Russia’s Hostage Crisis
Your article “Looking for Answers” (Europe, Nov. 11) restored my faith in the Western press. As I followed the events in Moscow closely by reading many different publications and monitoring several TV programs, I felt I was living in a world without values. Most articles I read referred to what you courageously called a “scandalous aftermath of the hostage taking” as a great success. The tremendous loss of life–the gassing of innocent people, the cold-blooded shooting of unconscious hostage takers without trying to disarm and handcuff them, and the clumsy and bungling efforts to provide medical treatment for the victims were either barely mentioned or swiftly dealt with as sad but inevitable consequences of hostage taking. The high death toll drives home the fact that human life still does not count for much in Russia. R. E. Wicke Brno, Czech Republic
Russia’s military and police have a long-established reputation for incompetence, brutality and clumsy cover-ups. Their handling of the theater siege is only the latest example. That many Russians apparently support it only means that they have no idea that one should expect anything better. Compare this with the Israeli Army’s rescue of the hostages at Entebbe 26 years ago. The soldiers had to fly all the way to Uganda and back. Of the 103 hostages, two died on the spot, and one was killed later–not at the airport–by Ugandans. One Israeli soldier and all the terrorists died. Had the losses at the Moscow theater siege been proportionate to those at Entebbe, 30 or 31 would have died instead of 120. The Russians spent many years and huge sums of money in the Middle East. Now we see that they learned nothing useful. Dorothy Laurence Szada, Hungary
Once the hostage taking was underway, it was clear that many would die, as no peaceful solution was possible. Other past examples have shown this–for example, Waco in the United States. The Russian police did their utmost to save as many as possible but they made mistakes. Most Russians agree with this. Perhaps you should write an article on the behind-the-scenes support that America is still giving to Chechen warlords. Clearly, they are supported by Al Qaeda but they still roam free. The so-called President Maskhadov knew beforehand of the hostage taking in Moscow but did nothing to stop it. Why isn’t he arrested? Willy Van Damme Dendermonde, Belgium
With all their imperfections, Western democracies have a major advantage over the Russian Federation–a free press. For relatives not to be told whether their loved ones have died in the forceful end to the hostage taking in Moscow is a downright scandal. When NEWSWEEK reported weeks ago that numerous Taliban prisoners suffocated in sealed containers during the war in Afghanistan, possibly with the connivance of U.S. soldiers, it proved embarrassing to those responsible. Russia, on the other hand, still thinks that suppression of bad news will work. Werner Radtke Paderborn, Germany
The Chechen Tragedy
I am not a Chechen, but Fareed Zakaria’s Nov. 11 World View column, “No White Hats in Moscow,” touched my heart. It’s impressive that your magazine provides such thorough investigation into the historical perspectives of people and nations often considered too small and insignificant to be mentioned. Unfortunately, the collusion of those in power often results in a tolerance of the inhuman behavior of some countries. Kostas Stankus Lockport, Illinois
The atrocities you described in Chechnya reminded me of the pictures from Vietnam in the 1960s. Wars are ugly, and the suffering in Vietnam then–as in Chechnya now–was inflicted mostly on innocent civilians and children. American soldiers became killing machines in the same way Russian soldiers have become that now. But America seems to have forgotten its cruelties in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq (during the gulf war) and, most recently, in Afghanistan. I believe that negotiation rather than war is the way to go with Iraq. Sadly, however, with the landslide endorsement of the Congress, President Bush has nothing to hold him back from attacking–not only Iraq but whatever other country he does not like. It seems this will be a war to get the U.S. economy going again–never mind how many foreigners are killed in the process. Onno Frowein Noordwijk, Netherlands
President Bush’s studied indifference to the Russian handling of Moscow’s recent theater fiasco, and his about-face acceptance of Russia’s continuing terror campaign in Chechnya, seems to be in keeping with his administration’s nod-and-wink support for Israel’s unrelenting and brutal repression of the Palestinian people. Since September 11, Bush has claimed that his “war on terror” is a just war. But has he ever thought about the root causes–the injustices that can breed terror and counter-terror? Now because of his seemingly arrogant, shortsighted and blinkered perception, the conflict is no longer confined to Al Qaeda and other lesser organizations. It is branching out into a world movement of what is conveniently termed “terrorism.” Bush’s “bring ’em back dead or alive” machismo is not the answer. Colin J. Fairrie St. Albans, England
Smokers Galore
Your report on smoking in Asia was very well done (“China’s Deadly Cravings,” Nov. 11). In Japan, too, people have been bamboozled into a lifelong habit of tobacco consumption sponsored by the government, creating long-term addicts. Japanese prime ministers smoke, as do many doctors. Over a 20-year period, I’ve seen little being done to change this habit and the government has done nothing to curb its excesses. I’ve also noted an increase in drug prices–obviously to cover the high costs of ever-increasing numbers of lung-cancer patients who will fill cancer wards for years to come. Rare is the restaurant that has a nonsmoking section here and rare the public space that offers refuge to a nonsmoker. David Weinberg Tokyo, Japan
