Kadafi Renounces Banned Weapons, Thanks to Bush

Libyan dictator Moammar Kadafi now pledges to give up his biological and chemical weapons (Dec. 20). Could it be his decision had something to do with seeing his fellow tyrant thug Saddam Hussein crawl out of a rathole in Iraq? The planet may now be just a little safer place. Thank you, President Bush.

Scott Abramson

San Mateo, Calif.

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Kadafi’s move to abandon all programs of “weapons of mass destruction,” according to the U.S. presidential statement in your story, would be one step to help Libya “regain a secure and respected place among the nations.” How about applying that wisdom also to the government most heavily armed with “weapons of mass destruction,” the U.S. government?

To quote further from Bush’s statement: “Those weapons do not bring influence or prestige. They bring isolation and otherwise unwelcome consequences.” I think you’re on to something there, Mr. Bush. Are you listening to yourself?

Joe Maizlish

Los Angeles

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Kadafi gives up his weapons program after receiving assurance that the U.S. won’t try to oust him. Critics question Bush’s willingness to accept this from a dictator who sponsored terrorism. Isn’t that exactly what they wanted him to do with Hussein? Can Bush not do anything right in the eyes of the left?

Bob Fenton

Cucamonga

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President Reagan bombed Kadafi’s compounds in 1986. Unfortunately, it was the only time, prior to the current administration, that our government truly has sought to hold those behind the killing of Americans responsible for their actions. In spite of his rhetoric, even Reagan sat idle after hundreds of Marines were killed in Beirut.

Thankfully, Bush seems to have learned from the mistakes of his father and other presidents over the past 30 years who have allowed the unbridled growth of Middle Eastern terrorism. As Hussein’s surrender (shameful in the eyes of the Arab world) demonstrates, most terrorist (and arguably other) leaders are happy to order others to die for their cause but put their tails between their legs as soon as their lives are threatened.

Kenneth W. Kossoff

Oak Park