A Dutch Tragedy
Thank you for the article on the assassination of Dutch political leader Pim Fortuyn, who has now become an icon for many Europeans (“Sudden Death,” Europe, May 20). In the context of your May 6 “Europe Turns to the Right” package, the reaction is a reflection of pent-up anger with the political culture that the EU imposes on its member states. A significant result of this culture is that Europe has become a shelter and a hotbed for Islamic groups that can foment their evil plots in the comfort of lush welfare systems and under protection of the democratic institutions they hate so much. It’s ironic that we feed, nurse and train our own murderers. Erik Jacobsen Graasten, Denmark
I would like to compliment you on your article on the death of Pim Fortuyn. Yours is one of the few foreign magazines to get the story straight the first time. Others compared Fortuyn to Austria’s Jorg Haider and France’s Jean-Marie Le Pen. You rightly point out that Fortuyn was not like them. R.M.R. Sandelowsky Amsterdam, Netherlands
Your report on the brutal assassination of Pim Fortuyn was thorough and unbiased, unlike those of other leading publications. Fortuyn may have been silenced, but his ideas live on. Like the Netherlands, Britain also faces a mass influx of refugees and bogus asylum seekers, but if one even mentions the subject, one is labeled a racist or fascist or both. I am deeply concerned about unchecked immigration into Britain and the way it is rapidly changing our society. The recent success of the British National Party in local elections here cannot be swept under the rug, nor can the 5.5 million French voters who opted for Jean-Marie Le Pen be easily dismissed. Western Europeans are deeply concerned about the multitudes of immigrants arriving here in the guise of asylum seekers at taxpayers’ expense. Chirac, Blair and Schroder need to address these real fears instead of exploiting them for political gain. Dominic Shelmerdine London, England
The recent killing of Pim Fortuyn is the most heinous act in a dark tale of immigration, crime and ultranationalism. Such incidents must be condemned outright. As an African in Europe, I find it particularly unsettling that there are people running loose out there who would go to any extreme to snuff out views different from theirs. Fortuyn was a fine, maverick politician who discussed his stance intelligently. And he did have a point. If I were European, I would be just as concerned as he was about national values, immigration and integration. There is a pattern at work here post-September 11: an unholy interplay of poverty, frustration, immigration, nonintegration, rising crime, dissent and terrorism. The EU must address the underlying issues and side effects of globalization in order to defuse this time bomb. We need to look beyond our shores to the home of immigrants and solve the more proximate causes–poverty and frustration. Onyebuchi Arah, M.D. Netherlands Institute for Health Sciences Rotterdam, Netherlands
You say, “then he [Fortuyn] gave an interview in which he rashly said he would abolish portions of the Dutch Constitution guaranteeing freedoms–among them speech and religion–that are at the foundation of Dutch society.” That would imply that Fortuyn opposed freedom of speech. The opposite is true. He proposed to strike the First Article of the Dutch Constitution, which outlaws discrimination on the basis of race, among other things, because it is at odds with the more important right to freedom of speech. He believed that we should be allowed to say that other peoples are inferior, though he did not believe that. The whole point about Fortuyn was that he believed in democracy much more than other Dutch politicians. His belief in common people’s ability to make sound decisions and his faith in democracy made him popular. Tabe Bergman Castricum, Netherlands
Your coverage put more emphasis on the collapse of Europe’s political center than on the Dutch political scene. One has to understand the culture of nonstop complaining by the Dutch people and their politicians. Fortuyn was an example of that culture. He hit the nail on the head by labeling an ethnic group as belonging to a backward culture in liberal Dutch society. He was right in criticizing the government for its failure to deal with the existing problems from immigration to medical care. But he had no concrete solution to these problems in his new party’s mandate. A rolling stone, he would not have been accepted at home or abroad because of his politically incorrect behavior. But he will be remembered as a person who changed the political scene. In death, he has achieved more than he would have alive. Syed Rashid Ali Shah Vroomshoop, Netherlands
