THE SHOWDOWN
"It was clear after the Gulf War that Saddam Hussein wouldn't just let things be. Now is the time to put an end to all this." KARI PATILA Joutseno, Finland
Your report on the crisis with Iraq was thought provoking [WORLD, Nov. 24]. Why has the most powerful free nation in the world allowed Iraq to become its nemesis? A few dictators now control world policies. The U.N. has become little more than a propaganda forum for those who wish to disparage the U.S. The U.N. must have all nations in agreement for its decisions to be carried out. It would be impotent if it didn't have its kicking dog, the U.S., to back up its resolutions for sanctions. FREDERICK A. CLARY Roseville, Minn.
If only U.S. leaders could see themselves as clearly as they purport to see Iraq's Saddam: punitive, authoritarian, armed to the teeth and prone to solve problems with violence. It is hard to say which side is more frightening. SUZY T. KANE Bedford Hills, N.Y.
I was disappointed by your portrayal of President Clinton and Saddam on your cover. The juxtaposition of Clinton and a maniacal-looking Saddam panders to a comic-book view of the crisis. I pray for a day when conflict can be handled with maturity and restraint, and we can finally leave the "boys-with-big-guns" attitude behind us. DAVID BESTWICK-SATTERLEE Philadelphia
If we do not get rid of the chemical and biological weapons over there, we'll eventually be dealing with their consequences over here. BILL MURDOCK Newport Beach, Calif.
The bitter fruit of George Bush's decision not to finish off Saddam is with us today: the suffering and death of thousands of Kurds and Arabs, constant subterfuge and concealment of Iraqi efforts to rearm with terrorist weapons, infliction of deprivation that Saddam blames on the U.N. sanctions, and a litany of other atrocious deeds. No wonder the Israelis, realists by bitter experience, are once again buying gas masks. Former President Bush, like Macbeth, has "scotch'd the snake, not kill'd it," with predictable consequences. DAVID H. SPODICK Northborough, Mass.
We need to understand the cultural reasoning of America's adversaries. Your article demonstrated a knowledge of the workings of Saddam's mind. He is concerned not with world opinion but with becoming a leader of an Islamic jihad that will topple the "Great Satan" (the U.S.). In order to be successful, we must obtain open support from the Arab countries in the region before taking any action. We cannot allow Iraq's leader to be viewed as an Islamic martyr; he must be seen for the tyrant he is. Any assassination attempt on his life by the West would be counterproductive. MARK W. MCLAUGHLIN Walpole, Maine
The U.S. already has a bad reputation as a browbeating, capitalistic, violent society capable of using any means necessary to maintain economic power. In writing about the possibility of killing Saddam, J.F.O. McAllister says, "It's not smart for the U.S., which has a huge stake in world order, to be seen as resorting to a little terror of its own" [VIEWPOINT, Nov. 24]. But that is a lame excuse. The only "unintended consequences" of assassinating Saddam would probably be higher morale all around and a newfound respect for the U.S. CAROL BANKS WEBER Honolulu