Saddam Hussein

* Re “Arms Inspector’s Quitting Tests U.S. Iraq Policy,” Aug. 28: Scott Ritter’s resignation from the United Nation’s arms inspection team points up the shameful failure of the U.N. to require Saddam Hussein to honor the agreement he signed at the end of the Gulf War. He was to open his country to unhampered inspection. His balking and our failure to follow through on our promise to punish him severely teach him that he can go back to manufacturing chemical and nuclear weapons with impunity.

I hope it isn’t President Clinton’s fear of stupid “wag the dog” charges that’s keeping him from doing what prudence and the law require him to do. Surrendering Chamberlain-like to Hussein’s intransigence is wrong, wrong, wrong and we’ll pay for it with American lives.

ANN ALPER

Pacific Palisades