I don't like violence

This is a comment to Mr. JWB de Koning's letter American attack against Iraq in your paper of Dec. 19, 1998.

Mr. De Koning definitely has the right to have his opinion about his own country, the USA. I even think that not a few Americans share his opinion. I, for one cannot agree with America or any other country that initiates any act of violence on another country, another group of people. My disagreement may, however, not be based on the same reasons as Mr. de Koning's. I cannot agree because I do not like violence. Another reason is the fact that two of my children are members of the United States air force. They may be sent to the Middle East and away from their families.

Whether President Clinton, Mrs. Albright and Mr. Blair are right or wrong in their decision to bomb Baghdad, I do not profess to know. I am just an old man, who has no access to political information. My understanding and appreciation of the dangers of weapons of mass destruction, like biological and chemical weapons in the hands of a Saddam Hussein, who saw fit to execute his own sons-in-law, are very limited. I trust that those who make serious national decisions have the wisdom and moral base to make those decisions on. If wrong decisions are made, I hope that our representatives in the House and in the Senate will take the proper actions to set things straight.

Decades ago I did not agree with America's involvement in Vietnam. In my opinion, Vietnam's problems were the problems of the Vietnamese. In spite of my personal opinion, I retained my respect for the United States and her leaders. When I was ordered to go to Vietnam, I went and did my job, as ordered by my superiors.

I do hope all parties concerned can come to a mutually satisfactory solution and that any further acts of violence can be avoided.

DJOKO SOEJOTO

Bandung