Letters

Free at Last

"Why didn't the Serbs stand up to Milosevic when their Croat, Bosnian and Kosovar neighbors were being butchered, raped and tortured?" ANNA NOVIC Phoenix, Ariz.

"Nobody expected the transition from war to peace in Yugoslavia to be as dignified as it was [WORLD, Oct. 16]. Thousands of young Serbs in the streets of Belgrade accomplished what thousands of nato bombs could not. The power of the people overcame that of Slobodan Milosevic. With this history-making event, the people of Yugoslavia at last showed the world the real face of their nation, and we congratulate them. MIROSLAVA MYRA BIHAC Wilmington, Del.

In Poland and what was once the U.S.S.R., in Selma, Ala., and Johannesburg and in countless other places, the catalyst for change has been the very common act of someone saying, "No more!" The longer I live, the more firmly I believe that an oppressed people's rallying cry to revolution is not "Freedom!" but "Enough already!" When people gather under that banner, anything is possible. FRAN HUTCHINSON Brattleboro, Vt.

I was glad your story noted the atrocities suffered by the Serbs themselves. I am not a Serb but a member of the U.S. Air Force who served in Bosnia for four months. While there, I witnessed the blatant brushing aside of Bosnian Serbs' needs by the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe because of political bias. The Bosnian war was a huge land grab by Croats, Serbs and Muslims; there were no heroes on any side. Anti-Serb bias in the U.S. media and in the government has done more damage to our credibility in this region than any bombs. It will take years, if not generations, for these people to forgive and forget. Still, I am very grateful that they have a new start. They deserve it. (SSGT.) VANCE CLARK, U.S.A.F. Pacific Grove, Calif.

Waiting for Justice

In citing the difficulties in compelling Milosevic to stand trial before the new International Criminal Court [WORLD, Oct. 16], you noted the growing popularity of holding local trials for war criminals. The International Criminal Court, which was established by treaty in 1998 and can begin work only after 60 countries have accepted its jurisdiction, will try cases only if countries are unwilling or unable to try them locally. This is unlike the existing temporary tribunals for Yugoslavia and Rwanda, which may take cases away from local courts as they see fit. The International Criminal Court respects the idea that war criminals should be tried locally if countries are willing and able to do so; it acts as an incentive for local trials to be held but will serve as the court of last resort if those trials are not taken seriously. JONATHAN HUSTON New York City

If Milosevic is never sent to the Hague to be tried as a war criminal, your cover photograph will stand as a permanent symbol of contempt for this inhuman monster. Brilliant! ROY ADAMS Upper Marlboro, Md.

Rain Forests at Risk

Money talks--a lot louder than any environmentalist can. This was evident in your article about paving a 435-mile road through the Amazon rain forest [ENVIRONMENT, Oct. 16]. Perhaps it is difficult for Brazil to look past the short-term economic gains of paving highway BR-163. But who are we Americans to criticize Brazil? Isn't opening up the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to development a key issue in the presidential campaign? We might destroy one of the few natural habitats that we have left. We Americans can't point a finger at Brazil if we exploit our own natural preserves. ANNA LANIER Emporia, Kans.

This road may provide food and money for Brazil's landless and more funds for the government, but only for a short time. THEODORE VARNS, age 16 Wailuku, Hawaii

Mass burnings cause the emission of many chemicals that destroy ozone. Large quantities of methyl bromide and other halogen-containing chemicals are pushed skyward in biomass fires. Such fires could be the source of most of the bromide getting to the ozone layer and destroying it. Large quantities of sulfur dioxide are also emitted that can increase acid-rain fallout. The U.N. needs a program to discourage deliberate biomass burning. JAMES A. SINGMASTER III Fremont, Calif.

