To the editor:

The first thing Americans should understand is that the crisis with North Korea is really a crisis with China. Without China’s approval, North Korea would never dare to do this. There are 13 major pipelines from Manchuria that are like arteries to the heart, which pump life into North Korea on a daily basis. If these pipelines are shut down, North Korea would shrivel on the vine like a melon deprived of nourishment and water.

Why would China approve this? To show the world that the U.S. has become a “paper tiger.” Also to make it clear that China is intending to place itself in the position that the United States has occupied in the second half of the 20th century and the beginning of the 21st century.

Don’t worry, China will come to the rescue. What better way to demonstrate to the world their new world importance and the impotence of both Bush and the United States. Referring the matter to the U.N. Security Council where both China and Russia have veto power only underlines the weakness of the U.S.A.

E.G. Hickam,

Lawrence