U.S. Policy in Central America

In May, 1986, I returned from El Salvador and Honduras. I agree with much of the reasoning in Charles William Maynes’ article (Opinion, July 20), “U.S. Again Intrudes on Third World: Nicaragua,” but I do not agree with his statement that, “once again, the U.S. technology will struggle against Third Word nationalism, tarnishing the U.S. image and, once again, the United States will probably lose.”

We provide support and aid to all other countries in need. Do people really realize that Central America is our neighbor and if we sit back watching television every night and ignore this issue, we could allow communism to gradually invade and destroy our American borders?

I saw the severe poverty in Central America. There were small children with malaria, malnutrition and living in pure filth. These people live behind two or three pieces of wood that they call home. Surprisingly, they don’t complain, they simply exist.

None of us want a war or conflict. What I cannot understand is how the U.S. government so easily gives millions of dollars to aid every country in distress, yet such an issue is made over helping Central America.

Central America is sitting on our back porch and waiting to invade U.S. borders and permit communism to slowly invade and destroy our free country.

I feel that if we ignore this issue, we could suffer the extreme, severe consequences by providing open passageway for communism in the United States.

In closing, Maynes states that “Perhaps before the countries of the region have been totally destroyed and many of their people are driven across our borders as refugees, an Administration in Washington will again focus on the longer run.” In the history of the United States we have permitted almost every nationality to enter the United States as a “refugee.” This time, it’s a bit different. Central America lies waiting for us, to not respond, allowing terrorism and communism an open door to our free and wonderful country.

LINDA PEAVY

Long Beach