Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, April/May 1999, pages 3, 97-100

Letters to the Editor

Australian Greetings

Your new Web site is great. Thanks for the effort. You provide a most valuable international resource.

Long may you continue and grow ever bigger. Regards from Australia,

Bilal Cleland, via e-mail

We think it’s great as well, thanks to Web site designer Shawn Twing. And, according to Direct Hit Company, ours now is the second most visited Middle East Web site in the world. First is ArabNet, an umbrella Web site comprising hundreds of other Web sites, but even if we’re outnumbered several hundred to one, we’re still aiming to be the top stop for authoritative, professionally prepared and carefully documented information on the world’s Muslim countries and their regional neighbors, and North American developments related to the region, especially the Israeli-Palestinian dispute. See for yourself at http://www.Washington-report.org/

El Shifa Soil Tests Still Classified

There is almost certainly going to be an international row over the U.S. cruise missile attack on the El Shifa pharmaceutical plant now that Salah Idris, the owner of the plant, has filed suit to free his assets frozen by the U.S. I think that the accompanying extract from the Chemical and Engineering News, a publication of the American Chemical Society, may be helpful background for you. It gives the technical details in simple language of the chemical studies that disprove the presence of precursors of the nerve gas VX in the soil or elsewhere in the plant. As you know, the U.S. government has not yet declassified the soil tests that it claims justified the bombing of the plant.

Frank Collins, Woodbridge, VA

Another Voice in the Chorus

I agree with most of what I read in your publication which, of course, subjects me to constant accusations of being a “self-hating Jew.” Alas, the price one must pay for adhering to the spirit of Hillel. I can only hope and pray more opinions are changed before more damage is done to the people (i.e. Palestinians) suffering so from the unthinking and unexamined bias of the American public.

Keep up the good work.

Jeff Abrams, New York City, NY

Wasting No Time

For some unknown reason I was sent a membership card in B’nai B’rith (with a request for money). So I wasted some time writing this letter to Dr. Clearfield, the “International Director.”

John S O’Connor, Seattle, WA

We included your response to B’nai B’rith in this issue’s “Other People’s Mail,” starting on p. 90. You returned your card but we kept ours. It’s interesting to learn that we are part of B’nai B’rith’s 350,000 members, or whatever the number of unsolicited membership cards they mail to people whose names appear on lists of subscribers to Jewish publications. Similarly one of our volunteers apparently has become a “member” of AIPAC by virtue of subscribing to its semi-monthly Near East Report to see what it says about us. If that’s how AIPAC has reached a claimed “membership” of between 40,000 and 50,000, it makes us even more skeptical that much of tiny AIPAC’s huge $13 to $15 million budget comes from American sources. We’ll never know, however, until the Federal Election Commission obeys its own rules and makes this group that lobbies for a foreign country open its books to public scrutiny.

Demonstrating Biased Policy

Milton J. Stickles’ letter to The Washington Post that was reprinted in the Jan./Feb. 1999 issue of the Washington Report was well-written and covered many cogent points and truths.

I would like to add my own account of two recent events in which our government was involved and which demonstrate biased U.S. policies for return of expropriated property. In early December the Washington Conference on Holocaust-Era Assets was held and chaired by Judge Abner Mikva. In Judge Mikva’s concluding remarks on Dec. 3, 1998 he said, “In her remarkable keynote address on Tuesday morning Secretary of State Albright displayed a frankness and openness that set the tone for the entire conference. She called on our nations ‘to chart a course for finishing the job of returning or providing compensation for stolen Holocaust assets to survivors and the families of Holocaust victims.’” This is a hot topic and there isn’t a day that goes by without some reference to it in the Israeli press.

Three weeks before this conference the United Nations General Assembly met and voted on 12 texts (GA/SPD/154). The texts addressed Palestinian issues associated with the Peace Process, Displaced Persons, UNRWA Operations and the Geneva Convention. Text IV addressed Palestinian refugees, property and their income. The Assembly reaffirmed that “the Palestinian refugees are entitled to their property and to income derived thereof, in conformity with the principles of justice and equity.” The vote on Text V was 123 in favor and 2 against (Israel, the United States).

This vote displays hypocrisy because for 50 years the United States has denied the property rights of the Palestinians. Yet we host a conference with government officials (Secretary of State Albright, Judge Abner Mikva, Under Secretary of State for Economic, Business and Agricultural Affairs Stuart Eizenstat, the New York Federal Reserve president and Congressmen Leach and Gilman) participating. Why? Is it motivated by the fear of the “lobby” and the negative press that would surface if the United States did not stand behind the efforts to retrieve Holocaust-era assets?

