Praise for Habibie

Habibie's somber endorsement of the East Timor ballot has elevated him to a citizen of the world, capable of transcending nationality and culture. Shame on Megawati for criticizing his decision to allow the vote.

Habibie has put Indonesia on the path of becoming a mature and respectable nation, capable of rising above the petty, nationalistic narrow-mindedness that so many other world leaders exploit in order to distract from their inability to tackle more substantial issues, such as quality of life.

ANTONIO CHAVES

Hyattsville, U.S.