William Johnson's article :{ "In search of a safer world" Jan. 2} is a catalogue of illogic, licensing aggression for the mighty and powerful.

His prescription for peace in the Middle East defies rational analysis of the facts on the ground. Israel's Arab neighbours have repeatedly expressed recognition of Israel decades ago, in the Fez Arab Summit, and in the Beirut Arab Summit in March, 2002. What is required is pressure from Israel's unquestioning supporters to call for Israeli withdrawal from all illegally occupied Arab territories and compliance with international law, the Fourth Geneva Convention and the UN Charter.

Mr. Johnson's call for the Arabs to be "humanized", has the markings of offensive racist connotations.