Iraqi Civilians Killed by U.S.

Re “Errant U.S. Missile May Have Killed Iraq Civilians,” Jan. 26:

I’m bothered by the recent series of bombings of Iraq. Despite Saddam Hussein’s invasion of Kuwait, which justified the U.N. Special Commission’s mission, there’s a broader picture being missed here: the unity of the world’s Islamic poor and their anger at the murder of innocent civilians by errant U.S. missiles, not to mention eight years of sanctions.

True, Saddam never intended to fully comply with UNSCOM. He felt, perhaps rightly, that he could break the sanctions by taunting and embarrassing us with civilian-casualty newsreels, exactly as he is doing. But that doesn’t make the casualties any less real. When Gen. Anthony Zinni said the Pentagon was “investigating” Iraqi claims of civilian deaths, I felt like saying, “Idiot, watch CNN!” Those shops and homes weren’t demolished by peasants.

Despite technology, there are no such things as “smart” weapons. In the heat of combat, missiles and bombs always go awry.

We’re trapped in a terrible cycle. The sanctions have caused starvation and death across Iraq. The people cry out for relief. As we patrol Iraqi skies, they call us oppressors. They look at their dead and feel justified in shooting at us. We respond with missiles and bombs. More civilians are killed. Iraqis are further incensed. They target our planes with renewed vigor. We drop more bombs. The anger of Muslims worldwide continues to grow. We wonder why there are Osama bin Ladens.

We are sowing the seeds of hatreds that will last decades.

RUSS KINGSTON

Los Angeles