The Nuclear Power Source
I’d like to congratulate NEWSWEEK on its report on nuclear power and the alarming state of the world’s aging nuclear-power infrastructure (“Where Is the Next Chernobyl?” Europe, Oct. 18). It’s time for all of us to start talking about this problem. Everyone knows what kinds of disasters it may bring about–not only for the people who live near reactors, but for the entire human race. Alexandro da Silva Amaral Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
The hidden reality that your article missed is that nuclear energy is probably the only large-scale power source that will be able to supply energy needs in the next century. Nuclear reactors don’t emit carbon dioxide and other “greenhouse” gases. With the rising use of fossil fuels in developing countries, an increased use of nuclear power in advanced societies may be the only way to keep the planet from burning up. Glen E. Sjoden Colorado Springs, Colorado
In 1875, a statement was made in the U.S. Senate saying that never before in history was society confronted with a power so full of possible danger and at the same time so full of promises for the future of humankind and for peace in our world. One’s first thought is that this is a statement on nuclear power. However, the statement is about the internal-combustion engine. We should be grateful that those senators back then had the vision and the (political) courage to take on this challenge. All over the world, in addition to “green” power plants, new nuclear-power plants are coming online and existing plants are going through overhauls and life-extension programs. It is totally wrong to try to kill nuclear technology and ignore the technical trends in history and the responsibilities for the future well-being of the human race. It means being afraid of the unknown–a policy that belongs to the Dark Ages. G.A.K. Crommelin Voorschoten, Netherlands
The problem is not nuclear technology per se, but the incompetent bureaucrats in charge of the nuclear plants of the former Soviet Union. It’s all about the heritage of the Soviet system. Gil A. Mercier Jakarta, Indonesia
Both France and Japan have a long history of producing a major portion of their electricity in nuclear plants cheaply, cleanly and safely. The Tokaimura accident was an exception, but it was not treated as such. NEWSWEEK clearly opposes nuclear power, but you have no viable alternative to offer. Incidents in nuclear-power plants have killed far fewer people per megawatt than accidents in power plants burning fossil fuels. As you reported, some 16 percent of the world’s energy is produced in nuclear plants. Therefore, it would be irresponsible to start closing down well-functioning plants, as producing the equivalent share of energy by burning fossil fuels could irreversibly transform our planet’s climate. Pekka Tuominen Espoo, Finland
‘Who’s Paying in Chechnya?’
The problem with Russia’s involvement in Chechnya is simple: it does not have CNN on its side (“A Fight for Honor?” Europe, Oct. 18). So when a bus carrying civilians is hit, it remains a bus carrying civilians and is not reported as a camouflaged tank convoy. Alexander Lechonitis Athens, Greece
The Russian economy is in the doldrums, and the Russians have difficulties surviving without Western financial aid. When they hastily sent their battalion to Kosovo, they even had the cheek to ask that the stationing of their troops be paid for by international organizations. So who’s paying for their war in Chechnya? Who will be paying the million-dollar bounty for the head of Shamil Basayev? American and European governments and people, pay heed: you are indirectly funding the ignoble colonial war. Mustayeen A. Khan Angers, France
Hinduism in India
Your article on the Indian election seems to have concentrated on the religious rather than on the economic agenda of the Bharatiya Janata Party (“All Smiles?” Asia, Oct. 18). If Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee wishes his last tenure to be a memorable one, he will have to spend more time on making bold decisions on the economic and political fronts, rather than spending time on religious activities or cajoling his allies. Abhinav Goel Indore, India
Thank you for highlighting the growing religious fundamentalism in India ("‘Hindustan for the Hindus!’ “). It’s indeed sad to note that the Gujarat state government is blind to the atrocities being committed on the Christians by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh. It chooses to forget that citizens of that state form a sizable portion of Hindus living in peaceful conditions in the Christian-dominated west. The murder of missionary Graham Staines was merely to divert the attention of the minorities commission from a BJP-ruled Gujarat to a Congress-ruled Orissa. Royston Mascarenhas Mumbai, India
I found your article " ‘Hindustan for the Hindus!’ " very interesting. You are completely right to underline most of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh brutalities like “murders of priests and rapes of nuns.” You are also quite right to report the popularity of the RSS in terms of educational sponsorship and “relief efforts in times of floods.” However, you fail to explain whether the RSS’s concern is really genuine. I, personally, do not understand how Hinduism–as a comprehensive way of living–can be linked to violence and manipulative mobs. Pierre Tran St-Antonin-Noble-Val, France
Rejecting the Test-Ban Treaty
