February/March 1996, Pages 3, 98-102

Letters to the Editor

Letters to the editor are selected, edited and abridged on the basis of relevance, accuracy, taste and available space. The editors do not have facilities to respond to individual letters, or to clear in advance published letters, as edited, with the writers.

Billions of Dollars Ripped Off

The Washington Report is, in my view, the best and most informative publication in the U.S. I am particularly interested in how a small country, as is Israel, is getting away with ripping off billions of dollars from American taxpayers. I will be running for the U.S. House of Representatives in 1996. The Israeli rip-off will be the top priority issue for me in Congress. The knowledge that I have acquired, by reading the Washington Report these past years, has given me an excellent view on international affairs, which I feel will give me a definite advantage over the other candidates. Thank you for what you are doing for our country!

Thomas K. Shannon, Salinas, CA

Why Not Just Black and White?

The Washington Report is unique--in its approach, its scope (topical and geographical), its focus on the issues, its insights and knowledgeability, its commitment, its fairness and integrity. I have every issue on my bookshelf, and I use it and cite it in my writing and lectures. I have profound respect and admiration for the publisher, executive editor, and several writers whom I have long known personally. May the WRMEA not only endure but prevail!

I wonder, however, if so many color pages are worth the costs. I'd rather see black and white plates than lots of color photos and have you go bankrupt!

Prof. Colbert C. Held, Waco, TX

Kind words from a distinguished veteran of both the foreign service and academia like you help keep us going. Your question is a good one. We hope the extra costs of color pages get us better placement on newsstands and in libraries, which are prime sources of new subscribers, along with gift subscriptions from loyal readers like you. Our policy on such gift subscriptions is, after 12 months, to send the renewal notice to the recipient rather than the donor, freeing you to look for new recipients of gift subscriptions the following year. Thanks for your encouragement and for the gift subscriptions.

Your Coverage is Fair

I just want to thank you for your publication. It is the only one that keeps me informed and in touch with what is going on in the Middle East. I can read it knowing that the coverage is fair. Keep up the good work.

Jumana Nabali, San Diego, CA

Your Voice in the Wilderness

Your publisher, the American Educational Trust, is the voice crying in the wilderness. Is it heard? Yes. Is it effectively heeded? Perhaps, eventually.

I have always, since 1943, been inclined to the view that the Jewish state that became Israel would destroy itself: unfortunately causing much grief to others until the inevitability is sustained.

The Zionists' hope "to prevail by putting Islamic fundamentalism at the throat of decadent Christianity" will not be realized, just as Leninism eventually failed.

John Lawrence, Trenton, MI

Many Hours of Insight

Please forgive me that I do not find myself in a position to make a donation to your invaluable publication this year, but remain assured that as soon as Allah wills and my financial situation changes for the better, I will think of you and the many hours of insight you provide me through the Report.

At this time, I would like to wish your staff and their families a very safe and enjoyable holiday season, all the best, and with the following thought:

Together, we will let the voice of truth be heard and it shall sing as loud as the trumpets of Jericho, and that same truth shall set free all those who accept it and welcome it into their emboldened hearts, for it is a truth that will rend asunder all the foundation of lies that for years has become accepted in the eyes of many as the only truth. This is my Christmas wish and New Year's resolution, that not only my life, but that of all humankind, shall be liberated by truth and truth alone.

Mohamed Mikeal Hammoud, St. Thomas, Ontario, Canada

Classy and Truthful

Yours is the classiest, most provocative, most truthful, and best buy for the money of any magazine I have ever subscribed to. I agree with you on practically everything and disagree with you on virtually nothing. Keep up the good work.

Robert Schwarz, Altoona, WI

We Appreciate Your Efforts

Our donation is made on behalf of both my husband and myself, in appreciation of your efforts in promoting a more fair and just U.S. Middle East policy, and to ensure continuing the publication of the Washington Report--the only voice in the wilderness of media bias.

Permission is granted to publish both of our names in hopes it will serve as an incentive to other ARAMCO annuitants also to contribute to AET support.

