The editorial (OGJ, Aug. 20, 2001, p. 21) "Terrorism and ILSA" is right on target. The effects of lack of cultural and personal contact combined with deprivation caused by unavailability of certain necessary commodities cause the populace of the affected countries to believe the rantings of their leaders.
I worked in Libya for a few years. There was a considerable difference in the attitudes of the older Libyans, who had worked with Americans, and younger Libyans, many of whom had no contact with Americans and had suffered or had children who suffered from lack of adequate medical care and/or food due to the economic sanctions. The older Libyans recognized Qaddafi for the despotic, lying dictator that he is. The younger ones believe America is out to destroy them all-to wipe Libyans off the face of the earth through starvation and disease.
I have personally seen the deteriorated hospitals, the empty food shelves, the lack of clean water, the poor sanitation facilities. Qaddafi does not have to live with these but the people do. We are making generations of enemies even as this letter is being written.
The official view seems to be that if the people of a country are deprived enough, they will rise up and overthrow Qaddafi or Saddam, etc. This is an incredibly stupid idea. It only worked in South Africa because the people in power cared what the rest of the world thought. Sanctions will not work in Libya, Iraq, or Iran. A few loyal stooges with loaded automatic weapons can hold back a lot of people armed only with rocks.
The ILSA sanctions only ensure that terrorism will grow and spread.
Byron Wooldridge
Corpus Christi, Tex.
