Iraq Embargo

John Daniszewiski’s Column One on the literary situation in Iraq (Dec. 10) is a confirmation that art cannot be divorced from social reality, and that any literary expression is the result of our living conditions. The most recent exponent of this fact is Wislawa Szymborska--the new Nobel laureate--who when talking about the poetry of her generation agrees that the impact that World War II (when Poland lost nearly one-fifth of its population) has had on them is such that their works have been forever marked.

Iraq’s situation is, however, particularly sad because it is not only the result of a totalitarian regime but of the world economic embargo against Saddam Hussein as well, which makes all of us share the blame for the devastating conditions. Fortunately, the recent agreement allowing this nation to sell $2 billion worth of oil on world markets over the next six months may hopefully alleviate some pain.

Whether fewer people will need to sell their books or there will be more buyers for such books is certainly hard to tell. But one thing is for sure: Artistic creativity and aesthetic appreciation benefit a great deal when one doesn’t have to worry about basic issues like nutrition, education, individual and collective freedom, etc.

BERTA GRACIANO

Beverly Hills

* The United Nations agreed to permit Iraq to sell oil so that the nation can buy food to avoid malnutrition. The United States evidently agrees. How come the United States does not also abide by the United Nations vote to permit trading with Cuba?

MILTON L. TAUBKIN

Los Angeles