I agree with Jonathan Alter in his critical attitude toward the U.S. Senate’s refusal to ratify the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty (“Playing Politics With the Bomb,” World View, Oct. 18). The United States is bound to lose its credibility with other nations if it keeps demanding from them what it is not prepared to do itself. It is morally dubious to place economic sanctions on India and Pakistan while reserving the privilege to conduct one’s own tests. Against the backdrop of a military coup in Islamabad and a likely deterioration in relations between India and Pakistan, the Senate’s decision appears to be even more problematic. Werner Radtke Paderborn, Germany
I guess there wasn’t space enough for Jonathan Alter to note that the misguided CTBT was opposed by six former secretaries of Defense, four former secretaries of Energy, four former heads of the CIA as well as several former chairmen of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, plus a collection of former national-security advisers and secretaries of State. Michael N. Beltramo Los Angeles, California
The CTBT purports to stop nuclear testing, but does not contain verification provisions strong enough to enforce it. Nations such as North Korea, Iran, Iraq and China would surely violate the CTBT. However, the United States and its allies would honor it. Thus, the treaty would tie our hands and leave no verification or enforcement for the nations against which it is needed the most. This would produce a less secure world. Todd J. Cason Reston, Virginia
Kosovo’s Aftermath
I was pleased to see your article on the missing Kosovar Albanians, as it is an issue that has not been given its rightful place (“The Missing Men of Djakovica,” Europe, Oct. 18). Having seen one of the first demonstrations by the wives and children of the disappeared in July, I remain moved by the quiet dignity with which they asked the Red Cross and others to investigate the disappearance of their loved ones. However, none of the disappeared men would claim to come from Djakovica. They would say that they come from the town of Gjakova. Why do your articles continue to use the Serbian rather than the Albanian names for places? Michael Taylor London, England
Intermarriage in Malaysia
The shooting of a young Chinese gentleman by a Malaysian police officer because he was found with a Malay girl is inexcusable and has to be dealt with by law (“Erasing the Color Line,” Asia, Oct. 18). In Malaysia it is not a police practice to shoot people like that. The error of one or a few policemen should not be used as a cause to condemn the entire Malaysian police force, the government or its leaders. J. Jegathesan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Let me assure the rest of the world that in Malaysia we can marry freely across our “racially divided society.” The focus of your story should have been on religion, not skin color. The “proximity law” applies to any man of any religion who’s together with an unmarried Islamic woman. Violations of this law come under the jurisdiction of the Syariah Court (which handles affairs between Muslim couples), not Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad. Wee Beng Chua Muar, Malaysia
Japan’s North Korea Policy
I’m writing to express the Asahi Shimbun’s displeasure with a reference to our newspaper in your story “The Mystery Man and the Missile” (Asia, Sept. 13). It referred to a part of our Aug. 31, 1999, editorial " ‘Taepodong’ ichi-nen no kyokun,” and we believe that the reference conveys an inaccurate impression of our newspaper’s position. Nowhere in the above-mentioned editorial is there any reference to the Asahi Shimbun’s “calling for a resumption of food aid to ease the North Korean famine, despite the rocket threats,” and the section referred to does not honestly reflect the assertions and overall thrust of the editorial. Your story also says that our newspaper “was barraged with reader complaints,” but the “complaints” we received were not leveled at the contentions developed in your story and the number of letters was not extraordinarily high. Moreover, we believe that your statement that “popular sentiment is now so militant” is not an accurate reflection of Japanese public sentiment. We are greatly alarmed at the fact that an influential magazine such as NEWSWEEK misunderstood our editorial’s position and reported our readers’ reactions to the editorial in an exaggerated manner. We strongly urge that you take great care in the future so that similar inaccuracies will not be repeated. Toshitaka Ohazama Asahi Shimbun Tokyo, Japan
Lafontaine vs. Schroder
I was pleased to read your article on Oskar Lafontaine’s new book criticizing German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder (“Memoirs of an Ex-Friend,” Europe, Oct. 18). Lafontaine’s book should be thoroughly ridiculed for the childish revenge. Alexander Katz Bad Durkheim, Germany
Pinochet’s Case
Augusto Pinochet is the one torturing himself, not the justice system and the British judge’s ruling that ordered Pinochet’s extradition to Spain (“Awaiting Justice,” World Affairs, Oct. 18). Nobody cares about seeing him in prison. What the world wants is that his crimes be recognized and accepted as such. A simple apology from his side would most probably free him on the spot. But Pinochet is too proud. Rene Gardea Prague, Czech Republic
I think the coverage of Gen. Augusto Pinochet is biased and unfair to the ailing statesman. No matter what happened during the 1973 coup or afterward, one thing is certain: General Pinochet saved his country from becoming a miserable satellite of the Soviet Union similar to, for example, Cuba. The coup in Santiago had an immense effect on the slave nations of Eastern Europe as well. It clearly showed that it is reasonable and honorable to stand up against the tide of Bolshevism anywhere, any time. Miklos Udvaros Budapest, Hungary