Thank you for your coverage of the emergence of right-wing parties and movements in Europe. The main cause for this is simply the unwillingness and arrogance of mainstream parties, especially in Germany, to address the real issues and concerns of ordinary people. For years German politicians and parties that have tried to bring these problems to the public’s attention were simply dismissed as right-wing extremists or worse–as Nazis. As you pointed out, today’s problems cannot be solved by politically correct behavior, whatever that may be. Ingo Stawitz Uetersen, Germany
A Letter From Jerusalem
I have been a regular reader of NEWSWEEK since its first appearance and continue to read each issue despite the fact that Fareed Zakaria has referred to me as “the late Teddy Kollek” (“Spend It Now, Mr. President,” May 20). I take exception to the picture Zakaria paints of me as being against peace with our Palestinian neighbors. I am still active in a wide variety of activities throughout Jerusalem, many of which are geared to encouraging coexistence among Israelis and Palestinians. In fact, in honor of my 90th birthday last year, gifts were given to the Jerusalem Foundation in the amount of $900,000 to be used for Jewish and Arab education in the poorest areas of our city. And in my quest to “green” the city, the major project I support is the Tisch Family Zoological Gardens, where Jews and Arabs, religious and non-religious, new immigrants and native Israelis, all come together to enjoy the zoo in an atmosphere of tolerance without any tension between the groups. I hope to continue in my work for years to come and invite others to join me in my quest for understanding between peoples by supporting the work of the Jerusalem Foundation. As I celebrate my birthday on May 27, I would be happy to receive gifts to continue this important work. Teddy Kollek Mayor of Jerusalem, 1965-1993 Jerusalem, Israel
The Business of Race
The statistics published in your cover story “Race in the Boardroom” (Business, Feb. 18) concerning the proportion of racial minorities in senior positions in European companies seem to be incorrect. In Britain, Asian Jews (“people of non-European origin” by your definition) must account for a good 10 percent of the holders of such posts, and in fields like publishing, print media, broadcasting, entertainment, publicity and advertising, they could constitute a majority. Brian Clacey Kitami, Japan
Who cares why it’s so hard to find minorities in Europe’s boardrooms? Unless the law specifically bars people from certain jobs, as was the case in apartheid South Africa, it’s a silly question. It’s like wondering why there are so few white basketball players in the NBA or so many Indian computer programmers in Silicon Valley. In free societies, people choose different professions for many reasons, from culture and class to wealth, status and ambition. The elevation of racial prejudice as the overriding factor and the implication that all races should be proportionately represented in any given occupation betrays a lack of understanding about how modern societies function. This must qualify as the nonstory of the year. Robert Gentle Johannesburg, South Africa
Most European firms appoint and promote employees on the basis of merit, not race. In advocating racial monitoring and preferential treatment on the basis of race, you confuse equal opportunities with equal outcomes. Most Europeans are aware of what happened the last time there was an attempt to create a Europe based on racial privileges and racial job reservation. No wonder the Frankfurt bank executive in your report accused your reporters of asking racist questions. Paul Rowlandson Londonderry, N. Ireland
As an Indian-born naturalized American citizen, now leading an expatriate life in Switzerland, I thought your cover story on race in the boardroom barely scratched the surface. Before searching for the glass ceiling, you need to check the floor. The numbers at the middle and lower rungs are probably equal cause for alarm–that is, if they exist at all. Equally alarming is the lack of any American company in your survey. While we snicker at Europeans on the race issue, perhaps we should ask for answers from American multinationals in Europe and include them in the next survey. Satisch Dore Wallisellen, Switzerland
Your article on racism concludes by saying that minority groups are poorly represented in corporate Europe. As a European, I disagree. In a recent piece of research for a university essay I noticed the opposite–almost all had minorities at board level. Examples are Walter Massey and Errol B. Davis at BT, Donald McHenry at GlaxoSmithKlein, David Brennan at AstraZeneca and Yasmin Jetha at Abbey National. What further interested me was your claim that Jetha was the only Asian woman at board level. You apparently overlooked Debjani Jash, the company secretary for ICI. Your conclusions unfairly portray European corporations as racially prejudiced. You criticize companies for not “counting” the number of minorities they hire. If I were a member of a minority group, I’d feel offended by being used as a public-relations trophy. The fact that companies don’t monitor the number of their minority employees should be seen as increased acceptance and integration, not discrimination. Mark Lilley Sheffield, England