Carter and Beverly Swartz, Sarasota, FL

U.S. Interests in the Middle East

Other resources do not provide me with an alternative point of view, particularly regarding U.S. political interests in the Middle East.

For a country that prides itself on providing information--much of that information is not always accurate. Your magazine is a breath of fresh air. Thanks.

Farida Sweery, Charlotte, NC

Providing Information

You stand alone in providing information as to what goes on in Washington regarding the Middle East.

Name Withheld

You're right, and frankly we sometimes feel lonely until we start going through the mail and find a lot of journalists who wish they had our freedom to call things the way we see them.

I'll Help to Spread the Word

I am in receipt of your recent appeal for donations and have forwarded its copies to my friends in New Jersey asking for donations on behalf of the Washington Report. I would also like to subscribe to the Washington Report for three friends of mine (addresses enclosed), two of whom will be running for Congress in 1996 from the 3rd district of New Jersey. Kindly send them each a free copy of the book Assault on the Liberty and charge $57 for the three donated subscriptions to my American Express account.

As you are aware, I am a staunch supporter of your efforts to educate and inform the American public about facts concerning the United States' Middle East policy. It is not an easy job by any standards because of the clearly biased and pro-Israel media. The job requires an enormous amount of resources, commitment and courage considering the well organized efforts to put out misinformation and the existence of the most-feared Israeli lobby. I have no doubt that you deserve an A-plus for your efforts so far. I for one was never so well informed of the facts before I started reading the Washington Report and can't imagine having to live without this fine magazine.

May I suggest that you consider (1) increasing the number of issues to 12-a-year; and (2) increasing the annual subscription to $25? While this increase might result in cancellation of a few subscriptions, I am certain that the majority of your readers will gladly pay the small additional amount.

Waheed Khalid, Ouro Preto, Brazil

We're planning to follow your second piece of advice, starting with our next issue. The first is harder because until we develop some staff redundancy it would mean our editors no longer could travel to the Middle East and still be around to put out each issue. (At present our executive editor goes three or four times a year.) However, with supporters like you we'll someday get there. Thanks.

A Belief in Brotherhood is Lacking

This is a difficult letter to write but I feel you should have a reply to your request.

We have tried for more than half a century to promote peace in the Middle East without success. Isn't it time to try a new tack?

Brotherhood is the warp and weft of peace, but Israel doesn't believe in brotherhood. So why do we continue to give them our time? We are working at cross purposes. This is not productive. Our doting attitude is not appropriate.

E.K.S. Judge, Arnold, MD

Ignorance About Mideastern Christians

I am a student at the University of Michigan. Recently I had to write a term paper on American public opinion toward the Middle East. Of course one of my main sources was the Washington Report.

I would like to see more articles about Christianity in the Middle East, because not many in this country know that there are Christian Arabs.

Finally, I want to make a comment about your Dec. 1995 issue. In "Letter from Lebanon," you refer to the head of the Maronite Church as Monsignor. I think the term Cardinal or Patriarch would be better.

Nijad Mehanna, Dearborn, MI

Thanks for the kind words and for setting us straight. We'll make the change in the disk now in preparation that will contain all of our past issues and also make them available through our web site on the Internet.

Middle East Peace is Just a Beginning

Moved by a deep and long-term concern for the Jewish and Arab people, I have prepared the enclosed papers in an effort to help. I hope you will read them thoughtfully and consider what use can be made of them. Perhaps you can suggest persons or organizations to whom I should send them.

Peace should not be considered a final goal but rather a necessary step in dealing with the profound social, economic and ecological problems of the Middle East.

For example, in 1950, when I was an administrator of Arab relief in the Gaza Strip, the population there included 70,000 native inhabitants plus 200,000 refugees. Today the population in the Gaza Strip totals over 800,000. In the surrounding nations, too, the population has more than doubled, and the explosion goes on apace. Water and arable land are limited. Economic problems grow and poverty multiplies.

Peace is necessary, but is just a beginning. What is called for is a close-knit community of nations, working together as a team. Failing in this, the Middle East faces disaster.

I hope you will use your influence to help bring about this desperately needed community of nations.