You have heard of U.N. resolutions requiring the Iraqi government to pay war reparations to Kuwait for seized and damaged property during occupation. The money is deducted by the U.N. from the oil sales program. Yet, one of the oldest recognized sagas continues unresolved. Israel’s violation of Palestinian property rights breach not only U.N. resolutions (Resolution of 181 II of the General Assembly, Nov. 29, 1947), but breach Articles 46 and 48 of the Hague Regulations which stipulate that private enemy property may not be confiscated, and pillage is formally prohibited. This is also codified in international law: “Immovable private enemy property may under no circumstances or conditions be appropriated by an invading belligerent. Should he confiscate and sell private land or buildings, the buyer would acquire no right whatsoever to the property.”¹ This was written 47 years ago.

I believe in justice for all parties who witnessed loss of property. You cannot seek justice for one and not the other. I conclude with Madeleine Albright’s own words on the matter of property rights. “We have the power of reason and can separate right from wrong.” I am still waiting for our government to make a “separation.”

1Oppenheimer, International Law, 7th ed., Vol. II, p. 403, Longman. London, 1952,

Robert J. Pisapia, Westlake Village, CA

The Jacirs of Bethlehem

Keep up the great work. You all are doing a wonderful job. I noticed a typo in the Special Report (“Countdown to Bethlehem 2000 Has International Local Project Managers...”) for the Jan./Feb. issue and wanted to alert you to it. I was very happy to see my hometown featured and a discussion of the plans for Bethlehem 2000. One thing, however, is that you have misspelled the family name of “Jacir” in the article. On p. 30, Sr. Elaine Kelly mentions the “historic Jasser palace” which will now be the Inter-Continental Hotel (to be finished by the celebrations). The Jacirs of Bethlehem spell their name J-A-C-I-R (albeit phonetic) and the name Jacir is carved into the column at the gate of the home/hotel. The Jassers are another family and have no relationship to the Bethlehem Jacirs mentioned in the article. I would appreciate it if you could make the correction. Thank you so much. Again, keep up the wonderful and important work.

Nadia Jacir, via e-mail

Oops! An Omitted Letter

I am pleased that you incorporated the postcards in the March, 1999 issue. I have sent them to my senators and congresswoman.

Although you printed my letter concerning the letters/cards on pp. 93-4, you did not print my letter to the Albuquerque Journal which you said in your answer (p. 94) that you printed in “Other People’s Mail.” Maybe you didn’t have space, etc. I thought the letter was informative since so many well-educated people are unaware of what President Franklin Roosevelt did, or tried to do. Whatever you decide is fine.

Brian J. Kelly, Albuquerque, NM

Sorry about that. The “Letters to the Editor” and “Other People’s Mail” sections are done separately and are subject to last-minute cutting as new articles compete with them for space in the magazine. In any case, your missing letter can be found on p. 92 of this issue

“Peace” Awaiting Orders From Netanyahu

Ever since the signing of the interim “peace” accords after the Wye Plantation meeting, many of the TV news commentators and their guests have praised the president for “getting the peace process back on track.” To me it seems like the “peace process” is on an abandoned siding awaiting orders from Netanyahu.

Any U.S. president putting the security and integrity of this country first would have taken umbrage at Mr. Netanyahu’s demand that the U.S. traitor Jonathan Pollard be released from his life term in prison. Our president, not daring to offend the head of the government that paid Pollard to spy, said he would review Pollard’s situation! Disregarding the personal conduct scandal he is involved in, Mr. Clinton lacks the backbone and integrity needed for the “leader of the free world.”

I find the Washington Report occupies a unique position in the media with regard to telling the truth about Middle East affairs and in providing a venue for your readers to express themselves. I thank all the WRMEA staff.

William V. Kelly, Austin, TX

Unfortunately President Clinton’s priority at Wye was to produce a Middle East peace photo op before the November elections. Since then it may have been to head off Israeli release of the 30 hours of taped “telephone sex” with Monica Lewinsky Mossad is said to have recorded by bugging the telephone lines to her Watergate apartment.

Wrongful Name-Calling

Each issue needs pictorial maps indicating “Israel’s” “Growth” since 1948! Be careful not to descend to mainstream villainizing—by calling world leaders by their first names. It is a sarcastic and demeaning tactic of our mainstream press.

