Mexico

Three cheers for Charles McC. Mathias Jr.! Stability in this hemisphere very much depends on how the United States views and responds to Mexico (Op-Ed Page, Oct. 12). The Mexico/U.S. relationship is just one more reason to support Costa Rican President Oscar Arias Sanchez’ attempts for a nonviolent resolution of conflict in Central America.

Mathias also points out the need for adopting a right course regarding trade with Mexico and acknowledging our economic interdependency; it is reassuring to note that Democratic candidates Bruce Babbit and Sen. Paul Simon (D-Ill.) are both speaking to those concerns. I only wish Mathias was not a “former” Republican senator--we certainly could use him on the Foreign Relations Committee today.

PATRICIA WEIL

Studio City