Web Letters: Dennis Ross's Iran Plan

When a lawyer perceives that he/she has a conflict of interest in a "case" it is customary to declare what it is and be removed from that case. The legal term for this is called "recuse."

All Jews have an understood loyalty or bias towards Israel, which is understandable. In that case, shouldn't all Jews recuse themselves from being involved in Middle East negotiations etc. on America's behalf ?

Isn't there an ethics issue when America is represented by a Jew in "peace negotiations " between Arabs and Jews?

When a critical mass of Americans finally decides to restore ethics to America in this regard, a positive direction will surely follow.

Islamic nations are not fooled by Obams's contention that America is not at war with Islam, and when they are confronted by a Jewish American representing American interests they are doubly mystified or insulted.

Mr. Ross is a Jew with business interests in Israel and a long history of supporting Israeli right-wing interests is obviously biased and US and Israeli interests are not always the same.

Mathew Neville

Boca Raton, FL

This is an excellent article! Based on their attitudes and statements, I have been rather leery of Ross and Holbrooke, but this article provides more facts, as opposed to conjecture. While Obama's instincts may be correct, some of his speeches do not preclude the use of force with regard to Iran's nuclear program. Carrots are far more useful than sticks, and no diplomatic initiative should begin with threats or preconditions. I had the impression that Ross had only an advisory position and did not make policy. He may be assuming unauthorized power. If you attend press conferences at the State Department, this would be a good question to ask.

The neocons began as liberal hawks in "Scoop" Jackson's office during the Vietnam War, and they are still taking care of Boeing. This new group of liberal hawks need our attention. We do not need a softer version of the Bush administration's foreign policy or attitudes!

Pervis James Casey

Riverside, CA