Foreign news tends to be more formal, and professional by using the appropriate titles. Please don’t tarnish your image.

Antone Sacker, Houston, TX

The problem arises with the president of Iraq, whom we refer to initially as “Iraqi President Saddam Hussain,” just as we refer to “Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.” Later in the article we would refer to “Mubarak” without creating confusion. But if we refer to “Hussain” there’s the possibility that people will wonder how the late king of Jordan got involved. So, instead, like the mainstream press, in second references, we’ve been calling him “Saddam.” Your letter has started us worrying. We’ll work on a solution. Note that in our special reports we don’t refer to the prime minister of Israel as “Bibi,” although some letters, at least one of our columnists, and much of the mainstream press, do.

The Next “Palestinians”

I love both truth and freedom. Israel and its Zionist supporters are trying to destroy both. The destruction of truth makes totalitarianism possible. For the Palestinians, Israel is already a totalitarian, fascist state.

WRMEA unburies the truth. It uncovers the news other media cover up. It exercises our freedom—our First Amendment right to criticize Zionism. Thus, it is one of the forces blocking totalitarianism here in the U.S. I don’t want Americans to become the next “Palestinians,” though I fear we already are.

Charles Obler, Farmville, VA

Predictable Polls

Poll results showing the American public solidly behind the U.S. bombing of Iraq reveal nothing more than the effectiveness of the propaganda war against Saddam Hussain, Arabs, Muslims and Islam. After years of biased media coverage of events relating to Arabs and Muslims, how else is the American public to react?

Thoughtful voices opposed to U.S. imperial policies are seldom heard. How often are persons like former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark, or journalists like Robert Fisk asked to appear on major TV news or talk shows? How often do we see lawyers on network TV arguing the fine points of law relating to U.S. interventions abroad as they do on domestic affairs: O.J. Simpson, Monica Lewinsky and President Clinton’s impeachment?

Self-serving media critics fail to inform the public, or chastise the media, when elementary rules of journalism are not followed.

Is it not relevant when one writes about Iraq’s weapons of mass destruction, to mention neighboring Israel’s? Is it not relevant when one writes of Iraq’s use of chemical or biological weapons to mention Israel’s, Britain’s and ours?

Would the poll results be any different if Americans were told that the U.S. invasion of Panama to seize President Noriega (in itself a violation of international law) resulted in about 10 times as many deaths as did Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait? The results of polls regarding the U.S. bombing of Iraq are as predictable as those of a lynch mob.

Enver Masud, The Wisdom Fund, Arlington, VA

An Abridged Letter

Tonight reading the WRMEA in bed I was irked by the number of unsigned letters which were published. To me, a letter without a signature is like a vote not cast. Worthless! If one cannot speak the truth and sign his name, he is a coward. I know there are persons with a job, a social position and a family to protect for whom it might be unwise to tackle the truthfully difficult issues concerning the Mideast. And let’s face it—which WRMEA and some of its readers cannot or will not—the truth is that Israel’s illegal armed conquests along with the Israeli nuclear threat are the root cause of the unrest. Another truth is that the U.S.-British bombing of Iraq now has little to do with the United Nations, which is only an impotent symbol to legitimize the defense of Israel by destroying her enemies.

John W. Willmott, West Palm Beach, FL

We don’t like printing unsigned letters or articles either, but we understand when writers have relatives in countries where they would be subject to retaliation from powerful enemies of open debate. We’ve made exceptions, therefore, for writers from Iran, Iraq, Syria, probably other countries we’ve forgotten and, from time to time, the United States and Canada.

U.S. Hypocrisy in the Mideast

America once again rushes in a lynch mob frenzy to punish Iraq for failure to comply with the United Nations’ resolutions dealing with weapons inspections. Yet while studying Arabic this past summer in northern Lebanon at Lebanese American University in Byblos, I had the opportunity to understand a different point of view of Arab disdain for U.N. resolutions. Every time the United States waves that “sacred” compliance stick, the long-forgotten Palestinian and Lebanese victims of Israeli noncompliance are scarcely heard of. They linger in the day-by-day hell of a brutal Israeli occupation, be it in occupied southern Lebanon or the West Bank.

