Readers React: Syrian refugee crisis: a river of people

To the editor: The front-page weekend piece with photos about Syrians fleeing to Europe was heartbreaking. A good start, if you seek an emotional solution. (“Perilous Journey,” Sept. 20)

However, the long-term effects of uncontrolled mass emigration pouring tens of thousands of people into cultures into which they do not want to assimilate will be a disaster for everyone.

Remember, Syria is only one source of this river of people. There are equally sad stories from Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iraq and Libya, with tens of millions of “refugees.” When Germany becomes “Northern Lebanon,” the effects will be clear.

Finally, the accompanying list of countries receiving the most asylum requests doesn’t mention oil-rich countries, or Asian nations, or Russia, for instance. Is this a crisis for which only Europe must bear the burden, or will South Korea and Argentina, for example — the home countries of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the pope, respectively — open their doors?

David Goodwin, Los Angeles

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To the editor: Thousands of Middle Eastern migrants have swarmed into Europe, and Saudi Arabia is now finally offering to help.

No, the Persian Gulf state isn’t offering to take in the so-called refugees. The Saudis are offering something much “nicer” to the states having to deal with the migrant surge: paying for the building of 200 mosques in Germany.

To any sane person, this overture would come across as a slap in the face. Saudi Arabia, despite being much closer in terms of geography and culture to the Syrian diaspora, has resisted all calls to take in refugees.

Federico Iches, Santa Clarita

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