Letters

After the Iraq Election

"We may wonder whether the Iraqis can rule themselves. But remember, the British may have had the same question about American colonists."

PHIL GONZALEZ Houston

NOW THAT THE IRAQ ELECTION IS OVER, we Americans should say we have done all we can and get out [Jan. 31]. Iraq belongs to the Iraqis, and only they can rule their country. Our staying would give legitimacy to the claim that we are occupying their country. Let's leave Iraq before it becomes a quagmire for us.

ISABELLE CHANG Shrewsbury, Mass.

YOUR COVER PHOTOGRAPH OF PRIVATE First Class Christopher Lujan put a haunting, human face on the war in Iraq. Lujan, with his innocent face, seemed out of place in the uniform of war and on the streets of hell. Many of us are unable to comprehend how, at the beginning of a new millennium, we are still sending out our beloved children to kill and maim one another. Where are the protests? Will we never learn?

MARTHA HOWE Beaverton, Ore.

WHY IS NO ONE DISCUSSING THE POSSIbility of replacing the coalition forces in Iraq with friendly or at least neutral forces from Arab countries? Egypt and Jordan should assist in the peacekeeping. Muslim countries should help Iraqi Muslims until an Iraqi army is in place.

PETER B. SAADEH New York City

I SAW THE PICTURES OF THE IRAQI PEOPLE walking to the polls to exercise their right to vote in the face of death threats, bombs and with entire families in jeopardy. To vote in spite of all that takes courage above and beyond what most Americans would show today. The Iraqis expressed the true spirit of democracy.

SKIP HALL Columbiana, Ala.

Bush's Brave Words

CAN COLUMNIST JOE KLEIN REALLY BE SO naive as to believe the rhetoric in George W. Bush's Inauguration speech about bringing freedom to the world [Jan. 31]? If spreading liberty around the globe were an authentic goal of this Administration, it would not rely on alliances with Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Uzbekistan.

JAMES MACKINNON Houston

BUSH'S INAUGURAL SPEECH WAS FIRM, positive and optimistic. The President showed great character and strength in the face of adversity. His implied message was that the ongoing war in Iraq does not mean the U.S. cannot take on other adversaries or effect change where necessary to promote democracy. Bush is a strong leader.

OLABODE MOSES OLUGA Chicago

THE PRESIDENT'S SPEECH WAS ONLY HIS narrow vision of imperialistic dogma.

WILLIAM H. WAXMAN Santa Rosa, Calif.

BUSH IS A GREAT LEADER. HE SPOKE about freedom, democracy and how the U.S. will promote liberty all over the world. The American people helped Europeans regain freedom and democracy after World War II. They are doing the same thing today in Iraq and Afghanistan. Americans know the cost of liberty, but they won't change their ideals. I trust President Bush. I'm sorry that I couldn't vote for him.

EMANUELA PRADELLA Arona, Italy

Too Much Partying?

INSTEAD OF BEING THE HOST OF AN expensive Inauguration celebration [Jan. 31] while members of the U.S. military are dying in Iraq and Afghanistan, President Bush could have unified the country by putting the $40 million that the festivities cost into a trust fund. That money could have been paid to the families of our military dead and to the injured and battle-worn survivors of conflicts.

DAVID M. PEPPER Malibu, Calif.