How often we forget U.N. Resolutions 242 or 338, dealing with Israeli withdrawal from “occupied territories.” And what about the lost and forgotten U.N. Resolution 425 calling for the Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon? We wonder why Hezbollah fires rockets at SLA positions in an attempt to liberate their homeland? No one in America seems to recall the massacre at Qana, southern Lebanon, less than three years ago, which left over a hundred dead Lebanese civilians in a U.N. compound. These forgotten victims and countless others of America’s hypocrisy continue to be ignored while we pursue our frenzy against Iraq for failure to comply with U.N. resolutions.

I ask when will America accept the fact that the suffering of the Palestinians and the occupied southern Lebanese is equally deserving of the same U.S. resolve we give to implementing resolutions against Iraq. Until we realize our own hypocrisy of blindly supporting Israeli aggression while ignoring the plight of others, we shall never be trusted by the Arabs in the Middle East. Nor should we be.

Jefferson Bowman Fletcher, Fayetteville, AR

In Christian Concern

Your appeal for funds was received and noted. I, a retiree, will try to do what I can. But, meantime, enclosed are two columns from various sources which are of importance and which could be used in the Washington Report. Being an Evangelical, I am totally ashamed of the way in which Cal Thomas, supposedly an Evangelical, prostitutes himself and actually takes liberties with facts to apologize for Israel. He deserves to be blasted by knowing people.

Joseph M. Canfield, Weaverville, NC

Attention All Canadians!

The Canadian Islamic Congress has drafted a letter Canadians can send to Prime Minister Jean Chretien and Canadian Foreign Minister Lloyd Axworthy. As you may already know, the Canadian government has come out in full support of the recent aggression against Iraq. Please have your Canadian readers read the letter below and send it to the above leaders:

Dear Mr. Prime Minister (or Mr. Foreign Minister):

Sanctions have already killed 1.5 million Iraqi babies, children and the elderly from 1991 to 1998. The launching of current massive air attacks by the United States and Britain will heap more agony on civilians who have endured a 7-year state of siege under the most comprehensive economic sanctions ever inflicted in modern history.

As Canadians we seek just solutions to all conflicts. Therefore, it is heartbreaking to see that our peacekeeping country should support the bombing of helpless Iraqi women, children and babies. Mr. Prime Minister, I call upon you and your party not to support the genocide of Iraqi civilians who are the victims of Saddam, the U.N. sanctions, and now the American and British armed aggression.

(The Right Hon. Jean Chretien e-mail: chretien.j@parl.gc.ca or fax (613) 992-4211

The Hon. Lloyd Axworthy, fax (613) 996-3443.)

The Canadian Islamic Congress, zkanji@ca.ibmmail.com

Good Reporting on Christians in the Mideast

I am glad that you report regularly on Christians in the Middle East. There are so many different groups spread throughout the region. Many are very small, such as the Bedouin Christians who now live in the Jordanian villages of Raba and Smakieh. Although most Jordanian Bedouin are Muslim, there are still some tribes who have retained their Christian faith for centuries.

It is easy to overlook the fact that Christians make up six percent of Iraq’s population. The largest Christian denomination in Iraq is the Chaldean Catholic community, which can trace its roots to the earliest days of Christianity.

Peter Kenney, Birmingham, AL

Your Information Appreciated

I have attended Presbyterian conferences on the Middle East. Your magazine was recommended by friends. It helps me to keep learning about what is happening there. There are many Syrians and some Lebanese and Palestinians in our church.

Louise Haddad, Allentown, PA

Some Useful Nomenclature

I would like to suggest a change in the mass media glossary which I wish you would adopt. Whenever the Democrats wish to trash the Republicans, they lay the blame on the “radical Christian right wing.” Let’s change it everywhere we can to the “radical Judeo-Christian right wing.” Not only will it thwart the mass media owners, but it is factually correct in that Orthodox Jews oppose abortion, homosexuality, divorce, etc.

J.E. MacDonald, via e-mail

Enlightening the Public

The task of bringing to the attention of the American people the injustices committed by Israel against the Palestinians is an enormous one considering the prevailing political and media environment in the United States. I think the Washington Report has done a magnificent job in enlightening the public in an objective and unbiased way. You are to be saluted for your sincere efforts. My best wishes for your continued success.

Marwan Mazhar, Beirut, Lebanon

Wanting Recommendations

I just read Richard Curtiss’ article, “The Cost of Israel to American Taxpayers: True Lies About U.S. Aid to Israel.”

I feel pimped!

Where can I communicate with people of this ilk, and what other heretical media do you recommend?

Neal J. Weissman, via e-mail

We’re not quite sure whether that’s a complaint or a compliment. If the latter, how about the authors of some 200 books in our catalog, and the publications with which we exchange advertisements?