Ernest Morgan, Burnsville, NC

P.S. You've touched a lot of lives and made a lot of friends over the years. We're all pulling for you now.

We are publishing one of the two papers you enclosed as a "Point of View" on page 45 of this issue.

Uncensored Reporting

I like the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs because I get more uncensored and unbiased reporting--in other words, unslanted news.

Crystal English, Portland, OR

Cut the Emphasis

You are providing important information, but let the facts speak for themselves. There is too much zealotry in your presentation.

I agree with you on the need to cut U.S. aid to Israel and Egypt. I disagree with you when you are too "preachy" on the Israel-Palestinian issue. You're not giving us enough of both sides of the story on Arab mistreatment of other ethnic groups.

Angela Dickey, Arlington, VA

You Have Courage

Your magazine is very informative and addresses issues of concern to me. You provide a voice of courage and reason that is needed to balance the tide of stereotyping and disinformation.

Eid B. Mustafa, Wichita Falls, TX

Overlapping and Overkill

My interests pretty well cover the spectrum. However, there is a lot of overlapping in your publication and perhaps some overkill on the subject of Israel and surrounding issues. In other words, there is some overload in some areas and under-reportage in some of the pivotal nations and issues in the Middle East such as Algeria, Turkey, Iran and Kashmir.

I agree with you on most issues, but I think you need to be more even-handed on Iran.

Cleve D. Shearer, Bonners Ferry, ID

A Request for Stamps

I saw in the March issue of the Washington Report that the Palestinian National Authority has issued some stamps. Two were illustrated. If possible, would you please send me one of each. My daughter is a stamp collector and she would like to have one each of all their stamps.

I would gladly pay for them if you would let me know the cost.

You have a great magazine. Keep up the good work. I always look forward to the next issue.

Ray F. Dively, Baden, PA

By the time you read this you will have received one Palestinian five-mil stamp affixed to our annual fund-raising letter to subscribers. It is the only stamp we have received. We'll try to report in our next issue on PNA plans for future issues. (The PNA is banned under the Oslo agreement from issuing its own currency, although under the British Mandate there were Palestinian banknotes, coins and postage stamps.)

You're the Palestinian Voice

You provide a great service. The Palestinians need a voice in the United States and you're it! It must be that reason will one day prevail and you will have accelerated its return to U.S. Middle East policy.

Tom Velela, Washington, DC

The Cranbrook Good Guys

I was recently privileged to be one of two discussants at a presentation by Dr. Hanan Ashrawi in Detroit. The occasion was the annual dinner of the Cranbrook Peace Foundation, a local group of good guys who run various programs. They bring in a famous person once a year to speak to their members and to the general public. There were about 800 present. In the past they have brought in Nobel Prize winners Oscar Arias and Elie Wiesel. This year, the speaker was Hanan Ashrawi. One of the discussants was Jeff Kaye, an Israeli on a three-year assignment in Detroit to facilitate cooperative cultural exchanges with the Jewish community. He is a high school principal who is a strong supporter of the peace process. He presented a moving personal perspective. I was the other discussant, chosen because I am neither Israeli nor Palestinian, and because I could bring an American academic perspective.

Enclosed are my comments. I don't know if they would be of use to WRMEA or not. Keep up the good work.

Ron Stockton, Dearborn, MI

You will find your wise, dispassionate and eloquent remarks on p. 24 of this issue. We would guess you will be invited to participate in many more such discussions.

Retirees Speak Up

You do great work. We are retired and living on a fixed and limited income, hence cannot afford gift subscriptions. We're renewing ours, however.

Elizabeth Bernstein, Paradise, CA

With a slight increase in subscription prices scheduled for this spring, we are a bit worried about long-time subscribers for whom the jump from $19 to $25 might be a problem. If it is, call our circulation department.

An "Accidental" Attack on USS Liberty

As the enclosed article in the International Journal of Intelligence and Counter-Intelligence shows, Mr. David Rodman, a university professor in New York, would have liked for everyone to believe that the attack on the Liberty was an accident. His attempt backfired.

