Weapons Exports

* Regarding “Hypocrisy on Human Rights” (Commentary, July 24), it occurs to me to draw a parallel between the actions of our government and those of Colombia.

We export billions of dollars worth of weapons to countries identified as human-rights abusers where thousands of innocent victims have no choice but to be killed at the hands of U.S.-armed murderers and thugs. On the other hand, the Colombian mafia exports drugs consumed by people who could say no to them.

Colombian President Ernesto Samper, whose government has for all practical purposes destroyed the Cali cartel, is attacked by the Clinton administration, and yet little criticism, if any, is leveled at Bill Clinton or his government for permitting, and even encouraging, a traffic responsible for so much misery in some of the most impoverished areas of our planet.

RODRIGO PALACIOS

Walnut