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ABOUT DANGEROUS CARGO
Your report on the tragic crash of Swissair Flight 111 [Sept. 14] was incorrect in stating that shippers are not required to disclose to air carriers the contents of their parcels even if they contain hazardous materials. International Air Transportation Association regulations require that all dangerous items transported by air within the U.S. must have a complete and proper declaration. In addition, the contents of every package shipped internationally must be fully declared, whether hazardous or not. Our company ships dangerous materials worldwide, and we take our responsibilities very seriously, as do all other reputable transportation companies and airlines. The strictest possible controls are required to ensure compliance with the regulations by all in the air-transportation industry. It is important that your readers know procedures are in place to protect the safety of all. WAYNE B. HEYLAND, President and CEO World Courier Group Inc. Stamford, Conn.

NOT A LAND OF MILK AND HONEY
In her article on the problems of waste and pollution in Israel [Sept. 7], Lisa Beyer eloquently put into words what many of us feel regarding our country, although our behavior does not sometimes show it. Yes, we Israelis must have greater regard for protecting our environment, and yes, we should sometimes act more politely than we do. But, hey, our country is only 50 years old, and we have progressed a long way, especially in recent years. Sure, we have lots to learn, and we will, given the chance. It's not for nothing that we are called Sabras, the Hebrew word for opuntia fruits, or prickly pears. We are hard and prickly on the outside, yet soft and sweet within.
NORA LOTEM
Ra'annana, Israel

In her report "Civilizing Israel" [Sept. 14], Lisa Beyer says Israelis are demanding better customer service and are shedding their prickliness. She says Israelis are learning "to treat each other nicely, but only because they have to." Unfortunately Beyer is treating Israel badly because she likes to. One thing is sure: Israelis are so hypercritical of themselves that they tend to blurt out complaints to the sympathetic ears of anyone who will listen.
H. BANK
Tel Aviv, Israel

Israel is very "civilized" within the framework of a struggling and pressurized Middle Eastern nation that strives very hard to be "Western." Israelis have perceptions of time, space and values that are completely different from those of North Americans. Israelis see Americans as artificial and square, when they are actually just showing respect. Americans think Israelis are arrogant, rude and pushy, when in realilty they are being direct and honest. Israel is a very small country whose population is one big family. In a family people can be as direct and honest as they want. But now that family members are selling their goods and services outside the clan, Israelis are adapting.
JOEL LEYDEN, Director
International Executive Training Programs
Berlitz Israel Ltd.
Ramat Gan, Israel

MALAYSIA IN CRISIS
Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad seems to believe that all of Malaysia's, and indeed Asia's, current economic woes can be blamed on speculators and traders [Sept. 14]. This shows a naive understanding of how free markets actually work. When investors have confidence in a country, they will bring capital into it. When they lose confidence, they will pull their capital out. It's their capital. They can use it as they wish. Mahathir has no right to regulate outflow of capital when he originally welcomed it with open arms. To say otherwise is complete hypocrisy. I have visited Malaysia. I saw a country deeply ingrained with crony capitalism, a place with little apparent democracy, where people of Chinese origin are treated as second-class citizens and blamed for the social and economic ills of the country. And I saw a nation in which money was wasted on dubious projects, like constructing the world's tallest building and other monuments to the ego of Malaysia's Prime Minister. So Mahathir wants to blame the West for his unraveling, dysfunctional society. I reject this view. He should put his own house in order first and remedy the social injustice in his country. Then he can tell the West how wrong it is.
HUGH BROWER
Stamford, Conn.

The utmost concern of Malaysians right now is the value placed on human life. The stability of a country, especially a multiracial one like Malaysia, is of critical importance. Believe it or not, be we Malay, Chinese or Indian, we love one another as Malaysians. Please don't disrupt our peaceful country with your coverage and play havoc with our multiracial feelings! We know ourselves best, so let us manage our country out of these economic woes. Mahathir may be a bit too blunt and straightforward in conveying his thoughts, but he is right on some points. Think about the economic havoc caused by the financial speculators who are responsible for the suffering of countries like ours.
NORIDA ABD RAHMAN
Alor Setar, Malaysia