I wrote the article in response to Rodman's book review--as opposed to a full-length piece--but the publisher chose to present it as a main feature. If I had known he was going to do that, I'd have put in one or two thousand more words.

The piece will soon be in cyberspace ( USS Liberty web page). Because Israel's loyalists will be calling me a liar and an "anti-Semite," I'll be getting "on line" so that I can enjoy their reaction.

If you all have a Web Page and would like a disc, I'll gladly send you one. You can also simply refer your readers to Jim Ennes's web page--it has 2,500 pages of information.

Reverdy S. Fishel, Arlington, VA

We're happy you didn't add one or two thousand more words because in its present compact form your article fits into our expanded "Other Voices" section. We will request permission from the IJIC to reprint it in our April issue. Washington Report readers interested in learning more about the IJIC, a quarterly whose subscription price is $45 for individuals and $75 for institutions, may contact the Journal c/o Intel Publishing Group, Inc., Box 188, Stroudsburg, PA 18360. Jim Ennes' award-winning USS Liberty web site may be found at http://www.halcyon.com/jim/ussliberty

Non-Arabs Must Speak Up

I have lived in this area for 30 years and, if you keep past files, you will see my enthusiastic letter to Ambassador Killgore and USIS's Richard Curtiss when they started the Washington Report in its early newsletter format several years ago. I have subscribed to the Report ever since and donated it to as many of my friends as I can think of so, as usual now, my contribution is to be used where you feel it will be most effective.

It is extremely important, in my opinion, that non-Arabs speak up for the Palestinian cause and that the extent of U.S. support for Israel is revealed to the American people. I wish flyers could be sent into each and every American home at this time when so many Americans are hurting economically!

I am strongly against the Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty. It is a complete sell-out to Israel. I am also against the current U.S. interference here in the Middle East on all fronts and am extremely suspicious whenever a new conflict arises between countries around us. I am of American nationality but ashamed of being an American here in the Middle East. I understand why they feel they have to barricade themselves in their embassies, consulates and compounds.

I am happy to see more and more people are becoming involved in the Washington Report and that most of them are non-Arabs and some of them are Jews. Hopefully more and more influential Arabs will become involved in the political arena and will be heard on U.S. campuses and elsewhere.

As I know you are aware, Khaled al Maeena is the most articulate and well-informed voice in the English-language local press on Palestine, Bosnia and most other issues which ought to be the concern of all fair-minded human beings.

I am originally from Norway, a country which sponsors Israel, at least in the recent past, on purely fundamentalist religious grounds! I might suggest that you try to give subscriptions to Norwegian key reporters. Perhaps Gro Brundtland could benefit from a year's subscription to the Washington Report.

With my sincere appreciation for your efforts and best wishes,

Else Rennes Bogary, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

We have trouble getting the Arab News, which carries Khaled al Maeena's weekly column, in Washington but, as you know, we do frequently select one of his columns for inclusion in our "Other Voices" section. We'll use part of your donation to the American Educational Trust for a subscription for Prime Minister Gro Brundtland.

Indecipherable Rubbish

The Washington Report on Middle East Affairs is perhaps the only tool available to me with in-depth coverage that allows me to make up my mind on what to do. Without your facts and interpretations everything else available to me is indecipherable rubbish.

Name Withheld

Anger, Frustration and Pain

Anger, frustration, pain! That's just how I felt when I found out about yet another House Report (104-295) that was being attached to the Fiscal 1996 Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (HR1868).

Within these documents there is an act entitled "Middle East Peace Facilitation Act of 1995." There are seven pages. The Sense of Congress section is really upsetting. Section 603 states that the PLO must do far more to demonstrate an irrevocable denunciation of terrorism and ensure a peaceful settlement of the Middle East dispute. This is just one condition. There are a whole series of others in order to receive United States financial assistance which is standard for any recipient. I assure you that there are no such conditions imposed on the Israelis. Section 603.2 goes on to mention that since the Declaration of Principles was signed, violence has caused the deaths of over 140 Israeli and U.S. citizens. I could not believe the gall of this factoid. If we want to play the numbers game, the Palestinians have witnessed close to 225 deaths at the hands of the IDF et al. during the same time period.

