Falklands Furor

To the Editors:

By invading the Falkland Islands [April 19], Argentina broke international law. Britain is only defending the sovereignty of her own territory, and should take whatever means necessary to protect what rightfully belongs to her.

Antonio R. Lopes Scituate, Mass.

The seizure of the Falkland Islands by Argentina is an act that cannot be justified by any reasoning. Nevertheless, where was Britain's concern for self-determination when it took the Falklands from Argentina almost 150 years, ago? Great Britain's current reaction is more a case of sour grapes and wounded pride than any genuine desire to right a terrible wrong. The sun set on the British Empire a long time ago. History has long recognized that fact. The British should also.

Philip Naff Fort Sheridan, Ill.

It has been the Falkland Islands' good fortune to have lived under British rule for 150 years. It is a pity that all South America has not had the same fate. In spite of being a Latin American, I recognize what the British have given to the world: freedom, life under law and respect for the individual. These rights must be defended even if it takes warships to do it.

Vicente Echerri New York City

As you say in your article about the history of the Falklands, "The Argentines renewed their protests--regularly and in vain--for the next century and a half." So Argentina really didn't take the islands precipitately, did it?

Nelly Casati Orinda, Calif.

Since the anticipated oil wealth of the Falkland Islands area is a prime concern of Great Britain and Argentina, why don't the two countries agree to share it fifty-fifty? Then let the islands' inhabitants vote on which country they want to be associated with. The loser would be compensated with 5% to 10% more of the oil money.

Robert S. Alvarez San Francisco

What next? France invading Louisiana? Mexico wanting Texas returned? Or maybe a Spanish flag flying over the Florida Keys?

James Orme Key Largo, Fla.

World's Destiny

Strobe Talbott's review of Jonathan Schell's The Fate of the Earth [April 19] is penetrating and evenhanded. However, Schell's argument is not that we can easily or quickly proceed to a world government; rather, it is that such a nonviolent world is the only sure way of avoiding an eventual nuclear holocaust. To make that statement is not "dreamlike and fantastic." On the contrary, as Schell points out, to imagine that we can rid the world of nuclear weapons in the present political order is the ultimate naivete.

Ted Shepherd Cambridge, Mass.

The review misses the point. Nuclear war is no longer a political issue but a moral question on which world survival depends. In light of this, our attitudes and our systems of government must change. Even if we were to rid ourselves of nuclear weapons but kept our attitudes, we would create new ways to destroy ourselves in our quest for security.

Dorothie L. Hellman Stanford, Calif.

English Spoken Here

I am a naturalized citizen who speaks three languages. Inherent in accepting the U.S. as my new country was the learning of English [April 19]. Mastering the language was also essential to achieving a meaningful economic and social existence. Besides, English is beautiful with or without an accent.

Zakariya Mohyuddin Nashville

The price of not becoming proficient in the language of your country is to be patronized, denied opportunities and perceived as a second-class citizen.

Connie Romero Laurel, Md.

Tell Studs Terkel that Richard Rodriguez is not "an exceptional individual" who may be "used by others to make a general case." Terkel can find many Cuban Americans who arrived here 20 years ago as non-English-speaking youngsters and are now valuable members of their communities because they had to learn English in school. I was one of those children, and I thank God we did not have "bilingualism" back then.

Beatriz Borrero Fleet Zion, Ill.

There are always outstanding individuals like Richard Rodriguez who will succeed under any circumstances. It is too bad that in rising so high he forgets the difficulty of children less gifted than he. Before bilingualism was adopted in Orange County, Calif., Mexican youngsters unable to learn in a language they did not understand were sometimes shunted into schools for the mentally retarded.

Adrienne Jones Laguna Niguel, Calif.

Amish Defiance

Amishman Ed Lee, who will not pay Social Security taxes [April 19], should be free to practice his long-established religion. President Reagan has appealed to Americans to return to the concept of self-help instead of relying on Government aid. The Amish have done just that by caring for their own for generations. Now the IRS wants to take Lee's property when all he asks for is to live and let live.

Doris Brown Clarks Summit, Pa.

Call Any Time

Thank you for the beautiful description of Jerusalem in your cover story [April 12]. I would like to clarify and expand on some of the points you make:

1) While good policework does have a great deal to do with the fact that terrorism is not widespread in our city, the main reason is that the local populace does not support terrorist activities. Our economic welfare depends to a large extent on tourism, and tourism does not go with terrorism. In Jerusalem's Arab community, fear of the P.L.O. is stronger than dislike of us.

2) Much of what you describe has been accomplished through the Jerusalem Foundation, which you mention. This group has built hundreds of parks, restored ancient and holy sites important to all and sponsored joint activities between the Arab and Jewish communities.

3) Since the article appeared, we have had innumerable phone calls from your readers trying out our home telephone number, which is now listed in TIME, as well as the Jerusalem directory. The callers have been mainly Christians who telephone from as far away as Detroit, Rochester, and Perth, Australia, to ask if I am really Jerusalem's mayor.

Teddy Kollek, Mayor Jerusalem

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