We need even-handedness in the Middle
East
[6-15-02]
The Rev. Arch Taylor, a former Presbyterian Japan
missionary, has sent this letter to President Bush, commending his
even-handedness in dealing with the Pakistan-India conflict, and
urging the same kind of approach to the Israeli-Palestinian situation.
To President George W. Bush
White House, Washington DC
Dear Mr. President:
I commend you for some of the initiatives your
administration is taking to try to avoid war between India and Pakistan.
You are correct in urging President Musharraf of Pakistan to take
vigorous measures to stop terrorist actions against India. You are
correct also in telling President Vajpay of India not to expect 100%
stoppage of such terrorists acts, since there will always be groups
which succeed in such acts despite the Pakistani government's vigilance.
Regarding the conflict between the Israelis and the
Palestinians, however, you have not shown a similarly evenhanded
approach. You have given Ariel Sharon of Israel complete freedom to do
whatever he wants against the whole Palestinian population, acts which
fair minded objective observers have rightly branded as terrorist acts
against non-combatant civilians, including women, children, the elderly,
and physically handicapped persons. You have allowed Sharon to destroy
the total infrastructure of the Palestinian Authority, depriving it of
the ability to maintain law and order.
In spite of all that, you have called Sharon a man of
peace and have joined him in making the absolute demand on Yassir Arafat
to put a complete stop to terrorist attacks against Israelis. That is an
unreasonable and indefensible requirement.
Mr. President, your policies in these two situations
is contradictory and inconsistent. You have caved in totally to the
demands of Israel and the powerful Jewish political and media blocs
which dictate US policy in the Middle East.
Your political ambitions are driving you and the US,
and the whole world as well, closer and closer to a major war. You are
following a course which only multiplies Arab and Muslim resentment
against the US, giving them all the greater incentive to make more
terrorist attacks against us.
Please stop and reverse course before it's too late.
Rev. Arch B. Taylor, Jr.
