Watching the World Leader
The U.S. Congress, in rejecting ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, has demonstrated its inability to come to terms with “world reality” (“The Lost Leader,” World Affairs, Oct. 25). Most people of all races wish to live in peace without fear of instant vaporizaton. Is it not sad enough that India and Pakistan are now part of the world’s nuclear-weapons proliferation? Does the United States wish to take a lead position down the narrow, backward path to the stupidity of the ’50s, ’60s and ’70s? Come on, Congress: demonstrate to the world the true humanitarian leadership of which you are capable. Mike Purcell Frankston, Australia
The world should not be surprised by the U.S. vote against the test-ban treaty. Americans also refuse to ban guns. While America may lead the world through might, it certainly doesn’t lead by example. Glenn Ashton Cape Town, South Africa
I read your article on the U.S. rejection of the CTBT with fury. How can “the biggest kid on the block” forget that it is always and in every respect a model for the smaller kids? Is it arrogance or plain stupidity that makes the U.S. Senate still believe that nobody can hurt America? The world community is based on cooperation. Just because the United States may be the strongest player in world politics does not mean that it can exclude itself from certain fields. Ulrike Barten Dresden, Germany
The Senate rejected the CTBT because it was fundamentally flawed and dangerously naive. Our testing nuclear weapons does not cause proliferation; the United States is already a nuclear power. Every nuclear-weapons expert knows that simulations can never guarantee the readiness and safety of our nuclear stockpile to the same degree as actual testing. Without testing, our stockpile will eventually atrophy to a point where no opponent is really sure it will work and no one will be impressed with our resolve to use it. Taking the “moral high ground” with rogue nations like North Korea and Iraq doesn’t impress them with our moral rightness, but rather with our weakness. The greatest deterrent to proliferation is a massive U.S. nuclear arsenal–thoroughly tested and verified to be ready–not wishful thinking. Kurt Chankaya Nagoya, Japan
Thank you for your enlightening article. It is alarming to notice such a lack of leadership in some of our politicians. It’s sickening to think about our government’s selfish and stubborn ways in dealing with such an important issue. Our politicians need to stop playing games and show some responsibility for being a world leader. Dan Kloosterman Boulder, Colorado
I’m afraid the U.S. rejection of the CTBT will have a domino effect on other countries, especially new and future nuclear powers, and puts every nation in danger. Joel A. Bernasor Iligan, Philippines
It’s a shame that the most powerful nation in the world has such an immature attitude toward nuclear tests. I would like to ask the U.S. senators if their decision would change if American women gave birth to deformed children as a result of the radiation from nuclear tests. Valdir Vegini Joinvile, Brazil
Your article about an alleged myth surrounding the Senate-rejected nuclear-test ban is cynical and misleading (“The Myths of the Test Ban Treaty”). The confusion stems from the schizophrenic policies and practices of nuclear-weapons states. On the one hand, they’re legally obliged by the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and the 1996 World Court finding to disarm and, on the other, they’re fear-driven, lacking the political will to end development, testing, production and reliance on nuclear weapons. The hypocritical disregard for binding agreements and hawkish bluster of nuclear states encourage cynical views that attempt to denigrate and disparage the ongoing noble efforts by most of humanity to abolish nuclear weapons forever. I can assure you that most people want an end to all weapons of mass destruction and a demilitarized world. John Otranto Grosshelfendorf, Germany
The Coup in Pakistan
You hit the nail right on its head: there can’t be a better way to sum up the situation in Pakistan than saying, “The alternative [to across-the-board accountability and turning around the economy under a rule of law] is something that everyone–inside and outside Pakistan–should worry about” (“Bittersweet Revenge,” Asia, Oct. 25). It seems that the U.S. administration partially agrees with you. But the British don’t understand. Imagine the consequences of penal actions. By suspending Pakistan from the commonwealth and stopping all economic assistance, they shut the door to communications and push the Pakistanis into a situation in which they don’t want them to be. Whoever supports Nawaz Sharif’s return or restoration of the same setup that brought the country to the verge of a failed state will be looked upon as “their agent” and by no means a friend to the Pakistanis. S. G. Jilanee Karachi, Pakistan
The only stable and permanent sociopolitical institution in Pakistan is its colonial-style, highly corrupt bureaucracy. For the sake of its own survival, it has powerfully protected the status quo of ignorance, illiteracy, religious fundamentalism and terrorism in Pakistan. Since everything else must work around this institution, nothing works properly. The first priority of any sincere government here should be to promote universal primary education, which alone can guarantee the emergence of a rational society in Pakistan. Ahmad Junaid Muzaffargarh, Pakistan
