Readers' corner
History of failure
Sir-- When it comes to issues of genuine international concern, such as Iran's President Ahmadinejad in tandem with his nuclear programme, sometimes I find myself wishing that America's neo-conservatives were right about the magnitude of American power. But these neo-conservatives would be wise not to forget even this small sampling of modern history's salient and humbling facts: that the US was not able to stop either the Soviet Union or China from acquiring nuclear weapons; could not prevent the USSR's post-war takeover and occupation of eastern Europe; could not stop China from becoming Communist in 1949; could not make North Korea surrender in the Korean War (even with 50,000 US soldiers dead); did actually lose the Vietnam war to tiny North Vietnam (with another 50,000 US soldiers dead); could not prevent Cuba from becoming Communist in 1959 or the Bay of Pigs from floundering in 1961; could not prevent the crushing of the Hungarian revolution of 1956 or Dubcek's Czech "Spring" of 1968; could not rescue the American hostages in the US Embassy in Iran; could not prevent India or Pakistan from acquiring nuclear weapons; could not create a successful world order of peace and prosperity after the implosion of Soviet and East European Communism in 1989; could not (so far) create an Israeli-Palestinian peace; could not catch either Osama Bin Laden or Taliban leader Mullah Mohamed Omar or even assuredly keep the Taliban from retaking Afghanistan; could not even remotely succeed in Iraq, and for that matter could not prevent Israel from claiming Jerusalem as its capital and pouring 450,000 of its settlers over the Green Line, both of these also against American wishes and policies.
There are limits to American power, so consider the low likelihood of US success at destroying a multiplicity of secret, dispersed, buried and bunkered Iranian nuclear sites.
James Adler
Massachusetts
USA
Slight of hand
Sir-- The international community prefers not to buy into another false claim by the US concerning Iran's nuclear intentions ('From Ahmadinejad to Bush', Al-Ahram Weekly 18-24 May). The truth is now known to us all. Just like Iraq, all the talk about Iranian nuclear activities is a smokescreen for something else. The most likely explanation is a combination of US strategic interest in Iran's natural resources and containment of China and Israeli interests. Not to mention, neo-colonialism interests coupled with political domination as the principle reasons for wanting to invade other countries.
Drena Jan
London
UK
Could have been better
Sir-- Thank you for your thoughtful article on Iran's nuclear energy ('Carrots and sticks', Al-Ahram Weekly 18-24 May). If other Arab intellectuals think rationally as you do and stop being the puppet of the empire, and if we all stand shoulder to shoulder together as Arab and non-Arab and compromise on our petty differences and don't allow outside forces to divide us and pit us against each other, we would have been in a much better position. As long as we do not push for unity we are going to be vulnerable.
Kayhan Kayhani
New Jersey
USA
Free at last
Sir-- The Kurds have suffered too much and too long ('Still failing', Al-Ahram Weekly 18-24 May). This is their first chance to be free and build something new. They are the last people to deprive others of their rights.
Emad Mazouri
Michigan
USA
Equal before the law
Sir-- The Egyptian constitution does not distinguish between religions. Article 40 affords equal protection and rights to all citizens, and should be a matter of great pride to Egyptians. That Article 2 establishes Islam as the religion of the state and a source of law does not preclude general freedom of religion and worship, and should in no way threaten the rights of minorities. Whether the Bahai faith is considered a sect of Shia Islam, or an original religion meriting its approximately six million adherents, why should the world's billion Muslims be threatened by this religion? As for the alleged links to the government of Israel, these claims are absurd and demonstrate the unfortunate ignorance of those who repeat them. The Bahai prophet was exiled to Akka during its rule by the Ottoman Empire. Lands granted to the Bahais were also transferred during this period, predating the British Mandate and the creation of Israel. There is no relationship between Zionism and the Bahai faith. Bahais share, along with so many religions, a sacred relationship with certain sites that fall within Israel.
Matthew Feldman
New York
USA
Singing elsewhere
Sir-- In Amal Catta's review of Cairo Opera's Don Giovanni ('Playful killer', Al-Ahram Weekly 18-24 May) it was painfully obvious how she disliked the production. It is all too clear that the company, which contains a number of potentially world class voices, is suffering under terrible leadership.
For those who don't know the opera, the fatal blow in the review was dealt to the casting of the role of Leporello, Don Giovanni's servant who sings more difficult music and performs more stage acrobatics than the title role itself. Catta didn't even mention the singers who performed the role. And rightfully so: Emad Adel is years from vocal or theatrical preparedness for a role half this size, and is very unlikely to be any time soon. His co-cast, Elhamy Amin, while excellent as an actor and singer, could not be heard over the orchestra at all since Leporello needs a bass voice, while Amin is a high lyric baritone, if not a closeted tenor. So the question which remains is: Where is Ashraf Sewailam? If you google his name, you'll find that Egypt's only true, and accomplished, bass-baritone is enjoying an international career all over the United States. He is the only singing actor who can do this role justice (Raouf Zaidan who created the role in Arabic is a lyric baritone and should be singing Don Giovanni, not Leporello). Sewailam, Dalia Farouq, Amira Selim, Georges Wanis, and Zaidan, and more on their way. The Europeans and Americans get to have them, but we never, or seldom, do. Of course they are lucky not to have to perform under such abysmal production circumstances, but with a different management they can be lured back to contribute to a more prosperous Cairo Opera Company.
Samy Selim
Virginia
USA
Fine new taxis
Sir-- I am very surprised that you don't welcome the new taxis, since the black and whites often are harmful for your health and safety ('The truth about yellow', Al-Ahram Weekly 4- 10 May).
Many -- as do many buses and mini-buses -- have damaged exhaust pipes adding to pollution far more than necessary and thus causing health problems for all people living in Cairo -- for example causing the high number of children with cancer. Ill-kept cars and reckless drivers increase the risk you take when using black and white taxis. And last but not least: for a foreigner a ride with a yellow cab is usually cheaper than with an old taxi, because many taxi drivers ask for a ridiculously high price as soon as they see light skin. With the yellow cab you face none of these problems. I do agree that some things aren't working yet perfectly, for instance the call centres. But this happens all over the world when you start a business. I wish the project much success and am sure it will be good for everybody in Cairo in many ways.
Susanna Kiehling
Cairo
Egypt
Poison plan
Sir-- I understand that Egyptian veterinary authorities in Cairo have announced a campaign of poison against cats and dogs despite the fact that animals organisations have a spaying/ neutering project and despite the fact that they proposed several times to cooperate with the vet authorities and police to tackle the problem of strays in Egypt. I urge you to take immediate action to permanently halt this cruel and unnecessary campaign against innocent dogs and cats.
We are mindful of the issues and problems posed to a community when there are large numbers of stray animals. Nevertheless, the price paid by innocent creatures is unacceptable in a civilised society.
Eva Lambrecht
Brussels
Belgium
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