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In response to a recent Ellen Goodman column, I believe that while her reaction to the treatment of Saudi women is understandable, the United States is in a delicate position at the moment.
Our troops were invited into Saudi Arabia to fulfill a specific mission of uncertain duration. It is to be hoped that some of our democratic customs will be adopted, but we can`t expect a country that lacks any experience with democracy to adopt them overnight, nor can we impose them.
The U.S. experience in Vietnam also served to convince me that our system of government is not one that all countries can easily adopt. When the present crisis is over might be the time to discuss this issue with our friends in the region.
