U.S. Aid for Central America

* Re “Damage Wasn’t an Act of God but Act of Man,” Commentary, March 11: How sad it is to see the devastation that Hurricane Mitch wrought upon our neighbors to the south. After the trip by President Clinton to this torn area, it is nice to see such a poor area garner some media attention, since it doesn’t have vital natural resources for Americans to use every day like oil. It is incumbent upon the United States to economically assist Central Americans because their fate is inevitably tied with ours; when their homes wash away they will leave and come here, and since the voters of California do not like to pay for illegal immigrants, this is unacceptable.

How about thinking long term for a change? If the Congress acts to fully fund the Agency for International Development, maybe we can do some good for this region and prevent a mass migration to our neck of the woods. After funding Central American conflict in the ‘80s, it would be nice to fund a little healing instead.

MICHAEL P. HAGER

Ventura

* If there is a problem in finding U.S. government funds to aid Nicaragua in its troubles, wouldn’t it be appropriate to take the money out of the CIA budget?

FRANCES SPIELBERG

Pacific Palisades

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* U.S. aid to El Salvador in the ‘80s has been vindicated by the latest free Salvadoran election results, which evidently will continue the pro-America Arena party rule (March 9).

Salvadorans given temporary sanctuary in our country can gratefully return home now, feeling good about their native country’s brighter political future and contributing to its economic recovery firsthand.

HARVEY PEARSON

Los Angeles