Giuliani Rejects Check ‘Wrapped in a Rebuke’

Re “Giuliani Refuses Saudi’s Check,” Oct. 12: By rejecting a $10-million gift from Saudi Prince Al Waleed ibn Talal ibn Abdulaziz al Saud because the donation accompanied a message that U.S. foreign policy incited the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, New York Mayor Rudolph Giuliani sent his own message: There is no moral justification for mass murder.

It is a message that bears repeating, and his elegant gesture deserves to be recognized with gratitude. Thank you, Mayor Giuliani.

Mark Green

Pacific Palisades

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Giuliani’s rejection of Prince Al Waleed’s suggestion that the current crisis is a time for the U.S. to reexamine its Middle East policies and adopt a more balanced stand toward the Palestinian cause hurts our war against terrorism. It puts all of us--especially our military people overseas--in more danger.

Certainly no justification for the terrorist attacks in New York or Washington or anywhere else exists. But when an Arab friend--and the U.S. has too few--comes offering condolences and help and is met with rebuke when he suggests that we also look to ourselves as part of the solution, how can those in the Arab world whose respect we are attempting to win not find this offensive?

Alex Hansen

Pasadena

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Note to the Saudi monarchy: Next time you have the compulsion to dispatch an anointed oil prince to America bearing a token gift wrapped in a rebuke of U.S. foreign policy, save the fuel.

Mark Clancey

San Juan Capistrano

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There is no implication of “justification” in the recognition of cause and effect. For anyone with a smattering of awareness of human nature, the Israeli “settlements” and the mind-set that allowed them sent up red flags years ago. America had the clout to persuade the Israelis to abandon that idea and we did not.

Wade Reynolds

Newport Beach