It is clear to me that the lobbyists got to our elected officials once again.

Robert J. Pisapia, Westlake Village, CA

What is even weirder is that the lobbyists who got to our elected officials ostensibly represented Israel's opposition Likud party. Yet somehow AIPAC, which totally controls the votes on Middle East affairs of perhaps 90 percent of the members of both houses, and which supposedly represents any elected government of Israel, doesn't seem able to rein in the Likud lobby. Maybe, to reposition itself for a Likud victory in November 1996, AIPAC isn't trying very hard. Or maybe the Labor government of Israel doesn't really care that much about whether the Palestinians get their agreed pittance, so long as Congress goes on appropriating Zillions for Zionists.

U.S. Policies Far From Rosy

The Washington Report gives me a sense of the views of the non-Zionist American establishment on Middle East-related issues. It is an excellent alternative media to the rubbish they call mainstream.

However, I often think the publishers are too eager to put a rosy face on U.S. policies, which are as bad as ever, as far as the masses in the Middle East are concerned.

In general I agree with you on exposing the Zionist lobby's control of Congress. I disagree with you on unsupported optimism.

Raif Hijab, Berkeley, CA

Actually, there are times when we agree with you on both counts.

Arabs Should Be More Aggressive

I regret to say that the Arab community (publications included) don't seem to take the offensive to present the truth about Arabs/Islam, e.g. (1) the fact that when Jews were being persecuted by Christians (which they were, constantly) the Jews found homes in Islamic countries; and (2) the myth that Arab-Jewish enmity has existed for centuries.

I agree with your policy of having diaspora and Israeli Jews contribute articles.

Nabih J. Sarkes, Fayetteville, NC

Fungible U.S. Funds for Israel Factory

Intel is soon to build a huge plant in Israel and the Israeli government has pledged to contribute $400 million toward the construction costs. Money being fungible, why is the American taxpayer borrowing $3 billion plus, annually, in order to provide the money as an annual gift to Israel? Not only are we not benefiting from the jobs and tax revenue from Intel, which is taking advantage of this situation, but our taxes are paying for the project.

That isn't my only gripe. Americans who make contributions to Israeli causes receive a tax deduction. This is a unique benefit not granted to other citizens willing to make donations to their favorite foreign nation or cause.

Then there is this unsettling revelation on C-SPAN last fall by ex-Mossad officer and best-selling author of By Way of Deception Victor Ostrovsky. He stated that Israeli goods and products are shipped to the United States tariff free; a unique arrangement through Israel's sayanim and Zionists in Congress. This has converted Israeli shippers into distribution, repackaging and relabeling centers for huge amounts of Russian, European and Third World products--re-exported to the U.S. under Israeli labels. Again, the U.S. Treasury is denied hundreds of millions in lost import duties and fees at the expense of the American taxpayer.

Given Zionism's influence on the media, I assume the Washington Report is the only vehicle for this complaint.

Joseph H. Kress, Lt. Col. USAF (Ret.), Summerville, SC

Unfortunately, your assumption seems to be correct. For new readers, because Israel has free-trade arrangements with both the U.S. and with the European Union and other countries, it can "springboard" products made in one area into the other while circumventing customs duties both ways. The tax deductions are possible because of a unique law that grants U.S. tax-exempt status to all Israeli organizations that have Israeli tax-exempt status. These are just additional ways to extort more benefits from the U.S. Treasury for Israel, which in addition to all of this now receives more than one-third of the U.S. world-wide foreign aid budget, plus $2 billion in U.S. government loan guarantees annually. As a result of all these "entitlements" at the expense of U.S. taxpayers, Israeli government sources believe Israeli per capita income now approaches and may soon exceed U.S. per capita income.

"And For What?"

"And for what?" I quote the closing line from an article by noted columnist Anthony Lewis in a recent issue of your magazine. Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, who lived by the gun, died by the gun. His goal was to drive out the Palestinian people at any cost: Breaking bones, subjecting these people to inhuman indignities while hiding behind the religious edict of the highest power.