“China has outsmarted big tobacco”? Give me a break! “Smartness” would have engendered a five-page article describing Beijing’s success at reducing its smoking population and a half-page blip on its ability to outmarket its U.S. counterparts. The inverse suggests China has succeeded only in outsmarting its own people. Killing oneself before an opponent has the chance to do so is not smart–it’s suicide. Joel Ingram Seoul, South Korea
Illegal and Immoral in India
It is educated people like the Sethis who are contributing to the demise of moral values in Indian society (“The Rare Woman,” Asia, Nov. 11). They need to reflect on the deeper meaning of their choice: to spend $3,000 to guarantee a male heir by implanting a male embryo through in vitro fertilization. My two lovely daughters are being brought up normally–without being pressured into believing that, by virtue of their gender, they are inferior. These values come from my Sikh faith, which considers both sexes equal, and from the strong family traditions that I inherited. As for the Sethis’s saying “it’s our choice as individuals,” one can’t even begin to fathom that “logic” coming from “educated” people. That way, we could stretch any legal barriers that civil societies are governed under. Worse still is gynecologist Prakash Kakodkar’s flouting the law, barring sex disclosure and female feticide, by using amniocentesis to do that and then justifying it by rationalizing that “others will if I don’t.” This is nothing but pure greed. Prithipal Singh New Delhi, India
Let us hope that in 25 years when the wealthy future bachelors of India’s “better” classes become increasingly desperate in their search for a “shortage commodity,” they will learn to accord their prospective female companions the respect that they are entitled to as human beings, rather than looking at them as a convenience to be bought. Odd A. Jakobsen Sandnes, Norway
Chilling Out in Chile
As an Englishman who has lived in Santiago for years, I read with interest your article about Chile (“Open for Business,” world affairs, Aug, 12). I must take issue with your comment that Chileans are punctual. Punctuality is (by their own admission) not a Chilean virtue. When you arrange to meet someone here, you have to say “hora inglesa,” meaning English time (that is to say, not late). Chileans smile and acknowledge that we Brits (despite our other failings) arrive on time. On a more upbeat note, I have to say that Chile is the safest country in South America, it’s got the best economy–and great skiing! Trevor Garland Santiago, Chile
A Milder Capitalism?
Joseph Contreras and other left-leaning journalists may feel that Latin American countries that embraced the “neoliberal gospel” harvested poverty (“Open for Business,” world affairs, Aug. 12). But that’s not true. We had some privatization but we also have populism and corruption. Argentina is a flagrant case. Latin American countries weren’t “betrayed” by the wealthy countries, we just believed we could add in a little socialism to make ours a milder capitalism. It never worked. The only country that’s really stuck to a healthy market economy is Chile. I was a staunch Marxist-Leninist myself. Now I realize that we can reach prosperity only the way the United States, Western Europe, the Asian Tigers and Chile did. Our socialist dream collapsed, Mr. Contreras. Alvaro Botero Manizales, Colombia
The Unfinished Bush Business
The warmonger in the White House wants to attack Iraq so he can finally step out of the long shadow cast by his father. The primitive thought behind the whole thing is the “unfinished business” of Bush senior. In “Invade Iraq, But Bring Friends,” (world view, Aug. 5), Fareed Zakaria accuses France and Russia of conspiring to maintain the Baghdad regime in place because of “cozy contracts.” In reality, French and Russian politicians better understand what diplomacy is and refuse to use John Wayne methods that could destroy the whole of the Middle East. The region is already a powder keg and the problems cannot be resolved by violence. Bush junior should look at the failed policy of Ariel Sharon (another warmonger) and understand that attacking Iraq is not going to create a wonderful, free, democratic, secular, booming Iraq. It is going to bring devastation to the region and Arabs will hate Americans for the next 100 years. Iraqis need to rise and oust Saddam themselves: the United States should help logistically and financially, but not ride into Iraq like Audie Murphy with blazing pistols. The world does not want a war just so that George junior levels with George senior. Patrick Bauer Luxembourg
Adoptions in Guatemala
You rightly reported that Guatemala is one of the biggest providers of children for international adoptions and that it has inadequate legislation and poor control over the out-of-state adoptions of its orphans (“A Place to Call Home,” world affairs, July 15). The problem in developing countries, however, is not that there are too many adoptions, but that there are not enough. Vast numbers of orphaned and abandoned children grow up in institutions, denied their right to a family. According to UNICEF’s 1999 report, between 23,000 and 25,000 minors are living permanently in Guatemalan orphanages with no contact with any relative. Another problem is that lawyers can and do make money by looking for women who can be talked into giving up their children. This must be stopped. Only those with the best interest of the child in mind should be allowed to counsel mothers at risk and help decide the fate of unwanted, abandoned children. The case of Rico, adopted at 7, is not typical. Few abandoned or maltreated Guatemalan kids get adopted. It’s debatable if adoption was the right choice for a battered child like Rico. But where was Rico’s father, who now wants him back, all these years? It would be sad if the attention given to Rico’s case results in fewer older Guatemalan children’s being adopted. Ketil Lehland Adoption Forum Oslo, Norway
