Haiti’s Aristide

* It’s been reported that President Jean-Bertrand Aristide would like to see a full economic embargo against the Haitian people (Oct. 29). I was surprised to hear that he would desire a thing like that. He seemed so anxious at first to get back to his home that I naturally believed he had warm feelings for his countrymen.

Years ago embargoes were described as an “abomination of desolation” by historians. Anyone who has studied the effect of Rome’s embargo against Jerusalem in AD 70 will realize why Haitians in this country who truly care about the welfare of those back home say that an embargo is not in the best interest of the people.

LEAH OVERSON

Palmdale

* I’m glad the CIA’s report on Aristide leaked (Nov. 2). It tells us more about the CIA than it does about Aristide. Now comes further evidence that the CIA apparently not only interfered in foreign elections but did so precisely on religious (anti-liberation theology) grounds. What other un-American activities does this overfunded, under-regulated agency engage in?

WILLIAM J. DAVIS

Christic Institute, Los Angeles

* The issue of the CIA branding Aristide “manic depressive,” the interference of the Pentagon in the Salvadoran civil war, Reagan’s war against Nicaragua, etc., tie neatly with the question of illegal immigration. The American government goal to stop popular governments (true democracy!) from coming to power in the Caribbean and Central America has disrupted economies, led to thousands of deaths, and created an endless flow of illegal immigrants.

The policies of empire have now come to haunt us in the form of the ever-present “illegals” from Central America and the Caribbean. But isn’t it poetic justice?

MAURICIO DOMINGUEZ

Claremont