Readers' corner

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Mega fraud

Sir-- The expose of how the financial crisis is affecting Europe was much needed ('Prison of nations' Al-Ahram Weekly 12-18 March). American media is censoring this news of course. I had no idea that Spanish unemployment was 25 per cent. But then the Federal Reserve and AIG are refusing to tell Congress where the money is going. They know that the public will be shocked that a lot of it is going to foreign central banks to support the dollar as the major trading currency, something folks back home did not ever consider came with some obligations.

They also don't know that commodities are going to be the currency of the future. China and India have been buying huge farms in Australia, generally staying under the $100 million purchase price that requires government approval. They no longer want to risk not being able to buy food, or pay high prices in a shortage situation. They want to own the production, a smart move.

The world economy is being run by an international criminal syndicate using financial "mega fraud".

James Dean
Georgia
USA

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Care for the rest

Sir-- This analysis ('A tale of two expectations' Al-Ahram Weekly 12-18 March) takes a look at two opposing analytical expectations concerning the Middle East conflicts and points out that the elections of 2009 in Iran, Lebanon, Iraq and, perhaps, Palestine, could very well change the present dynamics. Which is why the writer predicts it is too early to make any proper analysis as to what to expect from the regional players.

I think you should blame the weakness of the Arab leadership for what is going on, as they have made their roles too dependent on the West. The truth is the Arab nations are not truly independent or sovereign and due to this they can be easily influenced to work against other Arab countries, which they should actually be working with if they care about their countries' collective interests within the interests of the region's people.

Turkey and Iran are both independent and sovereign countries in the region that will do what they believe to be in their countries' collective interests, while the Arab leaders will do what they believe to be in their own personal interests to remain in power. If Arab leaders would listen to their people more and serve their interests, they would not be losing their people's respect and admiration to independent and sovereign nations in the region.

The Arab people on the street are looking for real leaders to stand up for them and their rights to live free and sovereign, not ones who serve their own interests by serving the interests of Western nations and their ally in the region, Israel.

Marion Mourtada
Michigan
USA

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No Sarkozy impact

Sir-- One should take Sarkozy as he is. His words concerning the Palestinians, Jerusalem and the settlements won't have any impact, and even less consequence as was evidenced in his Knesset speech. He was clear that he will not insist on forcing Israel to do anything.

Once having put his critics in Algeria, Libya and Syria into his basket, Israel will care less to listen to what their good friend Sarkozy has to say.

Guenter Schenk
Strasbourg
France

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Visa predicament

Sir-- It seems that in the last few months the Mogamma building visa section has issued new rules regarding residency visas.

This will of course impact many thousands of foreign investors or residents at present living in the country.

The one-year non-touristic visa which everyone not married relied on to renew each year has now been withdrawn.

This has left all of the residents who have bought property here in Egypt with a major dilemma.

To be able to stay in Egypt now, non-foreigners must marry Egyptians to secure their future and gain the five-year residency visa.

Worried foreign residents and property owners who, when their visas expire, will have to leave the country because they do not meet the criteria.

Allison Elsokary
Cairo
Egypt