Letters to the Editor

From Ambassador Minikes

Yesterday’s editions of The Washington Times prints a letter over my name and title, purportedly coming from me (“The State Department’s corrosive culture”). It is a complete and utter fabrication and an impersonation by whoever wrote and signed my name to it. It was not written by or for me, and it expresses views that are diametrically opposite to the views I hold.

The fact is that never in my long career have I worked with a more dedicated group of professionals than those I have encountered in the Department of State led by Secretary Colin L. Powell — people who are absolutely committed to executing the president’s foreign policy goals.

It is a shame that your verification procedures allowed such a forgery to slip through and be printed.

STEPHAN M. MINIKES

Ambassador

Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

Vienna, Austria

Preserving the institution of marriage

I’d like to express my support for Mona Charen’s Saturday commentary, “We … the justices.” Although Mrs. Charen’s article is specifically about Lawrence vs. Texas, it brushes the surface of a much more complex issue: allowing homosexual unions. I share the author’s disdain toward this possibility.

The institution of marriage is different from other socially created institutions. It was not created by the government but, rather, was inherited. The state simply began recognizing a long-standing tradition of humanity. Therefore, the government does not have the right to redefine an institution it did not create.

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