Controversy Over ‘Satanic Verses’

I was extremely distressed to see a remark of mine taken out of context and used as my “reaction” to the Islamic brouhaha over Salman Rushdie’s “The Satanic Verses.” (“ ‘The’ Book Sells Out at County Bookstores,” Orange County section, Feb. 24).

Considering the length of time that I spent talking to your reporter, I find it absolutely inconceivable that my indignation over Khomeini’s call for Rushdie’s murder would be reduced to an ironic comment I made about the London Times best-seller list. To indicate in any way that that comment might have been my sole reaction to Khomeini’s maniacal behavior and Rushdie’s subsequent forced sequestration trivializes the entire situation.

In the conversation I had with your reporter, I first commented upon my personal outrage that any foreign power would, through wild-haired threats, attempt to obviate the rights guaranteed to Americans under the First Amendment of the Constitution. I then went on to question the nature of the leadership that came from a man who called for the assassination of a citizen of another country.

I expressed my relief that American booksellers, who had previously decided not to sell Rushdie’s book, were apparently on their way to coming to their senses. And I conclude by stating my own renewed determination not to cave in to anyone’s pressure when it comes to my own writing.

While I remarked upon the irony of finding my own name right beneath Rushdie’s in the Los Angeles Times--what lofty company for me--I in no way intended that statement to be construed as my reaction to the horrors that have befallen a creative artist. That such a quote would be attributed to me is a cause of great personal chagrin. I like to believe I am neither callous nor indifferent to another writer’s pain.

ELIZABETH GEORGE

Huntington Beach