In response to a Feb. 24 page 1 article:
I am appalled to learn from the article “Officials urge countries to side with U.S.” that the U.S. has resorted to holding hostage the citizens of Angola, Guinea, and Cameroon to secure their governments’ vote for the upcoming U.N. resolution authorizing war with Iraq.
It is one thing to present a convincing case for war, but threats only strengthen the perception in many countries that the U.S. is a bully.
I can only speculate what our officials mean by “paying a heavy price” for not supporting the U.N. resolution, but I hope it does not include withholding humanitarian or other foreign aids to these countries.
How can we present ourselves as a just and compassionate nation, the sole superpower no less, if we potentially jeopardize the survival of deprived people in third world countries in order to gain their support for a cause that will cost more lives?
Kenny Kwong
Class of 2001