Bush or Kerry?

Why reprint the same disinformation from the US media? The Washington Post and other papers may pretend to be unbiased but clearly aim to boost George Bush. There is nothing in this piece by Sebastian Mallaby, “Bush or Kerry? A Difficult Choice to Make” (Aug. 11) that is worthy of global dissemination.

Clouding the facts by distorting the records of both candidates is an ongoing process for the supporters of Bush. Bush has in the public record his terms as governor of Texas and the last four years as president to run on. And nothing justifies another four years for him. John Kerry does not have a record as president. However his public life is illuminated by a commitment to humanity and a moral conscience. Itemizing the accomplishments and failures of each man to assess their contributions to human dignity is the reasonable approach.

There is little doubt that John Kerry is in a weak position because “America is at war”. But something is missing in the ongoing debate about the credibility of America’s leadership. Saddam Hussein is deposed. But is the planet safer? Is this (Iraq) a “race” war? The quality of future life on the planet is at stake. To endorse and elect a man who professes the use of military might to wage war with impunity and in perpetuity without regard for the rule of law is criminal insanity. Mallaby says: “But if people see this as an easy choice, they see something I’m missing.” To me it looks as if he has already made his choice.

Otis G. Barlow • Newark published 15 August 2004

US Election

No matter who wins the US presidency in November, Christian fundamentalism will continue to believe what we believe and continue to support Israel. If Kerry should win, we will have more recruits from the non-religious conservatives. And recruiting from them will be easier. Kerry, if he should win, will not be able to stop us from doing what we do.

Ishii Clifflin • USA published 15 August 2004

Palestine and Nonviolence

I agree wholeheartedly with Dr. Vidyadhar Reddy’s letter (Aug. 8) on his alternative approach to creating a path to peace and stability in Palestine. I have been trying to spread a similar message to people I meet around the Middle East and further afield during my travels over the past few years.

When the topic of conversation turns to Palestine, the average person tries to make sense of the whole mess by ultimately apportioning blame to one side or the other and despondently resigning themselves to the status quo. It is so straightforward (and human, I guess) to blame the other for the way history has shaped the present difficult state of affairs in Palestine. Attempting to reverse this history by trying to wipe out one another in a vicious cycle of violence will not change a thing. As is clearly evident it will only breed more hatred and suffering for all parties involved. Every time a misguided and desperate martyr blows himself or herself and scores of innocent bystanders to pieces in a crowded café or bus station, the Western world cannot comprehend why somebody could commit such an atrocious act and naturally extends sympathy to our Western-style cousins in Israel. At such times, the majority in the West only feel repulsion for the Palestinian people in general, who appear to support such actions by their mass celebrations in the streets afterward. On the other hand, when the inevitable retaliatory strike of an Israeli tank or helicopter gunship destroys an innocent Palestinian home or an Israeli soldier kills an innocent Palestinian child, we feel angered that these tragedies are allowed to continue with apparent impunity.

If the Palestinian people decided to unite under a peaceful banner as Dr. Reddy suggests — then and only then would the people of other countries begin to apply serious and concerted pressure on their own governments (and in turn the US and Israeli governments) to intervene and help bring a peaceful and lasting settlement to the region.

To close, I truly wish that all out there realized that their actions are causing more harm than good to their cause. I hope instead they will pause for a moment and sit down with their peers and collectively make a plan for the largest and most peaceful demonstration that the world has ever seen. I believe this and only this will accurately show to the rest of humanity the true courage of the Palestinian people in these difficult times.

Matthew • Tabuk published 15 August 2004

Permanent Liberation

Communist leaders such as Lenin and Mao Zedong used to call for permanent revolution. US President Bush seems to be working for permanent liberation.

One and a half years after the Saddam statue was pulled down from the Firdous Square in Baghdad and President Bush declared his mission of “liberating” Iraq complete, US forces seem to be engaged in a mission of re-liberating various towns and cities and sometimes even districts within the cities of that unfortunate country. We saw US forces conducting nighttime bombing raids on targets in the Sunni city of Samarra Saturday. Najaf residents are also getting a flavor of US determination to liberate them anew. There are clashes between US troops and Iraqis in the city of Ramadi as well. Scores of Iraqis are dying every day.

Press reports say several 230-kilogram bombs had been dropped on “known enemy locations” in Samarra about 90 km of Baghdad, in strikes that began after Friday night. If things go on like this how many kilograms of bombs will have to be dropped and how many Iraqis will have to lose their lives before Iraq is liberated to the complete satisfaction the neocons in Washington?

