Letters

Season of Revenge

"How can Arafat and Sharon possibly settle anything when their hatred of each other goes back so very many years?"' DIANE BONNETT Calgary, Alta.

The Palestinian-Israeli conflict has reached a sorry impasse [WORLD, April 8]. The cycle of violence keeps repeating itself because neither the disputants nor the U.S. mediators have the courage or vision to come up with a just and feasible solution. What's needed is a leader of the caliber and courage of a De Gaulle or a Clement Atlee (the post-World War II Prime Minister of Britain). The sooner such a leader emerges, the better for everyone in the Holy Land. ERICH H. PARBHOO Baton Rouge, La.

No country but the U.S. can stop this madness. And no country has a greater interest in doing so. Perhaps it is time for the Bush Administration to take a more balanced and realistic view. It is certainly time to make a forceful effort to ensure that these two peoples live side by side peacefully, in secure countries of their own. At the same time, our long-term security dictates that the U.S. start lessening our dependence on the resources of that volatile part of the world. PETER L. SLOTTA Chapel Hill, N.C.

Why do the world and many Americans think it is the responsibility of the U.S. to bring peace to the Middle East? The U.S. has its own problems to worry about. Frankly, I'm rather tired of people demanding that President Bush be at the negotiating table with the Palestinians and the Israelis. Why? This matter is between them, and nothing we can say will make the two groups stop hating each other. It is not our responsibility to baby-sit the rest of the world. MARC W. MCFEE Glen Burnie, Md.

If Sharon and Arafat are really interested in ending the conflict, they don't need the help of Bush, special envoy Anthony Zinni, Egypt's Hosni Mubarak, Colin Powell or anyone else. Hey, Ariel and Yasser, pick up the phone! DENIS MORRISSEY Menlo Park, Calif.

Both the Palestinians and the Israelis are pigheaded and blinded by their faith. There should be no Israel and no Palestinian state. Instead there should be a nation based on objective, rational law, not emotional, subjective religion, one in which the cultures and religions can coexist and thrive. The U.S.'s Founding Fathers took great care not to establish a nation in which religion and ethnic culture could be the false justification for base behavior and violence. FRANK LAGACE Taunton, Mass.

--Our stark cover photo of Yasser Arafat drew a number of surprisingly dissimilar reactions from readers. "I took offense at the picture showing Arafat as defenseless and pitiful," grumbled a Los Angeles man. "It's very misleading to portray him as if he doesn't know how he got into this mess." But an Oklahoman saw something different: "That is the most perfect picture of a trapped rat I've ever seen--bug-eyed, helpless and hopeless." A woman from Florida saw a regretful expression and mused, "If only Arafat acted as contrite as he looks." And a Vancouver, B.C., man derided "the reverential cover portrait" as "missing only a halo to present Arafat as a distinguished statesman."

Correction

We mistakenly said Palestinian suicide bomber Ayat Akhras was 16 years old [WORLD, April 8]. She was 18.

Murderous Martyrs

In his commentary on suicide bombers, "Why We Blow Ourselves Up" [VIEWPOINT, April 8], psychiatrist Eyad Sarraj wrote that in the Koran, "God promised Muslims who sacrificed themselves for the sake of Islam" would not die but would "live on in paradise." This explanation highlights one of the most important reasons it is so difficult to attain peace in the Middle East: too many people misguidedly believe that something of a human being remains after death and that this something will experience pain and pleasure. The suffering resulting from this belief is unspeakably tragic. We need to strive for a better life while we are living. ANDRIES R. VAN DEN BERG Pretoria

How can one attempt to rationalize strapping on explosives with the intent of murdering innocent men, women and children? If the civilized world does not defeat the deadly scourge of suicide bombers, no city in the world will be safe from any group with a grievance. As a doctor, Sarraj should use his influence to counter such actions, not explain them. JUDY MORREL Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Fit to Go Forward

So long as John Paul II is able to speak (or write) coherently, he can fulfill his responsibility to direct the church and instruct his flock [LETTER FROM THE VATICAN, April 8]. Whether he can stand up for two hours to serve as the chief celebrant at Mass or stoop to wash 24 feet is beside the point. Ceremonial functions, while certainly important, are not an essential part of the office. So idle speculation about whether John Paul II is fit to be Pope or whether he should retire is just that: idle speculation. RON SAMUELS Studio City, Calif.

Harvey Still Has the Touch

Your piece on Miramax and its co-chairmen, Harvey and Bob Weinstein [SHOW BUSINESS, April 8], asked, "Has Harvey Lost His Way?" Many relevant facts suggest otherwise. Wouldn't you consider Harvey to be "back on track" after acquiring the Sundance hit and Best Picture Oscar nominee In the Bedroom for $1.5 million and seeing it gross more than $35 million domestically? And what about acquiring the French sensation Amelie at script stage for $1 million and watching it gross $31 million in the U.S.? Should Harvey really "admit defeat" after Miramax received 15 Academy Award nominations, the most of any studio? And isn't the impressive upcoming Miramax slate, which includes Steven Soderbergh's Full Frontal and George Clooney's Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, sufficient proof that Harvey in fact has not "lost his way"? MATTHEW HILTZIK, VICE PRESIDENT Corporate Communications Miramax Films New York City

Kylie Runs Deep

As a fan of pop singer Kylie Minogue's for the past 10 years, I take exception to your story "Skin Deep and Proud of It" [SHOW BUSINESS, April 8]. Before you go dissing Kylie, give a listen to her alternative-rock albums and the stuff that really didn't get noticed here in the U.S. but should have. Her Impossible Princess album has an edgy, personal feel. The popular media line on Kylie is that she's fluffy pop and nothing more. Please don't ignore Kylie's talent as a songwriter and performer. Give her a chance, mate! JENNIFER POORE Rochester Hills, Mich.

A Symbol of Britain

I enjoyed the tribute to Elizabeth, the Queen Mother [APPRECIATION, April 8]. Thank you for your effort on behalf of this beautiful grandmother who reminds me of mine, in looks as well as demeanor--though not in the number of jewels or horses she owned! BEN F. MARTIN Holly Springs, Miss.

The Queen Mum exemplified devotion and loyalty to her country in difficult times. Her life has been a guiding light. HILARY PINTO Vanier, Ont.

Calling All Poodles

Re your comment on Jennifer Lopez's hairstyle at the Oscars, "How many poodles were sacrificed...to get her bouffant?" [PEOPLE, April 8]: Judging by the photo you ran, I believe your remark could be offensive to poodles. GLEN WEBNER Tallahassee, Fla.