A 48-Hour Pause for Mideast Peace

The Times’ editorial (Feb. 7) encourages a 48-hour halt in bombing as a goad to peace talks. The Times asserts that such a halt would be virtually “risk-free” and worth a roll of the dice. I do not know how the writer came to these conclusions. Every Iraqi move so far has been predicated on the belief that Americans would not be willing to incur the risks of a ground offensive, with the resulting losses of American lives. If the President follows the position of The Times, these doubts of American resolve would only be encouraged. Saddam Hussein would be likely to use the halt as a propaganda tool to his growing following in many Arab countries. He would claim that he has inflicted damage to us and we are backing down, no matter the reasons for the cease-fire.

The minor repair and resupply that the Iraqis would be able to achieve during the halt would be more than enough to increase the number of allied soldiers killed in the conflict.

If the Iraqis had shown any willingness to negotiate, maybe a cease-fire would be worth discussing. Hussein has conveyed no such willingness. The resulting loss of lives is not worth the risk of a shortsighted policy that has no advantages.

RON COLVIN

Santa Monica