Yasser Arafat

* In response to “The Peripatetic Yasser Arafat,” editorial, Dec. 18:

I was most surprised and delighted to read a very objective view regarding the lack of Yasser Arafat’s statesmanship. You placed the hammer squarely on the nail. When will the Palestinian leader stop trying to be an international star and begin addressing the challenges faced by his people?

Now, what about a more objective report from Gaza and the West Bank?

MARTIN HARDSTARK

Irvine

* Any more itchy-footed than U.S. secretaries of state--and, sometimes, our Presidents--who are also representing Israel? How’d you like to have their frequent-flyer bonuses?

DONALD E. WEBSTER

Claremont