Al Gore

* Re “Gore Unveils U.S.-Japan Asia Aid Effort,” Nov. 17: I was flabbergasted by Vice President Al Gore’s speech during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit calling the [anti-government protesters] reformation movement the “brave” people of Malaysia. Where is the bravery of rioting like hooligans in the streets and burning law enforcement vehicles?

The overwhelming majority of Malaysians do not condone those actions even if they sympathize with their cause. Does Gore consider the people who took part in the Los Angeles riots as brave for wanting a change in the judiciary system?

KIRANJIT SINGH

Anaheim

*

Listening to Gore criticize the Malaysian government, I was reminded of times past when the U.S. was also accused of “interfering” with other people’s internal affairs. I think there is a problem with cultural miscommunications that I can help explain to the Malaysian people. What the vice president was really trying to say is that we are the U.S., the richest and most powerful country in the world. We have the right to be arrogant, “interfering,” obnoxious and rude to any country that is smaller than we are. We have cruise missiles and you don’t. We won’t hesitate to use them against you.

It matters not that other countries in Asia have a much more serious “human rights” problem than yours; they contribute money to the Democratic National Committee. If you want to be treated with the respect that China and Indonesia are in international affairs, you should contribute more to the DNC. Our government’s behavior is simple--might is right and money talks.

FRANK C. ALVIDREZ

Lancaster