Letter to the Editor

Syrian accountability

I strongly agree with you on your editorial “Assad’s terror network” (Wednesday). Syria was and still is a threat to U.S. policy in the region. It also is a threat to any future viable peace plan.

The sanctions imposed by Washington against Syria have a political meaning rather than an economic one. So, accordingly, Syria is not really suffering because of these sanctions. Syria is supporting the terrorism in Iraq and Lebanon through Hezbollah. On the other hand, Syria cannot afford to be isolated.

What is the answer to this complex situation? A notable change in U.S. foreign policy, stronger sanctions on Syria and closer relations with Jordan, Kuwait, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The leaders of these countries are highly respected in the region, enough to influence the Syrian president. The United States also should further advance the implementation of the Syria Accountability and Lebanese Sovereignty Restoration Act; since Syria occupied Lebanon, the Syrian regime publicly names even the president of Lebanon.

Get Syria out of Lebanon, and it will no longer be in the position of supporting terrorism.

MANUELA PARAIPAN

Arad, Romania

A reaffirmation of innocence

It would have been better if The Washington Times could have found a less prejudiced reviewer for R. Bruce Craig’s book “Treasonable Doubt: The Harry Dexter White Spy Case.” Joseph C. Goulden’s piece (“Soviet collaborator, intelligence in Pacific,” Books, May 9) is not so much a review as a diatribe.

Mr. Goulden does not soberly question the author’s interpretation of evidence, counter his arguments or disagree with his conclusions. Still in the grip, it seems, of the anti-Communist rage of Cold War days, Mr. Goulden can only display his contempt for the man whose book he is reviewing. He says Mr. Craig “haggles over details,” lectures him on the historical significance of the Comintern(Communist International), and dismisses his work as a “ploy by the academic left.” In closing, he attacks Mr. Craig for his “dishonesty,” “moral squalor,” etc.

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