Observing the situation in Iraq

As both a soldier and a civilian involved in Middle Eastern studies since 1966, including eight years of residence, I find this article soporific.

The author extols the energy and drive of the Iraqis to repair the war damage. Hardly something that would be seen in a society starving to death as she claims. Also, if the sanctions are not stopping all the equipment to repair bridges, etc., why is there insufficient food? The author couldn't find one Iraqi to admit Saddam Hussein was to blame. How many Shiites and Kurds did she talk with?

I am convinced that we could best help the Middle East by producing more scholars who do not blame all the ills of that region on colonialism, Zionism, or some CIA plot. Norvell B. De Atkine, Fayetteville, N.C.

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