Change in the Mideast Brings Cheers and Fears

Re “Hold the Confetti,” editorial, March 2: In the midst of the first seeds of democratic reform in the Mideast seen in my lifetime, how ironic that The Times cautions that it “is far too soon for even the believers to claim victory.” Apparently, it’s never too soon for the “nonbelievers” on the left to claim defeat.

Pete Lewis

Trabuco Canyon

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Is there a single Democratic politician willing to stand up to the Republican public relations juggernaut about the success of the Iraqi election and point out that it was a religious fatwa issued by Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani that drove Shiites to the polls, not love of American-style democracy. Women were ordered to vote even if it was a violation of their husbands’ wishes.

The results show just how wise the ayatollah is, with his candidates winning over the American-supported candidates, Iraq having a new leader who believes in Islamic law (and was a lifelong resident of Iran), and a bonus in the form of the continuing U.S. efforts to eliminate Sunni opposition.

Harold Walter

Northridge

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The governmental change in Lebanon is a true cause for celebration. Freedom can prevail in the Middle East; people can throw off the yoke of oppression and foreign domination. Care should be taken, however, in crediting our current foreign policy for this development. There would be no similar celebrating in the streets of Beirut if their freedom was the result of our bombs, guns and troops.

The success that is happening in Lebanon highlights, and is in marked contrast to, the abject failure of our policy and actions in Iraq. The changes in Lebanon occurred without our involvement, not because of it. Only the neoconservatives advising President Bush would be sufficiently arrogant and dense to believe that our bombs and occupation could ever produce similar results.

Bill Hessell

Culver City

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Re “Winds of Change Stir in Mideast, but Their Direction Is Unclear,” news analysis, March 1: The winds of change are blowing across the Middle East, but in which direction? The election in Iraq, promoted initially over U.S. objections, produced a winning party with strong Iranian ties. Yasser Arafat’s death and U.S. and Israeli demands for change helped elevate a leader who previously executed attacks against Israeli citizens, albeit at another time.

Lebanon’s Syrian-backed government fell, and Syrian troops are gradually withdrawing, while Hezbollah, a power in Lebanon, waits to collect its winnings. Multiparty elections in Egypt? If it happens (and that’s a big if), fundamentalist parties, with ties to Iran and Saudi Arabia, may seize power.

As the “spread of democracy” engulfs the Middle East, as it once did Iran, we should say a little prayer. God help us, we may get what we’ve asked for.

Donald Feinberg

Tarzana