OPENING THE CIA’S GATES

The CIA is a dangerous joke (“Mysteries and Secrets,” by John M. Broder, April 19). Despite its high-tech equipment, millions of staffers and a $30-billion annual budget, it was as surprised as the rest of us when the Soviet Union was shattered. Ditto German reunification. Not only was it unable to secure the release of American hostages in the Middle East, but its supersleuths didn’t even know where the prisoners were.

The CIA is symptomatic of a flawed foreign policy that assumes the United States has a divine right to rule the world. We must stop meddling in other countries’ affairs and give them a chance at self-determination. Maybe then we could begin addressing the many problems in our own country.

GLORIA WILSON

La Crescenta