Why Muslim Troops?

I agree with Chris Wilcox (Aug. 10) that America is not up to the job. But I disagree with the two simplistic and naive choices he presents. The problems in Iraq are due to the US occupation. No country, Muslim or not, is willing to send troops to Iraq as long as the US troops remain there. I suggest the following:

• The US should start unconditional withdrawal of troops to be completed before the November presidential elections. These troops should be replaced by UN troops from all those countries that did not participate in the American war against the people of Iraq. This action alone will make a big difference to the situation.

• The British forces should withdraw immediately.

• The British and US should pay for the cost of rebuilding whatever they destroyed during the last 15 years.

• Not only Muslim countries (whoever they may be) but the Christian countries of Europe (France and Germany), Russia, China and others should too send troops to replace the so-called coalition forces.

• Control of oil resources should be handed over to the Iraqis immediately.

• The British and US should pay for the costs of troop deployment to the countries who send their troops to Iraq to clean up the mess created by the US and Britain.

• The British and US should compensate the families of those who were killed by US and British bullets, all the bombings and torture by US troops.

• Saddam Hussein (once a blue-eyed boy of the US) should be tried in the World Court and the proceedings should be open to the public so he can tell his story about who provided him with the chemicals he used against the Iranians and the Kurds and who egged him on to invade Kuwait.

For a long-lasting peace in the Middle East, I suggest that the Bush administration must rein in Sharon. Areas that are called Israel and Palestine should be combined to form one country for the Jews, Christians and Muslims of Palestine who have lived there for centuries unlike most of the Israelis who are imported.

Mr. Wilcox, “Know Justice, Know Peace”

M. Ali • Chicago, US published 13 August 2004

Why Muslim Troops? [2]

Sending Muslim troops to Iraq will not do anything to alleviate the suffering of the Iraqis. What makes people think that the insurgents would spare Muslim soldiers from other countries? Those who come in response to US call would be regarded as collaborators.

The coalition troops in Iraq have been forced to hunker down and assume defensive positions to avoid high casualties. If Muslim troops were sent to Iraq, they would surely do the same. Foreign soldiers will be targeted and killed regardless of the flag they fly. Since America and Britain are responsible for creating the situation in Iraq, it is only fair that they should pay the price until the Iraqis can take over.

Yusuf Patel • UK published 13 August 2004

Saudi Summer Festival

A delightful report, Roger Harrison (Aug. 1), and what a wonderful idea of Prince Turki’s. I can well identify with Fiona & Peter, being a recent expat myself. Exactly what Prince Turki is attempting to achieve in the UK, I have thought of trying to achieve in Canada (bringing Saudi Arabia to my friends within our home). Whatever stories we have to tell about our experiences in KSA, the people here simply lap it up, as they are genuinely interested in knowing more about the country and its culture. It would be so nice if this could be incorporated into the activities of their embassies in other countries. Our home city is currently featuring a Folklorama, a celebration of the many cultures within our community and my family just remarked, “Where is the Arab pavilion? Wouldn’t that be an awesome addition!”

Mary Poppins • Canada published 13 August 2004

Wrong Comparison

This is in response to the letter by George Clark from Texas (Aug. 9). Maybe the Arab world has not suffered the number of deaths the US has. But that does not mean that they can’t talk about their rights.

If you want to talk about it from that perspective, I am sorry because you are sadly mistaken. They are not going to let this go on until they have reached the death toll “highlighted” by the US government in all the wars and terror attacks. And you certainly can’t compare the lives of people with baseball games. (Please note that I have nothing against US society or people. What I am criticizing is mainly the US government). I may be young as I still go to school, but people do have their own rights.

Sridhar • India published 13 August 2004

Ban on Al-Jazeera

This is in reference to William Fisher’s article, “Ban on Al-Jazeera Not Going to End Iraq’s Troubles” (Aug. 9). I am not an Arabic speaker but I still watch Al-Jazeera as it shows the realities on the ground, and real situations as they appear. We need more Al-Jazeera-type channels to counter the Jewish-dominated media in the West.

