Letters: Sep. 29, 1997

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The Windsors seem single-mindedly determined to carry on a role that makes a true difference to very few people. Indeed, we shouldn't expect too much from the royal family, and this highlights why Princess Diana was so special. I hope her two sons have their mother's independent and altruistic nature. ROBERT MACRAY San Francisco

Neither Wills nor Harry can become the kind of King that Diana knew the country needed until they take their mother's place in their subjects' hearts as the People's Princes. The princess is dead. Long live William and Harry! LIZ CRAWFORD Houston

PRIVACY RIGHTS

The most pressing need in the world today is a guaranteed right of privacy. Diana needed that. It should be made part of the U.S. Constitution and others around the globe. TOM EDWARDS Houston

If this horrible accident causes the media to realize they have a duty to take meaningful action and respect people's privacy, it would be a tribute to Diana. It would demonstrate a concern and an essential shift in attitude, so that such a tragedy will not happen again. MIKE MARGOLIS London

TEXTILE TRADE WITH CHINA

The story "A New Man in Donorgate?" [NATION, Sept. 8], about a January negotiating round between U.S. and Chinese representatives on a textile trade agreement, strangely omitted a few facts. The individual you focused on, Stephen Lau, whom you characterized as a Hong Kong businessman, openly presented himself as an adviser to the Chinese. While he did join me and other delegation members in a ride to a meeting with Chinese government officials, ostensibly as an escort to the Chinese Ministry of Trade, Lau did not engage in substantive discussions with anyone in the U.S. delegation about the ongoing U.S.-China textile negotiations nor did he attend the China Trade Ministry meeting. As you noted, I had no knowledge of Lau's business interests or of alleged campaign contributions by his associates. You overlooked the fact that the textile agreement achieved meaningful market access for American manufacturers in China for the first time and included other terms beneficial to American textile and apparel manufacturers and workers. RITA HAYES, Chief Textile Negotiator Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Washington

A MODEST PROPOSAL FOR SENATORS

So Trent Lott and some bipartisan Senators want to redesign the Senate chamber [NOTEBOOK, Sept. 8]. This would be the biggest government money pit since the construction of the Rayburn Building. The idea of putting up something that is "tasteful, historically appropriate and...television-friendly" will give way to things that are gold plated and unnecessary. The cost will easily hit $20 million because when Senators are doing for themselves, they just can't stop. I would much rather the public revolt and rip out the seats and air conditioning from both chambers. Uncomfortable legislators just might get the people's business done more quickly. GARY A. BEATTY Fort Wayne, Ind.

DOW CHEMICAL RESPONDS