K. Muhammad Ali • Riyadh published 15 August 2004

Paying Traffic Fines

I would like to draw your attention to a very important fact concerning the traffic department. The general public faces many difficulties when approaching the traffic department to settle traffic fines and related matters. For example, for the last few days, I have been going early in the morning, soon after the Fajr (dawn) prayer, to stand in a long queue of 200-300 people to get a token in order to enter the traffic office in Al-Sahafa district. Unfortunately when I reach the main gate after four hours of waiting in the hot sun, it is time for Dhuhr prayer and every body is told to come the next day. The same thing happened the next day and so on. To avoid such inconvenience to the public, it would be a good idea to reinstate the payment of fines directly through a bank.

M. Ashraf Khan • Saudi Arabia published 15 August 2004

No Genocide?

The European Union said Monday that its fact-finding mission to Sudan had found no evidence of genocide in the troubled region of Darfur, though there was widespread violence there. “We are not in a situation of genocide there,” said Pieter Feith, an adviser to EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana. What is genocide to this EU adviser after all? 50.000 slain, one million, two million maybe?

Uhmma • UK published 15 August 2004

Doctors Without Borders

I was saddened to learn that the indomitable human rights and aid organization Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) (Doctors Without Borders) is leaving Afghanistan after 24 years of having a presence there. The American forces that have exploited humanitarian aid to boost their own political and military ambitions, thereby blurring the line between humanitarian and military activities, have fatally compromised MSF’s presence. MSF has been tainted with doing the work of the US government, resulting in the recent killing of five of its staff members.

I beg MSF to reconsider. Afghanistan has suffered long enough from foreign invaders disguised as liberators.

Nalliah Thayabharan • Colombo published 15 August 2004

National Govt in India

After the death of Zia ul-Haq in 1988 in an air crash, the first general election in Pakistan gave a clear majority to the Pakistan Peoples Party in the National Assembly. The PPP was on the point of forming a government. I happened to be in a gathering of notables of the city. A professor and his wife who were members of a PPP think tank were among those present. I was for Ms. Benazir forming a national government with the second largest party in the National Assembly, the Muslim League of Nawaz Sharif. I took the liberty of asking the professor to convey this idea to Ms Benazir. He said he saw no reason for a national government. I still wonder whether the history of Pakistan would have taken a different course if a national government had been formed then.

After the recent elections in India it occurred to me how good it would be for the future of India as well as Pakistan and peace in South Asia, if the Congress-led UPA and the BJP-led NDA joined hands together to form a national government in New Delhi. After all both BJP and the Congress favor dialogue with Pakistan.

Jalal Ahmed • Karachi published 15 August 2004

No Country...

No country should go to Iraq to clean up the mess created by the American led “coalition of the willing”. No country should go to Iraq to get their people killed while Americans sleep peacefully in Iraq. No country should go to Iraq to help America pay for its lies, and nothing but more lies. No country should go to Iraq to cover up for America’s deception.

Why should any nation send troops to Iraq now that America is in a mess? America was not invited by Iraq to come for liberation! America was not asked by the Arab League to go into Iraq! America is ignorant of the history of the nation that it illegitimately occupies today. America has been arrogant and has found itself today in the quicksand of Arab world.

The French occupied Algeria for good, but they were made to leave. The British occupied India for keeps but had to leave. The Americans were in Vietnam but were forced to leave. The Russians occupied Afghanistan with determination but were forced out in disgrace.

America has come to Afghanistan and Iraq with similar ideas but it too will leave in a matter of time.

Tanweer Ameen • US published 15 August 2004

Do as the Romans Do

This is regarding Dr. Mohammad T. Al-Rasheed’s column (Aug. 12). Seems to me it was the Iraqi government who shut Al-Jazeera down. The government said it was fermenting insurrection and unrest in the country. How is it your article says it is the US government that shut it down? Oh, you think we twisted their arms to do so? Ah, so if the Iraqi government does something we tried to do, it is the US government trying to do it even if it is for the good of the country. Must be great to be able to take the praise or the blame for everything in a country whether or not you are responsible. Love your reporting! Wouldn’t miss a chance to read such unbiased stuff. Opens my eyes to the real state of affairs in the world as reported by such truthful people. Nice to know the US is so influential even when we don’t want to be such!

Ervin Carroll • USA published 15 August 2004

Expats’ Grievances

It is good news to hear that expatriates’ grievances will be heard by the elected members of municipal councils from their respective constituencies (Aug. 11). The government should also consider electing or selecting some representatives from the expat community to these councils. After all expat numbers are in excess of seven million.

Sahil • Saudi Arabia published 15 August 2004

Wives Sans Water

This refers to the Sidelights item, “Saudi Stops Water to Wives Over SR60 Bill” (Aug. 12). Your newspaper is to be praised for its superb objective journalism. Thanks.

Donald Williams • Texas, US published 15 August 2004