THE KURD TRAGEDY
Kevin McKiernan shows a hint of bias in suggesting that Saddam Hussein has been the worst dispenser of cruelty to the Kurds (“Kurdistan’s Season of Hope,” Aug. 23). I do not condone Hussein’s actions, but the reality is that under similar circumstances any leader would react in a ruthless fashion. Armed rebellions are not tolerated by any government--democratic or otherwise.
As McKiernan stated, the British are to blame for many of today’s Middle East disputes because they carved up the area to serve their own interests. And it was Turkey, Iran and Syria that prevented the Kurds from having a country of their own.
We seem to be selective when it comes to minorities’ rights and those of small countries. We didn’t lift a finger when Turkey invaded Cyprus, but we invaded Panama to capture one man, Manuel Noriega. We destroyed Iraq to punish Saddam Hussein--again, one man--yet we are impotent to stop the bloodshed in Yugoslavia.
Truth is, there’s enough blame to go around.
GABRIELA KOLIAS
Placentia
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