Shocked and dismayed

Sir-- This letter is in response to Joseph Ferrara whose letter 'Pay attention' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 May) deeply horrified and saddened me.

To Joseph I have just this to say: You need to wake up and stop living in your dream world. It is people like you, who swallow every line of twaddle that the Bush regime spews out, that are making this country so repugnant and so dangerous. I don't know if I'm more ashamed of and sickened by Bush for what he says and does, or of you and those like you, who buy it eagerly.

Anyway I pray to be saved from all of you.

Jeannie Bronshtein
Pennsylvania
USA

Gunslinger justice

Sir-- If Washington is to prove its war motives, there needs to be transparency in the process of learning what the captured Iraqis know. We must ensure that POWs are not coerced into serving the political needs of the Bush administration. It is a disgrace that the US media have shown little interest in the location, legal rights and treatment of these high-ranking prisoners of war.

What is the situation, for example, of General Amir Saadi who surrendered on 12 April after telling German television he did not believe Iraq had possessed weapons of mass destruction for some time? Of course, he could be lying, but after being held incommunicado for weeks under the authority of an administration that has shown no respect for due process in its war on terror, can we trust anything he says from here on out?

If the former Iraqi elite are suspected of war crimes, it would seem all the more compelling to turn them over to an international tribunal to investigate impartially and return a judgement that the world would accept.

Otherwise, Uncle Sam appears to be nothing more than a hanging judge, roaming the world in search of convenient villains on which to impose a crude form of swift, but unsavoury, gunslinger justice.

Linda Caprini
Paris
France

Bad guys again

Sir-- A recent Associated Press report noted that "expected intelligence from senior captured Iraqis who might have been most knowledgeable about the government's secrets is not materialising".

This has irritated the petulant Bush, who complained: "We're learning that, for example, Tareq Aziz still doesn't know how to tell the truth. He didn't know how to tell the truth when he was in office, he doesn't know how to tell the truth as a captive."

That is the language of a bully who holds all the cards and yet suspects they still might not produce a winning hand. If, in the end, Iraq is not shown to have had truly threatening weapons, it will be Bush who stands exposed as one who didn't know how to tell the truth.

So what that Aziz is a loathsome fellow, that just makes it all the more depressing to observe that the facts on the ground in liberated Iraq seem to back in the hands of the bad guys.

Mona Abdel-Aziz
Abu Dhabi
UAE

In reverse

Sir-- This was the world's first reverse war: the outcome was pre-determined; the reason for it will be sorted out later.

Tareq Ali
Kuwait City
Kuwait

Conspiracy tales

Sir-- In 'The burning of Baghdad' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 May) Anouar Abdel-Malek neglects the significance of a rather important distinction between the looting of Baghdad's National Museum and the looting of German art museums by the victorious Soviet Army. The difference is that Baghdad's National Museum was looted, not by American forces, but by Iraqi civilians. It is perfectly understandable that some Iraqis, impoverished after years of isolation under a brutal and corrupt regime, and in the fearful and lawless atmosphere of a just- conquered city, would rush to seize anything of value -- including priceless antiquities.

America's Armed Forces should be harshly criticised for their failure to anticipate this, and to deploy forces to protect the National Museum and Library. They are, indeed, being so criticised, not least by the American press and public.

But Mr Abdel-Malek's implication that the US invaded Iraq as part of a secret plan to steal its ancient treasures departs the realm of serious political writing, and enters the realm of heat-addled fantasy.

I picture Mr Abdel-Malek seated at the rear of a hazy Cairo café, a drooping cigarette clutched between nicotine-stained fingers, spinning his delirious conspiracy tales for all who are willing to listen. Fortunately, I believe, not very many are.

Matt Steinglass
Hanoi
Vietnam

Looking ahead

Sir-- I think everyone knows and agrees that the American military didn't show concern for protecting the precious inventory of the Baghdad Museum.

But instead of beating a dead horse, the energies of all interested parties should now be focussed on how to trace and recover as many as possible of these items.

Rames Haas
Texas
USA

Plundered riches

Sir-- We've heard a lot that the aim of this war is to overthrow Saddam's regime. But I was highly stunned when the Anglo-American troops could put the capital under siege and leave it to looting, rampage, vandalism and plunder.

Is their target to sabotage the whole country socially, economically, politically and ethically or to show that Iraqi people are a mob?