And for what? Golda Meir suggested that all of Palestine was a land without people and the Jews were a people without a land. God willing this could be resolved. But the tenacity of the Palestinians had not been fully measured. At this writing the road back to civility is well on its way and the 50 or more years of the occupation and subjugation are nearing an end.

Now, I ask God, and for what?

To help it all come true, I send a donation.

Elmer V. Mayer, Heber Springs, AR

Brzezinski's Reminiscence

On the day after the Rabin assassination, CNN had an interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski, National Security Council chief under President Jimmy Carter, for memories of Rabin. He told of suggesting to Mr. Rabin after the Camp David Accords in 1978 that it would be a good time to make an offer of land for peace to the Palestinians. Mr. Rabin said that he felt the Palestinians needed another 20 years first to be shown who was in control.

It is ironic that Rabin, who came to recognize the importance of negotiated settlement so recently, is commonly regarded as the man of peace, while Arafat, who recognized that about 20 years ago, is not!

Karin Brothers, Toronto, Canada

Rabin, the "Peacemaker"

Last month we all read, watched and heard much about Yitzhak Rabin. We were told hundreds of times that he was a hero, a peacemaker, a noble and righteous man. However, as a Palestinian, I would like to say that I have a totally different image of Mr. Rabin, and I believe that I have the obligation to let my opinion be known.

I first would like to make it clear that I am against the killing of someone over his or her opinions. I truly believe that dialogue and discussion are the proper channels for people to voice their opposition and disagreements with each other. However, what disturbed me the most about the media coverage of the Rabin assassination is the untrue image it generated of him.

I grew up in Palestine, where I spent most of my life under Israeli occupation and control. When I think of Mr. Rabin I always think of the man who started his military career with both the Haganah and the Palmach terrorist groups which oftentimes entered Palestinian villages and terrorized unarmed civilians. In one such attack on the village of Deir Yassin, near Jerusalem, the groups killed most residents of the village, including elders, men, women, children, and even unborn babies inside the wombs of their mothers. This incident was fortunately reported by an international observer who was in the area; otherwise it would have gone untold like many other Israeli massacres. Sadly enough, in its coverage of the prime minister's assassination, the media referred to his unholy involvement with the Haganah and the Palmach as a positive contribution for the liberation of the Jewish people. I honestly wonder about the type of liberation this was?

When I think of Rabin, I think of all of the power and freedom which has been enjoyed by the extremist West Bank settlers who have always gone around the holy land killing innocent Palestinian men and women, and in some cases children under the age of five. Under Rabin's government the Israeli settlers, especially in Hebron, have constantly gotten away with their murders without being punished or put to trial for their evil actions. It is only now, after murdering their leader, that a few of them are being interrogated and put in prison.

When I think of Rabin, I think of the Israeli leader who up to the moment he died insisted on continuing the imprisonment and the torture of thousands of Palestinian men inside the Israeli jails. In many instances, Rabin was the main figure who refused the release of innocent prisoners; especially the ones who opposed the Israeli/PLO agreement.

Less than a week before Rabin was killed, Fathi Shakaki, a Palestinian figure, was assassinated by, according to some foreign reports, what could have been the Israeli intelligence. When Rabin received the news of Shakaki's death, he said: "If it was indeed [Shakaki] who was killed, I certainly won't be sorry about it." At this moment, similar to Mr. Rabin's comment about Mr. Shakaki, I would like to say that Mr. Rabin will not be missed by me or by the majority of my people. We have only lost one of our oppressors.

