In the last several months, we have heard a lot of rhetoric about the justification of war. The question in everyone's minds is "Why are we fighting this war?" Some individuals have already made their decision and are resolutely proclaiming aimlessly the "real" reason war is going on (like those described in Michael Bell's Jan. 28 column.)

Let's step back and examine the apparent facts. President Bush has stated that we are fighting a just war to liberate Kuwait which was ruthlessly invaded and pillaged by Saddam Hussein. Are we actually fighting for justice or for justice when it's convenient?

Right away it puzzles me why we haven't amassed our army, air force and marines on the border of India whose occupation forces are killing on the average of 100 Kashmiris (Muslims and Hindus) per month because they participated in unarmed rallies.

What makes the lives of Kuwaitis killed by Iraq more valuable than the lives of the 47 civilians who were killed by Indian Security Forces while marching in an unarmed funeral procession? (May 1990 facts from a report by a non-Muslim Indian human rights organization.) Nothing. They were normal human beings just as valuable as you and me. I mourn for these individuals and am grieved by these huge losses of life. That's why it's so important we hold true to our stated ideals.

If President Bush says we are fighting for justice, let's fight for absolute justice around the world. We should be demanding the liberation of the people of the West Bank and occupied territories who are being oppressed by Israel; we should be demanding the immediate end to apartheid from South Africa; and, as I have mentioned, we should pressure the government of India to give Kashmiris their right to be independent; and we should demand the liberty of the many nations and people who I have not mentioned as their freedom is just as important as ours.

I'm not opposed to war if it is the only means remaning nor do I defend Saddam Hussein's actions which I think are wrong. I just have to say: If justice must be done, let it be absolute.