. These Jews are giddy with excitement because they have been thrown a few crumbs of tolerance. They live in a place where embedded anti-Semitism manifests itself in the crudest forms every day. Yet I don't blame these poor victims for their delusions. I blame the Jewish philanthropic organizations that build schools when they should be using all their resources to get Jews to Israel--or at least to a place with some sort of track record of human rights.
Wilfred M. Weinstein Sherman Oaks, California