Haiti

In “Yes, We Can Rebuild the Country” (Commentary, June 16), Andrew Young clearly pushes for a forceful return of the Aristide government. He envisions the return of Haitians from abroad with skills and resources. Young didn’t carry this thought far enough. The forceful retaking of Haiti should be by these same Haitians with fighting skills. It is only right that if blood is to be shed to return democracy (when did they ever have it?) it should be Haitian blood. We should help train them, equip them and wish them luck.

PAUL WASSERMAN

Northridge

Recently, the situation in Haiti has become more and more disturbing. Although I feel that something must be done, I do not feel that an embargo is the best solution. This will not only hurt many of the innocent people in Haiti, it will also force them to destroy what is left of their once-beautiful island.

I have never been to Haiti, but a friend of mine has told me about what he has seen there. In the month that he spent doing volunteer work at a hospital, he was able to view the country. He claimed that the people who lived there were not concerned with the environment, but the survival of themselves and their families. Because of this attitude, which is natural considering the circumstances, much of Haiti’s beautiful jungle has been destroyed. Continuing the embargo may force Haitians to destroy the few natural resources and natural beauty they have left.

In addition, experience shows that embargoes have little effect on dictatorships, since those in power are not affected by them and the rest of the population is suppressed, unarmed, and has little power, if any.

WALTER HSIAO

Laguna Hills