Dealing With Terrorism
Howard Kaplan, in his article about Abu Nidal (Editorial Pages, Jan. 1), advocates dealing with Yasser Arafat as a means of successfully battling terrorism.
Aside from the issue of the trustworthiness of Arafat, dealing with him will only serve to encourage his opponents to increase their terrorist activities. Syria and Libya are opposed to any negotiations that will result in the recognition of Israel. They are likely to continue support for groups like those headed by Abu Nidal.
There is only one way to control terrorism. Terrorists cannot survive without sovereign states supporting or tolerating them. Only when those states are held accountable for the terrorists they shelter will terrorism be eradicated.
Kaplan must have reasons to advocate dealing with Arafat--the elimination of terrorism is not one of them.
DAVID BUKI
Agoura Hill
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
