IUS should show more respect to Arabs

The opinion-page article ''Gaza on the Brink: What Causes Terrorism,'' April 12, states both the inevitable results of sustained or escalated economic hardship and the apathy of Western governments toward Arab plights.

When we refer to Israel we speak of the people or the nation while Arab issues are personalized by the head of the state; this has been blatantly evident from the Gulf war.

We show less concern for Arab distress resulting from our actions than for how their leadership follows our dictatorship. This demeans the people and their national pride. If America acted alone, this would be of less import, but America exerts influence over large blocs of nations.

We must abandon this manipulation to allow successful governmental evolution for all. Democracy flowers when the people involved are ready and unthreatened; it often dies when outside threats loom large. Washington is taking this same stance toward its own citizens. It behooves us to learn from this and recognize our interest in blocking such behavior.

Judith A. Hewitt, Missoula, Mont.

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