Actually, it's concrete evidence that invaders are indifferent about the people's interests and lives. They left the matter in the hands of bums toying with people's lives and the country's wealth. They also left Iraqi civilisation and heritage to be violated. So we call on the world to do something to save Iraq and its history.

Sameh Fandy
Cairo
Egypt

In the eye of history

Sir-- Emperor Julius Caesar still gets bad press for trashing the Library of Alexandria, although this is somewhat mitigated by arguments that the true culprit was Patriarch Theophilus or possibly Caliph Omar. With a bellyful of whiskey and repeated hammering of official excuses, I could stretch my imagination like a blob of latex and try to believe the gang rape of the Baghdad National Museum caught Centcom off guard, but then the National Library too?

Well, the Geneva Convention holds the occupying power responsible for law and order and this time there is no doubt about its identity. Americans worship their Constitution, yet allowed the theft or perhaps even destruction of the Western world's first Constitution ever. So you see why I say Western "world" and not "civilisation".

President Saddam Hussein reportedly once said he didn't care what the media said of him today, but did care what history would say 500 years from now. He will have gotten that angle right.

Arthur Borges
Xiangtan
China

Veto reasoning

Sir-- It is interesting to see how the US president in his address to the UN General Assembly on 12 September, 2002, delivered the warning that not going per the desires of his administration would make the entire world institution "irrelevant".

Now we find the Bush administration is suddenly using the term "unreasonable veto". UN records (available on the UN Web site, www.un.org) show that from August 1983 until the end of 2002, the US has vetoed 41 of 47 resolution drafts. In 31 of the 47 cases, the US was the sole country voting against proposed resolutions, and in 11 cases the US veto killed proposed resolutions despite of and against the unanimous will of all other Security Council members. Of course all this does not represent "unreasonable veto".

An unreasonable veto, according to the US, is that France, Russia or China would vote against an immediate war because the Bush administration found it unreasonable to try to avert a war, spare the lives of thousands and give more time for the peaceful disarming of Iraq, especially after the work of the UN weapons inspectors was giving results.

Hassan Fahmi
Cairo
Egypt

A wastrel's war

Sir-- We must try dispassionately to understand what led a Yale/Harvard graduate to ignore public opinion, the UN Security Council and various other influential voices to embark upon such a mission. How do you explain such behaviour from a man steeped in the patrician liberalism of a wealthy and powerful East Coast Episcopalian family?

Of all the presidents in recent years, George Bush has tried hard to show off his so-called impeccable credentials, typical of the American upper class. His cultural milieu but supercilious demeanour is vastly different from the efficiently intellectual carpetbaggers like Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan or soothsayer "accidental" like Lyndon Johnson, very smart and God fearing Jimmy Carter and the profoundly more intelligent and charismatic Bill Clinton.

Why, of all people, would George W Bush launch a "war" (White House euphemism for genocide) against an unfortunate country like Iraq? Among the most credible explanations is the personality of the man himself. Despite his blue-chip New England upbringing, Mr Bush was somewhat of a wastrel until his 40th birthday in 1986 when he said "goodbye Jack Daniels, hello Jesus," according to one report.

The New World Order that Mr Bush envisions is about taking out inconvenient regimes, pretty much like Herod when he -- as preemption -- executed newborn male infants with military force. Mr Bush is seen, by and large, as an aggressor whose violent doctrine of preemption awaits the judgment of history. In his language Bush is close to Osama bin Laden, hence both are fundamentalists always speaking about God and are sure that God is on their side.

The Bush preemption doctrine seeks to affirm the dominance of the US and its equally rich and powerful allies. We seem to have come full circle. It is now abundantly clear that the American invasion of Iraq is the denouement of Lord Jesus's doctrine of non-violent liberation. What the Lord of Christian belief began, Bush has decisively repudiated a whole two centuries later, when he decided to be "born again" and through the mystery of politics became leader of the present super-power.

Nadhir Dean
Ontario
Canada

Pushing and shoving

Sir-- All I wish to say is that the American people gave peace a chance and we got 9/11. The world does not need tyrants such as Hussein who make it an unsafe place for everyone.

What the Arab world does not understand is that if something threatens the American freedoms, well you can only push so far until we shove back.

Erika Lello
Texas
USA

Robber barons

Sir-- Sadly, the free press in America has been bought out by special interest groups and your paper is welcome as another perspective.

