Fuller on Algeria

I was much amused to read Graham Fuller’s commentary (Dec. 28) on how best to deal with Islamic fundamentalism in Algeria. He asserts that we should encourage France to acquiesce in an Islamic fundamentalist regime taking power in Algeria. Fuller bolsters this position by pointing out that we are willing to do business with such authoritarian regimes as prevail in Saudi Arabia and China. Presumably, he believes we should continue to do business with these regimes.

But hold on a minute! A scant 18 months ago (June 23, 1993), Fuller himself authored an article in The Times condemning U.S. willingness to do business with China, a nation he described as a “rogue state,” whose conduct “lies outside the norms of acceptable behavior.”

Many of us are inclined to follow Fuller’s advice, given his access to confidential information as a result of his connection with RAND and the CIA. But, golly, which advice are we supposed to follow?

LARRY SELK

Los Angeles