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I DISAGREE WITH CHIRAC'S POLICIES IN general and in particular with the carrying out of nuclear tests in French Polynesia. Nevertheless, I ask myself why Australia and New Zealand have not said a word about the Chinese nuclear tests that have continued to take place. Why don't they protest against the nuclear power plants still working in the former U.S.S.R.? Have the Australians forgotten that their country sells uranium to France? Chirac's government has decided to conduct the tests because of the French nuclear lobby, which represents companies that give thousands of people their jobs. FABRICE LEVEQUE Fresnoy le Luat, France
MODERN-DAY BOMBS ARE MANY TIMES as powerful as the Hiroshima bomb, and the consequences of their use are even more horrific. What else do French scientists need to know? PETER KIDDS Workingham, England
FRANCE A NUCLEAR POWER? THIS MAY BE feasible, there may be credence to it, but to what avail? These tests have been carried out in total disregard for the environment and the hazards posed to the ecosystem. What's more, the impounding of Greenpeace vessels by the French defies international convention. ALNASHIR D. WALJI Nairobi
MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE WORLD HAVE condemned France's resumption of nuclear tests. How many of them are ready not to drink French wine or eat French cheese? Will they not drive French cars or visit Paris? If they do boycott France and French products, then their condemnation is valid. FREDDY GARCIA-ROSELL Lima
SAVING SIBERIA WITH CAPITALISM
AS A FULBRIGHT SCHOLAR IN ARCTIC AND environmental studies and a participant in an exchange with the Russian Academy of Sciences, I focused on the ecological impact associated with development of the Russian north, including Siberia [COVER STORY, Sept. 4]. I welcome your efforts to publicize what is indeed an environmental crisis of international concern in that region. However, your essential question "Can Siberia be saved by capitalism?'' was inadequately answered. You published a photograph of a devastating clear-cutting of timber resulting from a Russian joint venture with Hyundai, yet nowhere is the nature of that tragic deal covered in the article. We need the full story to learn from the mistakes made by Hyundai and others if capitalism is to become part of the solution to Russia's problems. BRUCE C. FORBES Rovaniemi, Finland Via E-mail
BRINGING THE SERBS TO HEEL
RUSSIA'S PACIFIST ATTITUDE TOWARD Bosnia is ironic [COVER STORIES, Sept. 11]. Nine months ago, President Boris Yeltsin mutilated the city of Grozny and reduced it to rubble with artillery, ground troops and air strikes. In fact, Russian leaders repudiated any proposals for negotiations by the Chechen side and dismissed reports of human-rights violations and appalling atrocities committed by Russian troops. Now, when circumstances call for genuine action in the Balkans, Russia wants to deter any progress and is calling for peace talks despite massive evidence of the Bosnian Serbs' failure to keep their promises. NITIN UMAPATHI Bangalore, India Via E-mail
WILL NATO INTERVENTION CONVINCE THE Balkans that blood cannot be washed away by blood? JAMES NICHOLAS, International Secretary World Council for Global Co-Operation Toronto
CORRECTION