Turmoil in Iraq

Hidden costs of war are the cruelest. They are also the clearest indication of its wickedness. Even though the Gulf War is over, our government is still continuing its attempt to control political behavior in Iraq, not by reason and negotiation, but by illness and starvation.

This violence now extends beyond the ranks of soldiers into the civilian population because the continuing U.S. embargo on food and medicine takes its toll on women and children. Whether we deny it or not, the Iraqi people have become our enemy. If one is vindictive, one may attempt to justify such inhumanity as “collateral damage” more or less deserved as “punishment” for allowing Hussein to remain in power. But did you know that this same punishment has been dealt out to Cambodia for more than 10 years? We are still embargoing food and medicine there also (Opinion, March 31).

Surely the “new world order” must not build its political and economic power on the backs of starving women and children in Third World countries. Shouldn’t our congressmen see that all U.S. sanctions on food and medicine are removed at once? Let’s live up to the Geneva Conventions.

JEAN GERARD

Temple City