‘Rangel Backs Tax Loophole’

The United States Virgin Islands Economic Development Commission Program is not a tax loophole as Meghan Clyne states in The New York Sun article “Rangel Backs Tax Loophole for the Rich,” but rather is a congressionally authorized program designed to attract new businesses to the U.S. Virgin Islands, create jobs for our people, diversify the economy, lessen our dependence on the federal government, and narrow the income gap between our residents and those on the mainland [Page 1, March 2, 2006 ].

As a result of new business investment in the U.S. Virgin Islands, since my administration began seven years ago, we now have now become one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean. We have even produced a budget surplus in this fiscal year that will enable us to spend more on rebuilding schools and other important infrastructure improvements.

I deplore tax abuse. The U.S. Virgin Islands Legislature and I have taken this issue head on. In that regard, I recently signed local legislation in the U.S. Virgin Islands that prevents abuses to the program. Over the past year, we have worked closely with Congress to ensure that the tax rules allow legitimate businesses to operate successfully in the Territory.

We are not asking Congress for anything more than fair and reasonable residency and income rules for our Economic Development Commission Program.

In so doing, Congress will not only be joining us in limiting any possibility of tax abuse, but also will be encouraging economic development to flourish in our great territory.

CHARLES W. TURNBULL
Governor
United States Virgin Islands

‘Carter Seeks Vote Against U.S.’

I also attended Jimmy Carter’s speech to the Council on Foreign Relations on Thursday, and in one important respect your account is seriously misleading [“Carter Seeks Vote in U.N. Against U.S.,” Benny Avni, March 3, 2006,”].

Mr. Carter did not “attack American Christians who support Israel.” He criticized some American Christians, specifically right-wing fundamentalist Christians who oppose all territorial compromise (even in Gaza) and who either want to convert all of the Jews or prompt Armageddon by collecting them all in one place and immolating them.

For a born-again Christian to make such a comment was indeed news, but hardly in the way you present.

DAVID MARGOLICK
Manhattan

‘Three Die in Pakistan Riots’

In all the fury by the Muslims and others in Europe and the United States over the cartoons of Muhammad, we have forgotten the outrage perpetrated by the Taliban Muslims when they destroyed a colossal image of Buddha [“Three Die in Pakistan Cartoon Riots,” Foreign, February 16, 2006].

As far as I can remember, there were no riots or destruction of property by people of the Buddhist faith.

GERALD SCHWARTZ
Tarrytown, N.Y.