If a nation keeps on believing in race–even in its affirmative version–because of its uncomfortable past concerning its own people, it is understandable. Even in a nation with a relatively short history, it is not easy to fully ignore the past. But to want to impose American political correctness on “race” onto Europe is not only irrelevant, it is arrogant American centrism. Athan Gotovos Ioannina, Greece
I found your article very appropriate. A comparative table–like the one you titled “Europe’s Glass Ceiling,” in which you showed a number of companies with a minority manager, a CEO, board member, top- and senior-management levels–for U.S. companies of similar level would have highlighted the issue better. I’m sure the United States would come out better. B. C. Ghosh Singapore
There are still people living in Europe who remember a time when their neighbors were taken away because of such categorizations and registry entries. I think that if going to a German company and asking, “How many Jews do you employ?” is beyond vulgar and tasteless, asking how many ethnically non-Europeans you employ is not much better. If my company ever asks me my race or creed, I’ll jot in “human,” and give my religion as “Jedi knight.” Vilhelm Holmsten Espoo, Finland
I congratulate you for taking the important step of addressing a hot topic that is still very much a taboo in corporate Europe. I believe we could all learn something from the U.S. approach, providing virtually unlimited opportunities to talented people who are willing to work hard to reach the top and fulfill their ambitions. Konstantinos G. Apostolatos Maastricht, Netherlands
Can Turkey Play by the Rules?
Your article “Europe’s Orphan” makes it seem as though Europe’s begging to join Turkey rather than the other way around (Europe, April 22). Turkey does have its unique identity and character, and Europe will respect that. Europe will not suppress individuality and tradition. But all European countries are joined by rules that aim to respect human values and promote ideals that defend basic human rights. Turkey has its own dark past and a present that it needs to hide. Turkey must confront its demons: the Armenian genocide, its occupation of Cyprus, the Kurdish issue and its appalling history of human-rights violations. Europe cannot and must not compromise its core values for the sake of diversity. Barrett Kesterlian Nicosia, Cyprus
Like many Turks, I’m wondering whether Turkey should be part of the EU. One thing we’re all sure of: Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s will to the Turkish youth that we must protect our independence under all conditions. However, that does not mean we don’t want to join the EU. Personally, I think Turkey should join, but Europe should not forget that Turkey is a free country and has rights. We are the first country that lives with both Islam and democracy. We work with the international peacekeeping mission in Afghanistan, and our minister of Foreign Affairs was recently in the Mideast talking to Ariel Sharon and Yasir Arafat. Turkey knows its responsibilities. We must not forget the words of Ataturk: “There are many nations, but only one civilization.” Ahmet Gormez Ankara, Turkey
Owen Matthews’s article on Turkey was very prescient in its analysis of the country’s current relationship with Europe and its allies. I lived and worked in Istanbul seven years ago and have followed the events in that country with great interest ever since. Matthews’s writing was lucid and provided an accurate interpretation of a country that is often misunderstood and not given recognition for its role and position in the world today. T. Michael Ovacik Ann Arbor, Michigan
If Turkey wants to join the EU, why doesn’t it get out of Cyprus, an independent state whose territory Turkey has forcefully occupied with 35,000 NATO-armed and -supplied troops for almost three decades? And why doesn’t it acknowledge the human and political rights of its non-Turkish citizens, the Kurds? All countries in the EU play by common rules, and those who want to join must accept those rules. Why should the Turks get to pick and choose? Or does your correspondent think that the EU must adjust its system to the one run by the caudillos of Ankara? Marios L. Evriviades Athens, Greece
Matthews seems to think that America’s goals are the EU’s. He is wrong. A broad commercial treaty would be more positive for everyone. If Turkey joins the EU, it would mean expanding the EU borders to the Middle East, a troubled and unstable region. And once Turkey is in, how can the EU reject other possible southern applicants like Egypt or Morocco? It can’t. A stable EU is more useful to the world. Marcos Mosquera Ordesa Coruna, Spain
