Dear Editor:

I am submitting this letter for your kind consideration. Thank You and Happy Veteran's Day. M. Khodr

Secretary Powell deserves much credit in modifying a "Preemptive Attack" policy on Iraq for now. A policy selectively applied to nations with oil and lack of powerful domestic lobbies. Yet, Powell's definition of "Truth" in "Baghdad's Moment of Truth" (Nov. 10) reflects the "truth du jour" in the eye of the powerful not the pending victims. Since World War 11 the United Stated has never been "truthful" or credible in MidEast affairs

Bush and Blair have provided no credible evidence besides hyperbolic sound bytes to justify a war upon Iraq. Even the CIA contradicts such alleged justifications for war. Hussein is an evil murderous man, like so many of America's friends, but the sudden compassion for Iraqi's after 11 years of killing sanctions is heartening. Where was such compassion in Rwanda and Cambodia? Oh, yes they have no oil.

Mr. Powell's reasoning against Iraq is more applicable to Israel than any other nation worldwide, but Iraqis, unlike Israelis, have no powerful constituency to protect it's flagrant violations of dozens of UN Resolutions (Iraq violated 16 (not dozens) compared to over 70 against Israel in 55 years), no 37 U.S. Vetoes, no large contributions to political parties, no Congressional pandering, while allowing Israel to invade Lebanon "twice", to occupy Jerusalem, the West Bank, Gaza, and the Golan Heights, even in violation of US policy. The U.N. is already irrelevant precisely because of America's foreign policy. Israel, unlike Iraq, has 200-400 nuclear weapons paid for by America's taxpayers.

The U.N. Resolution (contrary to Mr. Powell's assertion) is creatively ambiguous with a thin trigger line for Bush's war, making it open for interpretation. It is easier for Bush to wage wars than implement peace in the Middle East, peace is not conducive to Re-election.

Until America confronts this double standard with Israel, Bin Laden's recruits will ensure American insecurity here and abroad.

Mohamed Khodr M.D.