Dear Editor,

In observing U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan's dithering on Iraq, I am reminded of a line from Ayn Rand's legendary novel "Atlas Shrugged": "In any compromise between food and poison, it is only death that can win. In any compromise between good and evil, it is only evil that can profit."

Those who think Mr. Annan stands for peace and justice should take a closer look. You will find a chameleon willing to change to any color to strike that perfect deal -- that perfect balance consisting of a bit of freedom and a bit of terrorism.

There are no moral principles involved when Mr. Annan negotiates, just the focus on the compromise, the middle of the road. Mr. Annan should remember that staying in the middle of the road inevitably results in getting squashed.

David Lee
Melbourne, Australia