The Bush era of "lining the pockets of friends" with plundered booty whether from Iraq or from the working poor of America has reached a new height.

Both America and Iraq are seeing a robber looting as the rich in the military industrial oil complex get richer and moral rot sets in.

Ann McCoy
New York, NY
USA

Trailer trash

Sir-- The Dixie Chicks are the latest victims of the tiniest minds in our society. The inventors of Freedom Fries and Freedom Toast have a new bludgeon to use against their most feared and despised enemies: Those who would actually exercise their constitutional rights. Why should we be surprised? Isn't this what Right wing Fascists have always been about? And emboldened by recent events, they have now been given a broader platform for their shrill, fanatical bleating.

The real problem here, is that a more virulent strain of this fascist, knee-jerk trash has lately emerged. They aren't just to be found slithering out of their trailer parks and backwoods snake pits anymore with cheesy little American flags pasted on their pick-up trucks. Because of the ethno-political nature of the current world conflict, their vile, putrid intolerant venom is being embraced by a certain Zionist power elite in the national media and being promoted into a mainstream agenda. And these fascists who wrap themselves in the American flag while they conduct themselves like the intolerant commies they really are, disgrace the heritage of true Americans. They would be better off if they moved to Red China where there is a society more in sync with their own philosophy.

In years past, this type of brain dead filth would have simply been exposed as a caricature of itself in the media. Now, it's being given credibility by fascist info-tainment organs like Fox News, Clear Channel, MSNBC and others. This loony, right wing pond scum isn't just a source of passing amusement anymore. It's dangerous; more dangerous to democracy, freedom and American values than Bin Laden or Hussein could ever hope to be. As Tim Robbins said: "There's a chill wind blowing."

Paul Revere
New York, NY
USA

Science and tolerance

Sir-- 'Breaking the closed circle' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 May) is thought provoking. To have a balanced view and thereby make genuine progress in today's society, this type of introspection is required. Most of the people of the world have duly criticised the US/UK-led crude destruction and invasion of the ancient land of Iraq. The aftermath of the same remains uncertain and frustrating. But if at all any lessons are to be learnt from this tragedy, it is only that the same is never repeated ever again.

The people of all cultures have to understand that nothing is greater than scientific development of all the nations. Science, technology and the mutual respect and dignity of all individuals irrespective of their colour, religion, gender, nationality and social status have to be incorporated in the education system of all the countries which are underdeveloped by modern standards of living. So far, the undeveloped countries have only indulged in politics of control over their own people using religion as a tool. The result is imperialism and dictatorship of some kind or the other.

It is time for all to think if this is really in the long term interest of human kind, be they of any background. Is it better for a mediaeval time religion to dictate living terms to space-age human race? What would have been the face of Middle East and other countries if women were more educated and working on a par with the men? Maybe a society using religion only as a guide book to deal with only the moral issues of life is desirable to space-age mankind. The rest of the human development should be based on science, technology, deeper understanding and tolerant co-existence among all the races, religions and genders of this world.

This article needs to be read widely in Saudi Arabia, Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and African countries besides the rest of the world. Although much has to be done to realise the required changes in the stagnating societies of the underdeveloped world, such articles can be an eye-opener for all.

Chandita Roy Choudhury
Singapore
Singapore

Recipe for peace

Sir-- There is growing accusation and suspicion between the Western world, particularly the United States, and the leaders of many Middle East nations with regard to Iraq. The Arab/Muslim world has reason to be suspicious of American and British intentions. Yet, this is entirely counter-productive at this time of great uncertainty. It is true that American "liberation" of Iraq should not become an occupation, yet there needs to be stability to ensure humanitarian relief reaches the Iraqi people and the hope that Iraq can ultimately be brought back into the community of nations. One does not want Iraq to descend into anarchy and chaos. It will take patience and time by all stakeholders in this situation to ensure a peaceful transition for Iraqis.

However, "real" democracy is also a much needed necessity in this part of the world if we are to witness any kind of peace and stability in the region. The citizens of the Middle East must renounce religious extremism and embrace democracy, freedom and justice, and open market economies if we are to make any kind of progress in our world. There must be mutual respect, tolerance and understanding if our world is to bridge the gap between cultures, religions and civilisations.