Omar Imam, Columbus, OH

We hesitate to add anything to the reports of an eyewitness to such events in a demonstrably terroristic occupation which has ignored the Fourth Geneva Convention and other provisions of international law to which Israel is a party. However, the conventional wisdom on the attack on Deir Yassin is that it was planned and initiated by two Jewish underground groups: Menachem Begin's Irgun Zvai Leumi, and Lehi (the "Stern gang"), one of whose three commanders was Yitzhak Shamir. The role of Haganah in the attack, as we understand it, was to provide artillery cover. Whether there is a qualitative difference between lining up and shooting or knifing to death men, women and children in and near their homes, as did Begin's and Shamir's subordinates, or blowing them to bits in their homes from afar as did Rabin's comrades, we don't know. Quantitatively, it was all the same, a lot of dead bodies which the perpetrators tried to hide not by burying them (too many) but by dousing them with gasoline and setting them afire, where they continued to smoulder long enough to be seen by eyewitness survivors and international observers. We must also add that Fathi Shakaki was the leader of Islamic Jihad, suspected of engineering bombings of civilian buses in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, therefore neither better nor worse than Begin or Shamir. The only difference is that Shakaki was assassinated (obviously on Rabin's orders), Begin died in his bed and Shamir remains active in his political party, Likud.

Newt Gingrich: Misinformed Or Misleading America?

True or false? Of the 184 U.S. embassies located in various countries, only the U.S. embassy in Israel is not located in the country's capital.

If you answered true, you're wrong. But don't feel bad. House Speaker Newt Gingrich failed this test too, if a recent statement he made indicates his knowledge of the subject.

The facts are that there are seven countries in which the U.S. embassies are not located in their capital cities. Israel is not one of them. They are:

The case of Israel's capital is a special one. Although the Israeli parliament in 1950 declared Jerusalem its capital, it did so in defiance of U.N. Resolution 181 (recommending a partition plan for Palestine). Not only that, the decision also reneged on a 1949 pledge not to have sovereignty over any part of Jerusalem Israel made to the U.N. General Assembly--an assurance given to meet the Assembly's condition for Israel's acceptance as a U.N. member.

An overwhelming majority of the international community, including the United States, have not recognized Israel's unilateral action.

That is why, in Israel, the embassies of the U.S. and all other countries, except for El Salvador, Costa Rica and Zaire, are located in Tel Aviv.

The question becomes why isn't Mr. Gingrich better informed on this subject? Has he been lied to, or is he deliberately trying to deceive the American people?

Let us give him the benefit of the doubt.

That is why I would urge the speaker's staff to help him become better informed by using the State Department's list of Key Officers and Foreign Service Posts for embassy locations and comparing those cities with the capitals listed in the Independent States and Dependencies Fact Sheet issued by the State Department's geographer.

Both documents are available to the "Third Wave" speaker and all others from gopher://dosfan.lib.uic.edu, the World Wide Web site http://dosfan.lib.uic.edu/dosfan.html, or at most local libraries.

Issam M. Nashashibi, Newport Beach, CA

Incorrectly Named

The caption on page 11 in your December 1995 issue is in error. I've met Hanna Siniora. He is the man standing, with glasses.

An Iran-born acquaintance has alleged to me that the People's Mojahedin are Islamic Marxists who are under the influence of Saddam Hussain and will impose tyranny upon Iran. Whenever 100 congressmen endorse a group, my eyebrows rise.

Finally, a lawyer friend represents an Israeli Jew here who resists return to Israel on grounds that she will be denied freedom as a practicing Buddhist. Do you know of a useful precedent or the address of Attorney Linda Brayer, a South African-Israeli convert to Catholicism?

Anthony Saidy, Los Angeles, CA

We don't know the answers on Jewish Israelis who convert to another religion so we have sent you separately Linda Brayer's phone and fax numbers. Perhaps someone who knows more about the subject would like to do an article for us.

We stand corrected on Hanna Siniora and are doubly chagrined because we've met him too. Finally, we have no vested interest in any particular faction in Iran's political spectrum. If the People's Mojahedin gets a larger share of our space than others, it's because it does more, far more, than others. From our Washington, DC perspective it seems, literally, to be the only organized opposition group that actually has members. Other resistance organizations seem to have leaders but no rank-and-file followers. We're willing to stand corrected, but we've been scanning the horizon, in vain, for more than a decade.

Is Maryam Rajavi the Only Solution?

I wrote to thank you for your article revealing the facts about the National Council of Resistance of Iran [Washington Report editor's note: The People's Mojahedin of Iran is the major component of the National Council of Resistance] and its president, Mrs. Maryam Rajavi.

