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Michael Southwick, former U.S. Ambassador to Uganda, is representative of Westerners who blindly believe that a Western form of democracy is the only form for every society. But in Africa, as in many other societies, tradition and culture cannot be separated and replaced with foreign ways of life. Wealth transcends culture, and economic freedom is part of building that wealth. The world must encourage mutual trading relationships so that both Africans and their partners outside Africa can benefit. YUNUS BADAT Cleveland, Ohio
I concur with Museveni's statement, "Unless you say all the societies in the whole world are uniform, then you cannot say their political management must be uniform." First, feed the hungry, shelter the homeless and heal the sick. Then give them political liberties. It may be repulsive to Western civil libertarians, but as Museveni says, Africa is not the West. Fundamental rights can be given attention only when the socioeconomic and cultural diversity of a state has reached the right equilibrium. KIPKORIR KIRUI Dallas
You ignored the rampant corruption and nepotism in Uganda. Something is wrong there. With per-capita income at $240, how can Museveni afford to fight other people's wars? HENRY ISIKO Lake Providence, La.
STRIKE WINNERS AND LOSERS
I don't believe the majority of Americans think the UPS strike settlement is a victory for the American worker and a defeat for corporate greed [BUSINESS, Sept. 1]. As a small-business owner, I can assure you the winner is not the American worker. The stockholders of UPS will make sure that the company's return on investment is not hurt and will do so by raising prices and reducing costs. The losers will be all of us, since we will pay more for the freight on practically everything we buy. The losers are also those UPS workers who will be laid off at some point. The winners are other shipping companies that will get business from firms like mine (I will no longer give UPS all my business), senior UPS employees--and Teamsters Union president Ron Carey. JEFF SMITH Beaumont, Texas
The focus by the Teamsters Union on part-timers as an issue of UPS labor practices has the unfortunate side effect of casting a negative light on part-time work in general. Clearly, using part-time employees as a strategy to avoid paying benefits is questionable and should be addressed at the negotiating table. But part-time work can benefit both employers and employees. One of the biggest trends in employment has been part-time professional work, especially for women. They are quietly getting the work done while at the same time feeling good about their families. For them, part-time employment offers a unique package of family values, feminism and fat paychecks all wrapped up in one gloriously shorter workweek. NANCY CHAMBERS AND CINDY TOLLIVER Cliffside Park, N.J.
You suggested that the voiding of Carey's election as Teamsters president is bad news for him [NOTEBOOK, Sept. 1]. But what about the taxpayers who shelled out $22 million to "monitor" that union election--at a cost of about $100 for each vote cast? That is outrageous! If another union election is held, it should be paid for by the Teamsters, not the Federal Government. S. HARDING LINDHULT Hatboro, Pa.
JELLY BEANS OF HOPE