The growing gap between rich and poor nations must be bridged before it is too late. The UN and the Security Council need to address this concern and make it a major priority. There must be a bridge between the Arab/Muslim world and the Western world. The oil rich Arab nations must be encouraged to help their poor Muslim neighbours. Foreign aid and investment must be increased by all developed nations. Western business, corporate and political power cannot continue to exploit the people and resources of the developing world especially in Iraq at the present time. Disease, hunger, famine, homelessness and dire poverty must be addressed by the UN and its various agencies. America, Britain, and the EU must do more to make our world more stable and secure.

Unless there is cooperation and development, peace will be fleeting at best.

Derek Stratton
Brantford
Canada

By definition

Sir-- I am curious about the use of the phrase "so- called terrorist" groups when referring to Hamas, Hizbullah, etc. in your publication.

The use of suicide bombers to attack civilian targets seems to fit almost any definition of a terrorist I can think of. Have these groups not claimed responsibility for such acts?

If there is another definition of terrorism you use, please let me know.

Rick Harrell
Redlands
USA

Arab shame

Sir-- Sitting in India, a country where there are so many languages and religions and yet we live together and will sacrifice anything for our nation, it is hard to believe that a people who are ethnically the same will help and support, in fact enable, an ex-colonial power to destroy a sister nation, massacre its people, loot its cultural heritage and openly lay out plans to plunder its resources. In short, to recolonise an Arab country.

If there is one reason for which I thank God, it is that I was not born an Arab to live in shame for the rest of my living days.

Ashok Rao
New Delhi
India

Perspective from here

Sir-- I don't know how Americans can give themselves the right to criticise us Arabs after what they have done. They commit the crime and blame it on us. Wasn't it the US that first took Bin Laden into its arms and taught him the arts of war; wasn't it the US that sent Iraq weapons of mass destruction so they can fight Iran? As for the present, isn't the US giving Israel weapons which they use to kill scores of Palestinians every day?

I think the US can be charged as the top sponsor of terrorism. It is a shame how they brainwash Americans in the US; I feel very sorry for them. One more thing, whoever fights for their country and rights is not a terrorist -- fact.

In response to John Corcoran's 'Young minds' (Al- Ahram Weekly, 24-30 April), I advise you to look at yourselves before you start looking at others and criticising them. You were saying that we, Arabs, were the ones who looked at the world in only one way -- our way. But, isn't that logical since you yourself just looked at the world from your perspective? Why else would you have called the Arabs hateful, distrustful liars? Anyone looking at the world from a different view would not have called us that; so please think in your head before you put pen to paper.

Another thing, the way you criticised Shaden Shehab's column 'This will not happen to us, right mom?' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 10-16 April) reflected a very ignorant and illogical approach. Maybe if the US gave Palestine weapons like they do to Israel then we wouldn't be teaching our kids to tie explosives around their waists. We are merely fighting for what is ours and what belongs to us and to do this is the honour of any Arab.

Rana Salem
Cairo
Egypt

Future vision

Sir-- 'The two Americas' (Al-Ahram Weekly, 1-7 May) is one of the best articles I have read for a long time. It reminds me of warnings that were given out over Europe and in Britain too when Mein Kampf was written, signalling the rise of the first madman.

I fear that your article is prophetic, so you have to ensure that it is read around the world by as many as possible. For my part, I have taken the liberty to send it on to friends of mine in different countries.

Thanks for a great service to those of us who care about humanity.

Middleton Wilson
Miami, FL
USA

Better horizons

Sir-- As I was walking down the corridor in my faculty, I noticed the article 'Beyond the horizon' (Al- Ahram Weekly, 17-23 April) about Dr Mustafa Kamel El-Sayed hanging on the wall. I am one of those who are not only privileged to know Dr El- Sayed in class, but also who considers herself fortunate enough to have known such an enlightened and inspiring professor such as Dr El-Sayed.

In this day and age when the current crises facing our nation makes the youth fragile, Dr El-Sayed is a unique example of those who can guide you on your way. He strengthens your belief in your ideas and tells you they can materialise as long as you are determined to reach your goal, and have confidence in your capabilities. All in the quest of developing your society and bringing justice to its people without any form of discrimination.

Dr El-Sayed is someone who is above praise, for no one can ever pay him his due, but I am only writing this letter to express my deep gratitude and appreciation for everything he taught me in class, which will always guide every step I take in my life when I am no longer in his class.

Radwa Khalil
Cairo
Egypt