As an Iranian professional and business owner in the United States, my greatest wish, like millions of Iranians around the world, is to see freedom and democracy established in Iran. After many years of research and observation, like many Iranians, I have come to the conclusion that the National Council of Resistance, with its elected president, Maryam Rajavi, is the only solution to end the shameless dictatorship of mullahs' rule in Iran. I commend your executive editor and the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs for taking a step in writing the truth about Iranian people and their hopes.

Hopefully, with more insightful articles like yours, people as well as leaders in the Western world will realize the true dynamics of Iranian culture and the best of its achievement. Mrs. Rajavi has joined the resistance against the most brutal regime in the history of mankind.

Jalal Arani, Annandale, VA

The Iran Trade Embargo

Keep up your great magazine and don't change a thing.

I get angry with the Israeli lobby in Washington, e.g: the Iran trade embargo, the U.N. sanctions on Iraq and the settlements being increased on confiscated land.

Nick Vangelis, Chicago, IL

Keep Up Your Endeavors

Your excellent efforts do keep me informed. Best wishes to you in your endeavors.

Fuad Boali, Bowling Green, KY

A Cover-to-Cover Reader

The Washington Report is a wonderful source of information about what is going on in Israel/Palestine. I read it from from cover to cover.

Louise Green, St. Louis, MO

We fear that as the magazine gets larger, that may be harder to do. Anyway, we promise not to give our cover-to-cover readers pop quizzes.

To Put it Simply

Simply put, yours is the only publication I have come across that deals with the Israeli-Palestinian issue in a comprehensive and fair manner. Most major newspapers and other publications are so emphatically pro-Israeli or too scared to upset American Jews and be called "anti-Semitic." Although to most Americans a lot of what you discuss may just not be interesting, as an American who has traveled and lived in the Middle East, it is to me.

Richard Makdisi, Berkeley, CA

Your Writers Inspire Me

The Washington Report provides a unique forum for dispensing the wisdom of Andrew Killgore, Richard Curtiss, Alfred Lilienthal, Israel Shahak, Grace Halsell, Paul Findley and many others. It is an inspiration (and a challenge) to read accounts by experienced persons who have dedicated their lives to truth and justice. Thank God for each of you.

Linda Long, Mount Crawford, VA

I Want to Help

I appreciate your information about congressional and White House Mideast involvement. I would like to donate to Palestinian causes. Would you list responsible agencies that handle donations?

Dr. Robert J. Fritz, Schenectady, NY

We do carry advertisements for some of those agencies and we don't accept such advertising unless we believe that the money is being used as depicted. However, we'll try to put together an article giving an overview of such groups, and what each of them does. Thanks for the suggestion.

Your Focus is Significant

I can assure you that the Washington Report is the most significant reading material in my present life. Without it I'd feel hopeless, without focus and depressed. If you ask me, I would like a 148-page issue 12 times a year, and at a higher rate, perhaps $30. Keep up the good work and may god bless you all!

Mohamed Aslam, The Colony, TX

This issue is our first at 140 pages, and we plan to raise the annual subscription rate to $25 in April. But then we'll hold for a while and get used to the new workload while our subscribers get used to the $6 increase. Gift subscriptions we'll hold at $20.

My Faith is Preserved

The Washington Report is invaluable in preserving my faith in the existence of justice. I agree with you on virtually everything.

Marietta H. Sharp, Washington, DC

Thanks for the Truth

Thank you for giving us the truth on the Middle East situation. Thank you for exposing the cost to U.S. taxpayers of the blind support of Israel's disregard for international law; Israel's total disregard for the human rights of non-Jews in the Holy Land; and the frightening control of our government by Zionism and the Israeli PACs.

Name withheld, Milwaukee, WI

Connecting Readers to Groups

The best thing about the Washington Report for me is that it connected me to the world of Muslim and Arab-American activists. I found out about all kinds of groups, resources and activities of which I otherwise wouldn't have been aware.

E. Fadali, Reno, NV