In Africa, Western Help Goes Unappreciated

So President Bush is getting pressure to pump millions of dollars into Africa (“U.N. Presses U.S. for Troops to Help End Liberia’s Civil War,” July 1). My question is simply: Why? History has proven countless times that nothing the Western world ever does for Africa is appreciated, nor does it help. Any aid from the U.S., whether financial or food, is used by corrupt African leaders as a political tool to establish even-more-ruthless dictatorial power. The tribal infighting in Africa will never go away. They have created a huge mess, in every sense, on the continent with the richest resources on Earth. They have made their bed -- let them sleep in it.

Grant Henderson

Los Angeles