War `along the border'

The editorial ``War along the Honduran border,'' Dec. 9, correctly cautions against the use of United States military force in Honduras against the Nicaraguan government. The issues in Central America all too often get framed incorrectly around whether our policy should be for or against either the contras or the Sandinistas.

In reality, the issue is whether the conflicts throughout the entire region are going to be resolved with military force or through a negotiated nonmilitary settlement. The Contadora process, initiated by four nations in the region, stands as a viable alternative to military force. It is a responsible, active, and significant effort to resolve the conflicts in the region through negotiation and nonviolence. Ralph A. Wolff Oakland, Calif.

I was incredulous while reading the editorial ``Opportunity in Nicaragua,'' Nov. 24. The sentence ``Washington's overriding goals are the security of Nicaragua's Central American neighbors and the stability of democracies throughout Latin America'' defies reality. It sounds like something prepared by a Reagan speech writer. The security of Central America (such as it is) is not threatened by Nicaragua but by the US.

Does the Monitor believe that ``security'' is enhanced by organizing, training, and subsidizing 20,000 guerrillas to overthrow a regime in Central America simply on the blind obsession of one Ronald Reagan?

Does turning dirt-poor Honduras into a US military base as well as a second home for the contras enhance security, or stabilize democracies? David Steinberg Mason, N.Y.

Truckers beware I couldn't agree more with the article ``Getting rid of unsafe truckers,'' Nov. 24. I have always respected the drivers of those huge rigs and realized that they have a hard time stopping - but they should make the effort. My recommendations: that truckers build and maintain their own roads; that they be confined to the right lane, which would be for tractor rigs only; that they not be allowed to pass; that they have to keep 500 yards between rigs so that others would be able to get onto and off the road; that they be weighed (I have never seen a weigh station that wasn't closed); and that they be periodically checked for drug use. Priscilla Cushing Quincy, Mass.

You've read  of  free articles. Subscribe to continue.
QR Code to War `along the border'
Read this article in
https://www.csmonitor.com/1986/1217/ed17.html
QR Code to Subscription page
Start your subscription today
https://www.csmonitor.com/subscribe