Benefiting From the Net
I read with interest your Special Report “The Dawn of E-Life” (Oct. 11). Here in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Organization for Security and Co-Operation in Europe (OSCE) Mission, established by the Dayton peace accords, is leading the way in providing electronic information to Bosnia diaspora, young people, nongovernmental organizations, journalists, academics and researchers around the world through its quadrilingual Web site. Nearly four years after the end of the war in Bosnia, 400,000 Bosnian refugees are still living in 54 countries. The Internet is the most cost-effective tool to provide information to these individuals. While the electronic networking in Bosnia is in a nascent stage of development, the OSCE Mission is doing its best to push the envelope and include all citizens in the peace process though the World Wide Web. Tanya L. Domi OSCE Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
I enjoyed your article “We’ve Got Mail–Always.” My wife and I benefit enormously from e-mail. Since we both travel we make huge savings on phone and fax. We also keep in touch with family and friends through e-mail. But Andrew Leonard enthuses over the fact that 225 million people have access to e-mail, which amounts to just over 3 percent of the total world population. Between 80 and 90 percent of these are people from the world’s wealthiest countries and the rest are ultrarich people from poor countries. We are definitely not “all connected, day or night”: only a few lucky ones of us are. The real challenge is how to make e-mail and the Net useful to the remaining 97 percent who currently do not benefit from it. Torben B. Larsen Pasay, Philippines
Count me in as one of the millions whose real life is better because it includes e-life. Where else but on the Internet could I have met more than 100 other women expecting babies during the same month I was to discuss, rant and whine about the day-to-day ups and downs of pregnancy? And we’re still e-mailing each other now, four years later, about the trials of parenting, quirky kids, marriages, divorces and new babies. We’re physically spread all over the globe and I may never meet some of them, but they are as close as my computer, any time I need them, day or night. They are some of my best friends–they are my cybersisters. Sondra Ailinger Odenton, Maryland
E-mail is especially crucial to people who are hard of hearing and cannot communicate on the phone. Without it, I would not be able to “hear” from my family on a daily or weekly basis (from wherever they are in the world). I would not be able to communicate locally with friends on minor things like where to meet, what to wear to dinner and who else will be there. I am also much more fun in e-mails than in person. Claudia Koontz Colville, Washington
In the first sentence of your article on the new wired world, you ask: “Was there a single moment when we turned the corner?” Surely it occurred in September 1998, when the long-awaited Starr Report became available to the world–via the Internet. I remember watching national TV broadcasters sitting facing Internet screens, their backs to the camera, reading aloud from the report to viewers. It hit me at that very moment–we were on the threshold of a new world. Wendy Adamson Minneapolis, Minnesota
Your Special Report “The Dawn of E-Life” gave an excellent account of the information revolution as it reaches maturity. One thing that was missing, however, was an account of the origins of that revolution. From its beginnings in the 1960s, the Internet has been the result of international collaboration between academics. The World Wide Web was not invented by Microsoft or IBM but by a young researcher at the European Organization for Nuclear Research, CERN, in Geneva, an academic research institution. Let’s not forget some real heroes of the information revolution, the academics who laid the foundations that Internet companies are building on today. The lesson we can draw from their success is that industry and academia play complementary roles in the process of innovation. Luciano Maiani Geneva, Switzerland
Heroism in East Timor
I would like to congratulate Ron Moreau on the excellent coverage of East Timor ("‘You Can’t Run, You Can’t Hide’," Asia, Oct. 4). I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Sander Thoenes, the Dutch journalist of the Financial Times who was executed by soldiers of the Indonesian Army in Becora. I strongly condemn this senseless murder and urge the international community to demand that the responsible persons–as well as the militamen who have tortured and killed unarmed civilians–be brought to justice. I also congratulate Kofi Annan and the United Nations for speeding up the arrival of the Interfet led by the Australian troops. They have saved and protected–and are still doing so–many East Timorese. Their act is truly heroic. I sincerely hope peace will prevail for the East Timorese. K. S. Roy Buenos Aires, Argentina
Defending Diana
There are kinder ways to say someone is not exactly a rocket scientist. Laura Shapiro’s repeated use of the word “dimwit” to describe Princess Diana is insensitive and tactless (“Sad As She Wants to Be,” Society & the Arts, Aug. 23). Those of us who unfortunately never even saw Diana’s shadow felt affection and sympathy for the princess. One can easily sense Shapiro’s strong dislike for the subject. If Diana was as mentally ill as author Sally Bedell Smith asserts, she was made so by the cruelty of Charles and his allies. Let the lady rest in peace. Elam G. Sexon Manila, Philippines
