This letter is in response to the letter submitted for publication by Mr. Sudborough. His letter was published in the Iowa State Daily on Dec. 5.

Mr. Sudborough, I by no means condone the actions of the CIA. Due to the secretive nature of the organization it is difficult to say, with any degree of certainty, who their motives and tactics benefit.

You certainly sound concerned for the children of Iraq who are reported to be starving. The only reason I say “reported to be” is because haven’t actually read the reports published by the credible human rights groups you mentioned. However, it is very possible that this is indeed going on in Iraq.

If I remember correctly, the trade embargo and the weapons facility inspections that are being imposed upon Iraq stem from a negotiated agreement for a cease-fire in the Persian Gulf War. I’m pretty sure that any violation of these sanctions would result in another war, but if you like, you can simply think of the war as still going on.

These sanctions are U.N. policy, not U.S. policy. Unfortunately, the United States has entered into a partnership with the United Nations, and our pocketbook is part of that deal. Since the United States is the big brother in the UN family, we get to pay the bills for our smaller siblings who curse us.

The United States pays for the majority of the U.N.’s endeavors. We pay with guns, bombs, planes, tanks and American blood. The reason I say “we pay” is not because of economic concerns but for the principle of responsibility. The United States relies on a government for the people and by the people. We are ultimately responsible for the persons we place in office and for their decisions and actions. We are responsible.

This is also the case for people living in Iraq and under its authority. Saddam Hussein is not the president of Iraq; he is the dictator. People living under dictatorship have a responsibility to rise up and take control of their government.

It is not the responsibility of foreign entities to decide who eats and who does not eat in Iraq. Ultimately, it is the responsibility of the Iraqi government. The Iraqi children are not starving at the cruel hands of the United States or the United Nations; they are starving at the hands of their power-hungry government.

Iraq, just like a few African nations of the previous decade, has no money for food or medicine but has plenty of cash for guns, tanks and surplus Soviet missiles — not to mention a chemical and nuclear weapons program that the United Nations has to spend time and money derailing.

Your care and concern for the children of Iraq is admirable and mutual. Unfortunately, focusing on the problems without looking at the causes doesn’t usually lead to lasting solutions.

I feel very sorry for the people of Iraq as their hardships and suffering must be unbearable. That’s why I would encourage them to stand up and fight for their freedom. This whole thing will never really be resolved until the Iraqi people are leaders, not victims, of their own government.

Jeff Banning

Freshman

Chemical engineering