Open Accountability on Funds for Iraq

Re “House, Senate Approve Iraq Aid Package,” Oct. 18: Given the preliminary congressional passage of the Bush administration’s request for $87 billion for the war in Iraq, it is laudable that the senators asked for part of the sum to be made as a loan. Many Americans already feel we’ve overpaid and overstayed in Iraq. The International Institute for Strategic Studies reported on Oct. 15 that the Iraq war had actually swollen the ranks of Al Qaeda and had steeled its will. We must all demand a full and unrestricted financial accountability, as well as a graceful and noninflammatory way to exit the situation altogether.

George Colby Allerton

Venice

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During the congressional debates on spending $87 billion more for Iraq, both sides insisted their highest priority is to “protect the troops in the field.” May I ask just where was this deep concern when they let President Bush send them in the first place -- with hardly even a debate?

J. B. Thomas

Arroyo Grande

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Re “U.S. Secures U.N. Backing on Iraq Effort,” Oct. 17: The United Nations’ acceptance of the U.S. Iraq resolution is a first step toward stability in that beleaguered country. The good news is that it puts U.S. rhetoric on paper with dates, goals and accountability. But make no mistake: The U.S. still needs to get out of Iraq as soon as possible so stability can truly return. We evicted the Saddam Hussein regime, but we won’t win the peace so long as U.S. boots are on the ground.

Likewise, we need to remove the perception of American profiteering by opening up the contracting in Iraq to international companies and Iraqis themselves. And finally, we should not force a vanquished and powerless Iraq into loans repaying us for reconstruction.

Andy Hadel

Los Angeles

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We cannot afford to spend $87 billion on a policy failure that is resulting in untold deaths, unparalleled riches for U.S. companies, the demoralization of our troops and a frightening deficit that our undereducated, jobless, uninsured children will be unable to repay. Members of Congress should read “A World Transformed,” in which the first President Bush speaks to the inadvisability of occupying Iraq.

Janice C. Johnson

Los Angeles