Letters: Oct. 20, 1986

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To the Editors: Americans must destroy the power of crime families [NATION, Sept. 29]. U.S. Attorneys Rudolph Giuliani and Diane Giacalone deserve to be praised for their outstanding work in prosecuting Mafia Boss John Gotti. He and the other bosses are the scum of the earth. Phillip Bryant Snow Fort Lauderdale

Your report was one of the most enlightening articles on law enforcement I have read. Giuliani and his department should be awarded the Medal of Honor for courage in the line of duty; in fact, above and beyond the call of duty. John P. Donoski Bridgeport, Conn.

Beneath the hype and ambition of the prosecutors in the trials of the Mafia families lies the real issue of human frailty. The decimation of these organizations will not thwart the demand for their services. In time, others, perhaps more ruthless and less insular, will fill the vacuum. Paul Riley New York City

You refer to the latest terrorism in Paris in the past tense, as if the attacks were over [WORLD, Sept. 29]. Unfortunately, the paranoia of Parisians and the street patrols have not ended. Soldiers continue to stand on busy corners, and avenues are choked with cars and taxis carrying people afraid to ride the Métro. I wish I could have felt comfortable reading your story as an after-the-fact commentary. But the security checks and sirens remind us that it is not over yet. Carolyn Grose Paris

I truly feel sorry for the Parisians who are enduring this wave of bombings. But to some New Zealanders, this latest bout of terrorism is ironic. Was it not the French government that committed its own terrorist bombing against the Greenpeace ship in New Zealand last year? France strongly lobbied for the release of two of its terrorists, Alain Mafart and Dominique Prieur, just as the Arab extremists are now campaigning for the release of their comrades. Chris Aimer Dunedin, New Zealand

The victory of Corazon Aquino was a historic triumph. Her visit to the U.S. was yet another magical event [WORLD, Sept. 29]. The recognition accorded her is a warning to future politicians and a reproach to past leaders of different virtues. Jesus C. Bacala Scottsburg, Ind.

President Aquino's charm lies in her honesty. Until she came along, I was disillusioned with politicians. She has projected a new image of the profession. We Koreans thirst for a leader like Aquino. Chin-Hyun Kim Soon-Chon City, South Korea

Corazon Aquino may be our finest world leader today. John Hannahs Evanston, Wyo.

After the cheers and applause for President Aquino have died down, I hope Americans will not forget their pledge to support her government. She has challenged the U.S. to join us Filipinos in building a democracy. The U.S. should not refuse the offer. Cheryl V. Echevarria Quezon City, the Philippines