April 2.

Your editorial states that Buthelezi, besides showing a reluctance to

participate in the forthcoming election, has an ''opposition to federal

South Africa'' (April 2).

I would argue that it is precisely his penchant for a federal South

Africa that explains his reluctance to participate.

The election is couched in terms of a future unitary state with little

real power to the regions, certainly not what Buthelezi has been used to

or probably aspires towards.

Stephen Wright,

24 Ayr Road,

Giffnock,

Glasgow.