While many nations and world organizations condemn the recent military takeover in Pakistan, most of us Pakistanis see this as the last glimmer of hope for our poor country. Over the last decade, corrupt politicians have plundered and destroyed the economic and social fiber of Pakistan. Less than 30 percent of the adult population is literate, and a decently educated person has no chance in an election against the corrupt political warlords. Western and other leaders should not support these unscrupulous politicians who stole even our nation’s hope. The new setup should really be given a reasonable chance to restore pride and order to the nuclear nation [of] Pakistan–because if it fails, our hope will also fade. Parvez ul-Haq Siddiqi Karachi, Pakistan
It is true that former Pakistani prime minister Nawaz Sharif ran Pakistan like a despot, heading it toward an inevitable doom. But martial law is not the solution to Pakistan’s problems. It looks as if the Pakistanis have forgotten that in the past they’ve had similar coups, but no military dictator has ever been able to make real progress. Arjun Markanda Lagos, Nigeria
It is we, the Pakistanis, who have to decide what is best for us, not the West or the United States. Had it not been for this timely intervention, Pakistan would have plunged farther into the depths of medieval monarchy. It is our sincere hope that the West will look more favorably at this takeover and not impose sanctions. Salim Shaikh Karachi, Pakistan
I agree that the government of Nawaz Sharif was extremely corrupt and was bound to end up like this, but the Army’s approach was wrong and unconstitutional. The Army should have held a referendum after seizing power, asking the people to decide whether they want Nawaz to stay or to go, instead of assuming all power itself. The primary fault of our system is that it has no mechanism of checks and balances. Musharraf Parvez may conveniently accuse Nawaz of ruling absolutely, but he himself has accumulated all power in his hands. What guarantee do we have that he won’t be another Muhammad Zia ul-Haq or Ayub Khan? Democracy needs to be restored because only democracy can ensure stability in this volatile region of new nuclear powers. Asad Qazi Karachi, Pakistan
Betrayed by the Leadership
I’d like to take strong exception to the assertion that Pakistan is a “failed state” (“Spectacular Failures,” World View, Oct. 25). What the country is facing is not a failure, but rather a betrayal, by its political leadership. Driven by the relentless pursuit of self-interest, four successive political governments since 1988 have mercilessly plundered the wealth of the nation. The only progress has been in their relative level of corruptness and ineptitude. Western-style democracy has been turned into a farce by the absence of accountability, attacks on press freedom and the mockery of the country’s judiciary. It was thus no surpise that the removal of Nawaz Sharif’s oppressive government has been welcomed by the country with a sense of relief and hope. The nation is now ripe for change and for living up to its inherent potential under a dedicated and sincere leadership. Malik Amin Aslam Islamabad, Pakistan
Nyerere: An African Icon
As a Tanzanian, I was disappointed by your coverage of the death of former Tanzanian president “Mwalimu” (the Swahili word for “teacher”) Julius Nyerere (“A Man of Principle,” World Affairs, Oct. 25). Mwalimu Nyerere was neither a royal nor a movie star. Nevertheless, we in Africa regard him as the greatest icon of our times. Georgia Mutagahywa Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
The world’s blind love for market capitalism is not only demonstrated, but indeed promoted, by articles such as this one, where feats of human greatness and humility get equal billing with the financial bottom line. You basically imply, “Sure, he created a peaceful, united country in sub-Saharan Africa. Sure, he was a modest, law-abiding leader. But he couldn’t increase the GDP, so he was a failure.” This demonstrates a significant bias. Please, for perspective, look at Mobutu, Obote, Amin, Abacha and Moi. Look at the countless bloody conflicts of Africa during Nyerere’s time. His character was unprecedented in an African leader. Tanzanians do not only admire Nyerere–they revere him. Ted James Eull Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Your article on Julius Nyerere fell far short of the mark. For a continent that has all too few heroes to celebrate, Nyerere and Nelson Mandela probably stand in a class all of their own. Holly T. Dublin Nairobi, Kenya
Under Nyerere’s leadership, Tanzania put a very high premium on the liberation of the Africans from tyranny, colonialism and apartheid. Thus the country, in spite of its relative poverty, spent vast resources on the liberation of Uganda from Idi Amin’s tyranny and southern African countries from colonialism and apartheid. Tanzanians are not ashamed of such achievements at the expense of their economic well-being because it has enhanced the dignity of fellow human beings. To the majority of Tanzanians, Nyerere was a tower of strength and an inspiration. They surely will miss him. Richard S. Kasungu Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Nyerere was loved and respected. I’m sure the world leaders and delegates who came to his funeral to pay tribute to Nyerere did not come to associate themselves with a “failure.” Yussuf Mzee Arusha, Tanzania
