Letters: Jan. 9, 1984

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Syria's Assad

To the Editors:

President Reagan should set a goal for himself in Lebanon [Dec. 19]. If he wants to back the Gemayel government in the hope that it can bring peace to Lebanon, then our forces will be there forever. If he wants to provoke Syria into a war with the U.S., the President need only continue on his present course. After the latest clashes with the Syrians, the Bekaa Valley and the Gulf of Tonkin seem similar.

Joseph White Scottsdale, Ariz.

You write that the Syrians can expect a strike in return "for every Syrian strike against American forces, such as the previous day's firing on U.S. reconnaissance planes." And why should the Syrians not attack U.S. planes that are sent out to spy on them?

Tim Gracyk San Francisco

By his intransigence, Syria's President Hafez Assad has driven the U.S. back into the arms of Israel.

John Field Holder Morrow, Ga.

Now that it has concluded an agreement with Israel, the U.S. has disqualified itself as a peace keeper for Lebanon. In the interest of peace, the U.S. should remove its troops from Lebanon.

Stanford G. Lehne Birmingham, Mich.

The Soviet Union has achieved its goal—fighting between Arabs and Americans. The Kremlin has accomplished this without having to risk the life of a single Soviet soldier.

Lars Bratt Palo Alto, Calif.

The American dilemma in Lebanon is symptomatic of our inability to understand our role as world managers. Once again the American giant has fumbled, this time by putting the Marines into a complex and hostile environment without first deciding on a plan of action.

Riley J. Oxley Jr. Atlanta

Hungry and Homeless

The 2 million homeless Americans [Dec. 19] are the public's responsibility. The problem cannot be solved simply by providing these people with free food and shelter. We need a federal program that will offer the homeless work, thus giving them hope for the future and a new respect for themselves.

Joetta Keene Fort Worth

We are spending $500 million this year on the 2 million homeless. That comes to $250 each. This is help?

Joyce M. Wright Sarasota, Fla.

I would like to come to the defense of Edwin Meese and his remarks about people who line up for free meals. He did not say all of the people were freeloaders; he said some of them were, and he was right. Rachel N. Moffett Hathaway Pines, Calif.

Housing has been universally recognized as a human right and need, yet the overall condition of shelter and basic services continues to deteriorate in most countries. As a result, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed 1987 as the International Year of Shelter for the Homeless. By focusing attention on the worldwide problem, the U.N. hopes to encourage nations to help their disadvantaged citizens improve their shelter and neighborhoods.

Arcot Ramachandran

U.N. Center for Human Settlements

Nairobi

Labor's Troubles

Labor unions [Dec. 19] were created to halt the exploitation of workers by big businesses, but the unions themselves have become big businesses.

Debbie Nicolai Pacifica, Calif.

Are the company executives who are asking for wage cuts from their employees also decreasing their own salaries?

Ann Morton Agelasto Norfolk

Executions and Abortions