Unbiased, Readily Available

After spending 28 years (1949-77) in Saudi Arabia with ARAMCO, I can see that the Washington Report is the only readily available source of information covering the Mideast in an unbiased manner.

Collins Brooks, Rogers, AR

Reporting from Rochester

I was praying hard for the king of Jordan to be cured, but it was not to be. Since then I’ve been amazed to hear how much influence the State of Israel had in reading details of his biography.

Rochester, Minnesota is not a political community, it is a medical community, where compassion for all people is upheld. I am sick of hearing about who America’s enemies are—if they are for or against the State of Israel. The king of Jordan was never my enemy, no Jordanian ever has been. Enemies of the U.S. should always be based on who is humane and who is not—not based on Israeli politics and Zionist, ungodly racism and inhumane treatment of the rest of humanity. If any country is an enemy of the United States, it is the State of Israel. That country’s political leaders should be overthrown and good riddance!

Anonymous, Rochester, MN

Keep on With Your Unfiltered Format

The Washington Report is a source of comprehensive information. You are to be commended for what you are doing. The facts dealing with Middle Eastern issues are presented in an unfiltered format, free of media and political bias. American foreign policy is being manufactured and manipulated by PACs supported by tax-exempt funds routed domestically or from abroad. These special interest groups are exerting influence within the U.S., networking amongst themselves and through the media, to promote the interest of foreign governments and against the real interest of the U.S.

Anonymous, Chicago, IL

So let’s do the same thing, networking for the real interest of the U.S., which is peace with justice in order to promote a friendly and stable Middle East and South Asia. Our part will be to supply as much information as we can to hold us all together.

The Lueckers’ Memorable Course

I would like to thank your wonderful magazine for existing. I was able to pick up most of the past two years’ issues for nothing when Mr. and Mrs. George Luecker held a class on the current situation in Israel/Palestine. Then I just got a letter in the mail saying that they were kind enough to give me a free year’s subscription! What nice people! Even though I am not using it currently, I have an ALA-accredited Library Science MA. I am always glad to see anything as well-written as what you put out. The Luekers ran their course because those of us who are Methodist often forget our common kinship with the Muslims, as fellow “people of the book.” I hope that this kinship grows stronger as more of us (Methodists) start following our own policy of going to the Holy Land and spending time (20 percent, according to our Book of Discipline) with the “Living Stones,” (the people) as well as all of the historical buildings and sites.

I first met large groups of Muslims when I went to Sarajevo, Bosnia, in June 1996, for two week’s worth of relief work. I was ashamed of my own prejudice, because I thought that I was a properly educated liberal. I know you have no money and I am a poor activist, not a rich donor. But if I could write some for you, I would be happy. I still write to the friends we made overseas.

Nancy Douglas-Payne, Albuquerque, NM

My Effort to Help

Since my first issue of the Washington Report on Middle East Affairs, I have learned much about the Middle East.

I wish to tell you that I admire your honest dedication; which is to inform the American public on the issues there.

My efforts are very small in comparison to yours, but I would like you to know that I make an effort to help. Enclosed is my letter to the local PBS station at Arizona University and WGBH-Boston.

Babbie Cannon, Tucson, AZ

Put This to Good Use

Please find enclosed my check for $5,000. I am happy to be able this year to contribute a little bit more and trust you’ll put it to good use.

You and your staff are doing great and valuable work toward educating our citizens about the other side of the Middle East story. Keep up your fine achievements.

James M. Saghi, San Francisco, CA

Unsung Heroes

It’s high time we, your “wonderful readers” (as you describe us on the “Publisher’s Page”) thank you instead of you always thanking us. Without you, nothing would have happened. You dreamed of this magazine, you worked hard and you made the magnificent dream come true. We were basically onlookers and perhaps discouraging.

You are really our “unsung heroes.” You do the Herculean, unpaid work of writing, editing, taking pictures and even traveling for fund-raising and for raising our image (Arabs and Arab Americans) and polishing it for the American public to read about and see. And above all, it’s you who donate the most money for the magazine, who sacrifice your time, energy and health for keeping it, along with American Educational Trust, alive and well and vibrant.

It’s also you who begs us for money to keep the torch lit, and I know how humiliating and painful begging could be, although you’re begging for us and not for yourselves.

