Los Angeles Times

Saturday, July 26, 1997

I read with interest "Will the Past Haunt 'Tibet'?" (July 16).

It seems to me people are going to great lengths to prove their political correctness. That Heinrich Harrer was involved with the National Socialist Party in the 1930s, and perhaps the S.S., may or may not be a matter of fact, but at this late date, what is the point? Harrer spent the war years either in a POW camp in India or on the back roads of Tibet trying to escape. Making concessions as a young man in order to sponsor his climbing, start his career or otherwise make his way in the world was nothing out of the ordinary for an ambitious young man in Germany at that time.

That Harrer went through a conversion of spirit is the true subject. This man went to Asia with all the cultural and racial prejudice of his generation and country and experienced a true change of conscience. He has worked tirelessly for Tibetan causes ever since and has attempted to share his experiences with the world.

I have no illusions about the man he may have been. He was an active, athletic person who couldn't stand being caged. If anything, his book reflects the soaring of an individual's spirit, high adventure and service to the people of Tibet. He is not a war criminal, don't make him one.

KEN WINKLER

Los Angeles