Mohammed • Saudi Arabia published 13 August 2004

Ban on Al-Jazeera [2]

Restrictions on full and honest reporting are not acceptable to the citizens of the world. We need to know what is happening to human beings like ourselves at the hands of the superpowers of this world, either directly or through their clients. We must know and we must refuse to be gagged.

John Finlayson • USA published 13 August 2004

Ban on Al-Jazeera [3]

Of course a ban on Al-Jazeera is not going to end Iraq’s troubles, but it can’t hurt either. I am all for freedom of the press, but when a “news network’s” whole purpose is to incite violence and hatred, I have a problem. As unstable as Iraq is at this time, the authorities cannot allow a station like Al-Jazeera to operate. Would the United States allow the KKK to broadcast propaganda 24 hours a day on the most popular television station in America? I do not think so. Criticism of the government should of course be allowed.

Douglas Waldroop • USA published 13 August 2004

Ban on Al-Jazeera [4]

The interim government’s decision to ban Al-Jazeera is a kind and a very civilized response to a network that is advocating terrorism (Islamist and Baathist) in Iraq.

Ed Jazairi • USA published 13 August 2004

English Phobia

This relates to Abdullah Sayil’s comment “English Phobia” (Aug. 9). This is just another example of the left hand not knowing what the right hand is doing. We are trying hard to solve the unemployment problem. One of the main obstacles is the lack of English knowledge among young Saudis. And now some ignorant ministry official is banning teaching English to six graders. This is a crime against the future of our nation.

K. Alwassia • Saudi Arabia published 13 August 2004

Who Will Pay?

This refers to Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid’s column of Aug. 10. Does not matter who is trying to do what for Iraq, extremists will kill everyone to advance their own narrow vision. So quit blaming all the troubles in Iraq on the so-called US occupation. We are there now at the interim government’s request, whether we coerced that or not doesn’t matter. We were asked to stay. Now it is up to the rest of the Muslim world to prove that they mean business fighting against their own terrorists that sprout like weeds.

Ervin Carroll • USA published 13 August 2004

Who Will Pay? [2]

The Mujahedeen are the real and imminent threat to Iraq according to Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid. Really? To others the Mujahedeen are freedom fighters prepared to defend Islam at whatever it takes.

K. Schwarz • Saudi Arabia published 13 August 2004

Who Will Pay? [3]

Dear Abdul Rahman Al-Rashid: Who will pay the price in Iraq, you ask. That is not the question for a Saudi to pose. The question is who will pay the price in Saudi Arabia? If the threat of terrorism is real and imminent as you say it is what steps, beside limited self-defense, will the Saudi nation take to defeat terrorism?

Carlos Rivera • USA published 13 August 2004

CIA Rules

Mohammed Salahuddin in his column (Aug. 10) refers to “new American techniques and procedures approved by Donald Rumsfeld to fight terrorism — such as allowing the CIA to execute terrorists wherever they are found...” It would be useful to know the writer’s source for this claim. Rumsfeld is very powerful, but does not make rules for the CIA.

William Fisher • USA published 13 August 2004

Those Who Justify Crimes

This refers to Aziza Al-Manie’s comment (Aug. 10). I do not think my country doesn’t have social problems; however, even a known prostitute cannot be raped without a criminal investigation. Whether a virgin or a whore, all women have rights.

You are right that male children are not taught how to act. I witnessed a 7- or 8-year-old boy slapping his mother in the face so hard that her glasses flew from her face. Neither she nor his father did anything. This was at an airport. I was stunned. This was the first day of my stay in the Kingdom. Over the months of my stay, I saw many incidents of male children being allowed to behave like this.

Ann Hutton • USA published 13 August 2004

Etisalat Wins License

It would be really nice having a competitor to STC thereby ending their monopoly and I enjoyed reading the report about Etisalat winning Saudi Arabia’s second mobile phone license (Aug. 10), but when I reached the part on landlines and Internet services I felt sorry.

They would still be under the jurisdiction of STC until 2008. This means we will have to bear the expensive services of STC until at least 2008.

I would like STC to change their local call charges, specially the Internet charges, and just charge a single call when a dial-up is connected as is the case in some countries.

Faiz Khilji • Saudi Arabia published 13 August 2004