Reflections on the Democratic Convention

I thought Teresa Heinz Kerry's speech Tuesday night at the Democratic National Convention was thoughtful, forceful and full of insight. Her comment about the "limitless opportunity" for immigrants such as herself that has always been America's "gift to the world" was borne out for me that same night.

I went to dinner at the Lebanese Taverna in Arlington, where, as a thank-you to customers on the restaurant's 25th anniversary, the owners "turned back the clock" by featuring 1979 prices from the original menu. The menu also included a "history" in the form of a lovely letter from the founder and owner, Tanios Abi-Najm.

The letter began, "It is said that America is a land where dreams can be transformed into reality." How wonderful for those of us who are native-born to be reminded of how much our country means to those who came here with dreams that could not be realized or recognized anywhere else. It would be special to bring that perspective of innate appreciation and gladness into the White House.

NANCY S. KILPATRICK

Arlington

•

With the Democratic National Convention at full steam, so is the rhetoric about President Bush's approach to the war in Iraq. I'm tired of hearing Mr. Bush accused of "going it alone" and "unilateralism" with regard to Iraq, because that's false. More than a dozen countries cooperated in the U.S.-led effort to depose Saddam Hussein. Somehow these countries are forgotten, except for Britain.

People seem to assume that an action is multilateral only if it is sanctioned by the U.N. Security Council.

In truth, seeking council action is more synonymous with driving into a brick wall. Examples of U.N. inaction include the entire Cold War, Rwanda and Kosovo. While the United Nations exists as a framework for multilateralism, so do NATO, the European Union, the African Union and several other international organizations.

If I were an adviser to a newly elected President Kerry, I would suggest using the latter forms of multilateralism -- the ones Mr. Bush used.

MATT PHELPS

Alexandria

The writer is a member of the Republican National Committee.

•