It is tragic that we in Brazil have been warned about the destruction but are doing nothing to stop it. Most people I have spoken with feel the same. But I believe your report may change the minds of many Brazilian Congressmen. DAKIR LOURENCO DUARTE Porto Alegre, Brazil

What is happening in the Amazon forest sends a dire alarm that needs to be heeded. I have traveled on many occasions in the past 26 years on some of the roads you described. I can't help noticing the increasing roadside devastation from one trip to the next, as an ever expanding network of side roads penetrates deep into the rain forest. The tinderbox effect is already noticeable in many parts of the Rondonia territory in western Brazil and is responsible for large tracts of unproductive and abandoned desert land in the southern part of Brazil's Para state, where it is unlikely that primary growth will ever take hold again. It is tragic that we've been warned about the destruction of the Amazon forest for so long, but nothing is being done to stop it. There is still time to act on this. In another 10 years, it may be too late. WILLIAM O'DWYER FOGTMAN Rio de Janeiro

OPEC's Outsider

The article "Oil's New Boss," about Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez Frias [BUSINESS, Oct. 9], noted his seemingly contradictory characteristics, but they are what make him a unique leader. His refusal to allow U.S. military planes to fly over his country and his turning down U.S. emergency aid make him seem like an antiglobalist. But his playing host to the OPEC summit showed he is an outward-looking individual who does not always say yes to anything or anyone. ERIK B. DAYRIT Quezon City, the Philippines

In the Cross Fire

The pictures of the 12-year-old Plestinian boy huddled against his father for protection from Israeli bullets touch the deepest fear in a parent's heart--that of being helpless and unable to protect one's child [WORLD, Oct. 16]. I pray that a benevolent God reserves a special place for the boy. I have always supported Israel and its right to exist. But this time Israel, with its brutal assault on the Palestinian people, has lost the moral high ground. A Palestinian life is no less precious than any other. Leaders of both sides must think as parents and reach peace, for the alternative will be more images that break a parent's heart. HOWARD KILLIAN Colora, Md.

You chose not to publish pictures of Israeli soldiers being shot at, Joseph's Tomb being desecrated and ransacked, funeral attendees being attacked or Jews being stoned at the Western Wall. The Palestinians may be underdogs in terms of military power, but they are far from poor innocent souls. JILL DAUBE Ahuzat Etrog, Israel

Crisis in Jerusalem

Humanity should hang its head in shame for its collective responsibility for the recurrent senseless violence in the Middle East these past 50 years [WORLD, Oct. 16]. Abraham, Moses, Jesus and Muhammad would recoil at the sight of what their "faithful" followers are saying and doing, invoking their names for all sorts of claims to a handful of acres in and around Jerusalem. CALVIN Y. HADIDIAN Cranberry Township, Pa.

Violence has once again erupted in the Middle East; fierce fighting and clashes have taken the lives of many in this cauldron of fire. When will peace be given a chance? We must address these questions. The pinnacle of the Middle East crisis is, of course, the sovereignty of Jerusalem, the city holy to Muslims, Jews and Christians alike. Both the Israelis and the Palestinians want to make it the capital of their state. I say Jerusalem should be left alone. It is a place in which to pay homage, not to formulate government policies. Making Jerusalem an administrative capital would only aggravate the situation. Jerusalem should be left pure, holy and free. PUANESVARAN SUBRAMANIAM Kuala Lumpur

A pox on all "sacred" places! A good solution would be to level Temple Mount/Haram al-Sharif and build low-cost housing for the poor. I am certain that God (if he exists) would approve. Harold A. Falconer Farmington, Conn.

Outward Bound

The Baraka School in Kenya, where troubled U.S. students are sent, is a wonderful example of how a positive teaching experience can change lives [EDUCATION, Oct. 9]. Bravo for Baraka and the success of the program! I cried when I read that the young black men come home to Baltimore, Md., determined to turn their lives around. I hope more school districts--and parents--will be willing to save their children by letting them go into other worlds, places where they can strengthen their sense of self. ERV DYER Pittsburgh, Pa.

