Democracy over oil

Editor: It is ironic that David Frum uses the example of the potential democratization of Iran as a rationale for an American attack on Iraq. ("Back from West Wing," Bulletin cover story, Sept. 20) U.S. administrations not only supported Saddam Hussein after he had gassed his own people, but also backed the totalitarian Shah of Iran. The United States has shown in all too many cases that the control of oil has a higher priority than the spread of democracy. If the speaker is truly interested in the latter, he would support the strengthening of international law and its enforcement through the International Criminal Court. This institution has been opposed by the current American political leadership under George W. Bush.

Larry Kazdan
Secretary, World Federalists of Canada, Vancouver