Tanzania was better off in 1961, when Julius Nyerere started his one-party system and state-run villages, than the country is today. Sweden has for more than 30 years given millions of dollars to support this failed socialist experiment. What a democracy Sweden is. Dennis Brinkeback Stockholm, Sweden
‘Leave Chechnya Alone’
It’s about time Russia stopped trying to play the role of the bully that it isn’t and started thinking of ways to improve its pathetic economic situation (“Battle Shy,” Europe, Oct. 25). Russia should leave Chechnya alone. But if the Russians insist on killing innocent people, the United Nations should place sanctions on Russia. Then let’s see how well Russia can cope–isolated. Abdul Rahman Babaseyi Akande Stockholm, Sweden
Your powerful image of a young Russian soldier entrenching himself in a pit, readying for battle, distresses me. Nineteen-year-olds should not have to be digging themselves into trenches. This image typifies the close of the millennium, which has been plagued by global conflict. How sad it is that every time I listen to the news, I learn about a military conflict occurring in a given country. We teach our children not to fight with one another. What will we tell them when they ask us why we don’t do the same? Jeremy S. Fine Tel Aviv, Israel
Cancer Is Gender-Neutral
In your Oct. 25 article on Dr. Jerri Nielsen, who was rescued from the Antarctic after having found a lump in her breast that turned out to be malignant, you conclude by saying of her replacement, “As it happens, he’s a man” ("‘I’d Like to Learn My Fate’," Society & the Arts). What, may I ask, has that got to do with anything? Are we to infer from this comment that a male doctor would never find himself in a similar predicament? Are men working in remote areas somehow immune to life-threatening diseases, especially those associated with gender? This attitude does a disservice to Nielsen, who has bravely been handling her illness on her own. Candice L. Hart St. Paul, Minnesota
I was astonished by the tone of the closing of the article on Dr. Jerri Nielsen. It seems to imply that there is something inherently weak, fragile or otherwise “wrong” with the placement of a woman at the research center on Antarctica. I think we should be grateful that the researchers in the remote polar climate were being cared for by such a remarkable person. Male or female, I would take Nielsen for my physician any day. John Scott Sebes, Romania
Responsible Farming
Most American farming is not responsible financially, politically or environmentally. In the case of your article “Down in the Dead Zone,” on shellfish dying in the Gulf of Mexico, it is true that agriculture is the main source of nitrogen’s entering bodies of water (Society & the Arts, Oct. 25). Americans: it’s time to take responsibility, recognize the consequences and stop whining and postponing what needs to be done. Your European counterparts have long begun. Hunter Vandenberg Iver, England
Welcoming Quindlen
That wise maxim “eat dessert first; life is uncertain” was foremost in our thoughts as we hurriedly turned to NEWSWEEK’s back page to read the last word by Anna Quindlen (“Sound and Fury, Signifying Zip,” Oct. 25). What a pleasure to read her beautifully crafted, thoughtful writing. We have missed her periodic editorials in our local paper these past five years and cheer at her debut as a NEWSWEEK contributing editor. Jay and Janet Cornish Butte, Montana
Outstanding! What a pleasant surprise to find Anna Quindlen on your roster. As a fan who has read her books, I truly believe that you have improved your staff exponentially. Midge Merritt Sibiu, Romania
Anna Quindlen seems to think it’s OK to insult Roman Catholics in the name of art. I wonder what she thinks would happen if somebody exhibited a work of art that was insulting to Jews: something like, for instance, a Torah scroll decorated with pig’s dung and pornographic images? Ramon du Pre Winsum, Netherlands
Anna Quindlen’s argument is flawed. Why is she denying the freedom of response to ordinary folks when she is giving absolute freedom to the artist to express him- or herself at the risk of desecration of religious images that ordinary mortals consider holy? K. George Jacob Trivandrum, India
Thank you! What a wonderfully erudite, intelligent and thoughtful writer you’ve found in Anna Quindlen. Martha Ellen Bock Bakersfield, California
Friends… for a While?
I’m writing regarding your article on Oskar Lafontaine’s new book called “The Heart Beats on the Left,” which you described as being an “all-out attack” on German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder (“Memoirs of an Ex-Friend,” Europe, Oct. 18). When Schroder and Lafontaine campaigned together last year they pretended to be friends. But hardly anyone who was well informed about the political scene in Germany believed it. It was clear right from the start that this was part of a strategy: on the one hand relying on the old political base of the Social Democratic Party, and on the other gaining the “new center.” This is a model that obviously cannot suit everybody once it is set into reality, so tensions were unavoidable. Lafontaine’s flight from office shows a childish behavior. His book surely is an act of revenge, but unfortunately, keeping aside the personal aspects of the story, he is right in criticizing Schroder for betraying the voters. That’s exactly what the traditional base of the SPD must feel, as its massive absence in the recent elections dramatically reveals. Schroder is trapped by his own campaign strategy. Lars Straeter Dortmund, Germany