Look Who's Signing

I was disappointed by Amy Dickinson's skeptical article about teaching babies sign language [PERSONAL TIME: YOUR FAMILY, Oct. 16]. I taught my son to sign and can testify to the benefits of signing with your baby. I started signing with my son when he was eight months old. He is now 14 months and actively signs six words and understands many more signs. Signing gives my son self-confidence. His eyes light up when his signs are responded to appropriately. He recognizes that signing allows him to communicate his wants in a clear and consistent manner. Jena Srivastava New York City

I tend to agree in spirit with Dickinson's doubt about the value of baby signing. Millions of years of evolution is evidence that parents have reared their infants just fine without resorting to the latest fads from so-called experts. Dickinson failed to mention, however, that the use of signing with babies rests upon a body of empirical research conducted by well-respected developmental psychologists. We should encourage parents to review all the evidence so they can decide for themselves what parenting practices may work best for them and their children. JANETTE B. BENSON Denver

As a researcher heavily involved in teaching infant-signing systems, I was dismayed by your article. Perhaps Dickinson should have spoken to parents of screaming toddlers who have found that sign language helps ease frustrations. Infants can nod and point, but only when what they are interested in is in front of them. When something they want is out of sight, they lack the verbal ability to ask for it. Parents use signs as a means of communication, not an opportunity to show off for their friends. While I can appreciate skepticism, signing has its place. Without delving into scientific research for background information, comments such as Dickinson's are merely unjustified ignorance. BONNIE FORTIER Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts North Adams, Mass.

Of Shame and Show Biz

Re Spike Lee's new film bamboozled, which includes references to degrading racial stereotypes and actors in blackface [CINEMA, Oct. 9]: Younger audience members may never have heard of brilliant African-American comedians like Bert Williams and Miller and Lyles (their purloined material was the basis for the comedic characters in Amos 'n' Andy), who, in spite of their intelligence, wit and show-business savvy, had to wear exaggerated makeup and play the stereotype to get work. I had the honor once of interviewing Nicodemus (Nick) Stewart, who played Lightnin' on the Amos 'n' Andy TV show. He told me that as late as the 1950s, it was either play the character or get no work. He made the sacrifice so he could use his money to build a theater in South Central Los Angeles to train young African Americans in theatrical skills. Stewart paid a price, but he paved the way for African-American comic entertainers like Spike Lee. J. JEROME ZOLTEN Warriors Mark, Pa.

Eyes on the Prize

I was delighted to see your coverage of the world-renowned Nobel Prizes and the brief survey of winners who merited the award and those who were overlooked [SCIENCE, Oct. 16]. But I was dismayed at the item "Three Who Should Never Have Won." Medical science is under constant revision. What is state of the art today may not be tomorrow, as new discoveries lead to a revision of our understanding of how things work. The inclusion in your list of psychiatrist Julius Wagner von Jauregg as an unworthy Nobel recipient is incredible. His malaria-fever therapy to treat dementia was used throughout the world for 50 years and helped relieve a lot of suffering. ROBERT A. HARRIS Stockholm

I feel strongly that Mohandas Gandhi, who came close to being chosen the Person of the 20th Century by your magazine, is one of the people who was overlooked by the Nobel committee. He should have been awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace. On second thought, however, if the Mahatma had been given the Peace Prize, it would have been the Nobel Foundation that was honored! SORAIYUR V. RAMAN Wassenaar, the Netherlands

Rather than label Johannes Fibiger, Antonio Moniz and Julius Wagner von Juaregg as unworthy recipients of the Nobel Prize, you should have seen their work for what it was: medical advances for the age they lived in. After all, most of the acclaimed scientific advances today could prove to be gross errors a century from now, when our knowledge may have leaped geometrically beyond today's boundaries. BIODUN OLUSESI Lagos

Risk or Reform

My question to those who are in favor of vouchers that use tax dollars to help parents send their kids to private schools [EDUCATION, Oct. 9]: Would those schools be required to take anyone who appears at their front door? My daughter is an eighth-grader in an urban school with tremendous economic, racial and ethnic diversity. I feel she is learning in the real world from dedicated teachers who embrace the challenge. But if middle-class students and high-achieving children who are less privileged can be tempted to leave this wonderful school, the delicate balance that makes it work may be destroyed. Rather than vouchers, why not a program that encourages affordable housing in all school districts so that everyone will have a chance to become part of a community and also attend an excellent public school? RUBY ANSTADT Burlington, Vt.

Comparing the performance of students who use vouchers with that of students in the same school district who don't use them is meaningless. A better test would be to weigh the performance of voucher students against that of comparable students in a district where vouchers are not available. TOM PITTMAN Spreckels, Calif.