For this, my heroes, my “sung” heroes now, I salute you and thank you eternally, accompanied, I’m sure, by many other Arab Americans and compassionate and concerned Americans. I only wonder why my rich and more fortunate fellow Arabs and Arab Americans don’t donate more money, money they can afford to give, to make our beloved magazine, our collective voice and pride, one of the best magazines in the whole nation. May God bless you and protect you with our beloved magazine.

Nuha Marchi, Orlando, FL

Even if you hadn’t been a contributor and supporter for so many years, we would have to thank you again for such an encouraging letter.

Seeking the Truth Important

The Washington Report is an exemplary magazine that, unfortunately, is ignored by the mainstream media. It includes articles that portray the truth and does not include any deception. I hope more people in this country and abroad come to realize the importance of seeking the truth, and this magazine works hard to get to it.

I am very thankful to the WRMEA for being such a wonderful magazine and apologize for the little financial support that I am giving while I am a student. Soon, I will be in a position to send additional financial help.

Fauzan Qazi, Chicago, IL

Court of Human Rights

Recently, a Cypriot woman scored a far-reaching and historical legal victory against Turkey. Titina Louizidou, a resident of Cyprus, sued the Turkish government in the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg for preventing her from using her home in Kyrenia, which has been under occupation since the 1974 invasion of the island. The court, ruling in her favor, ordered Turkey to pay massive compensation. Awards were made for “prevention of enjoyment of property, moral damages and legal costs.” Although the Turkish government refuses to accept the ruling by the court, confiscation of assets belonging to the Turkish government and located in other countries can be attached by Mrs. Louizidou.

A similar case can be made for thousands of Palestinians whose property was confiscated by the Zionists. Palestinians should work through international courts to have their human rights restored and their property returned or be compensated for their loss. International law prohibits an occupying force from confiscating property or displacing the indigenous population. Both violations have been committed by the Israelis to rid the occupied territories of Palestinians.

Paul Peter Hatgil, Professor Emeritus, Austin, TX

Thanks for your letter and this is as good a place as any to say that we hope to have a special section on the 25th anniversary of the Cyprus invasion in an upcoming issue.

A Typographical Error

The Washington Report means a lot to me and to many of my friends because it serves a huge need that the mainstream press does not give us: the truth about what is really going on in the world.

In the same way, Pacifica radio serves that same function to me in radio. More and more radio stations are being bought up by the huge corporations, the same ones that own the mainstream newspapers, magazines and television networks. The effect is that to find the Truth in reporting is becoming nearly impossible.

Pacifica radio is one of the few remaining networks that take no money from corporations. It is funded by listeners and a government grant. Even NPR is now being funded by the corporations and the content of its news is influenced by those who fund it.

You printed a recent article in your Jan./Feb. edition about a wonderful half-hour show aired in the Los Angeles area called “Middle East in Focus” and hosted by Don Bustany. This is one of my favorite radio shows. It offers truthful coverage of breaking news in the Middle East to a huge population—over 5 million people from San Diego north to Santa Barbara. There are forces who want to stop this show from broadcasting. During the pledge drives where listeners call in and pledge their support, I encourage your readers to call in, pledge whatever they can, and ask to have “Middle East in Focus” not only continue, but be increased back to one hour and moved to a better time slot.

One more very important request: In your article you made a typographical error that needs to be corrected if we will get this program’s message to the readers. It is aired on KPFK on Friday afternoons from 2 until 2:30 on 90.7 FM. Your article said 98.7, an unfortunate error.

Chuck Scurich, Oakland, CA

What’s the Frequency?

In the excellent issue, as all are, of Jan./Feb., 1999, on p. 51 was an article by John C. LaMonte entitled “Don Bustany: Truth Be Told.” There seems to be a discrepancy. In the third paragraph the radio station, KPFK-FM, is identified as 98.7 FM, but in the background of the picture of Don Bustany it appears to be 90.7 FM.

Which is correct?

Bill Canaday, Foley, AL

Nice catch! In fact, Don Bustany tells us, both are correct, with 90.7 FM the frequency of choice in Los Angeles, 98.7 in Santa Barbara, and a new repeater station (frequency to be determined) coming soon for San Diego. Both geographically, economically and population-wise, Southern California is comparable to a large and important country.

I’ve Suffered Enough!

You are doing a great favor to the United States by writing the truth about the Middle East.

I have been in this country for 40 years and have suffered enough with the American media and its Zionist propaganda.

I am enclosing a check for $1,000. I hope it helps you in keeping your publication going.

Wafiya El Hassany, Key Biscayne, FL