Reagan’s Defiance of World Court

President Reagan’s defiance of the World Court, as noted in your editorial (June 29), is most ironic in view of his pride in being a strict law-and-order man. His contemptuous rejection of the court’s ruling that the U.S. war against Nicaragua is illegal and violates the U.N. Charter emphasizes his total dedication to overthrowing the Sandinista government, regardless of the law.

The fact that the CIA will be the agency that will administer the $100 million in contra aid voted by the House of Representatives is more cause for alarm. It was the CIA that ordered the mining of the harbors of Nicaragua and published the handbook for contras on “neutralizing” the enemy--actions strongly condemned by the World Court.

Reagan is understandably jubilant over the House support of his illegal policies, giving him not only the millions to carry them out, but also tacit approval to continue with impunity to violate international law.

Reagan has guaranteed what he has been warning against for years--that Nicaragua will become a Soviet base. That tiny, poverty-stricken country will accept aid from any source to protect itself from the rich and powerful United States. The war will escalate, with a blood bath for both military and civilians; there will be requests for more and more millions, and probably for U.S. troops. By that time, Reagan, with his usual luck, will be safely out of office.

It will be Ronald Reagan’s war--but someone else will have to fight it.

LOUISE LEUNG

Topanga