Readers' corner

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Instinctive Georgia

Sir-- Concerning 'Caucasian calculus' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 27 August-2 September) the author is right to say that Russia does not want a repetition of 1914. But neither does any other European democracy and that is precisely the miscalculation which undid the Israeli lunatics' plan for Georgia. Once it became clear that the European members of NATO were not, under any circumstances, going to support Georgia, the whole manipulation came unstuck. Indeed, at that point, what the rest of Europe wanted was, precisely, that Russia should give Georgia a thrashing both to scupper its chances of joining NATO and to remind Saakashvili of the basic rule of modern European political culture, namely, that there must never again be war in Europe. By pointing to 1914, your story has highlighted the pragmatic political project that underlies the entire European integration movement. Like it or not, Europeans are coming together and are united by an instinctive determination not to repeat the deadly mistakes of the 20th century. The one thing Europeans hate more than each others' guts is the thought of their own guts spilled out on the roadway! Georgia was a lovely example of that instinctive reaction at work.

Michael Kenny
New York
USA

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Disney Luxor

Sir-- Referring to 'It just gets better and better' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 27 August-2 September) the two beautiful houses adjacent to Luxor Temple are being demolished. One has been converted to house the National Democratic Party, the other is still owned by the original family. Both are magnificent examples of Egypt's heritage. Like the Winter Palace, they look imposing, both close up and when admired from the west bank.

During our visit to Luxor in February, we were lucky enough to be given a guided tour of the NDP building, which in spite of the conversion to offices, is/was still grandiose. Over the years, we often conversed, in her perfect French, with Madame Elodie, one of the sisters still living in the private house. This has been kept unspoilt over the century of its existence, a living museum to Egypt's history.

It would appear these two irreplaceable buildings have to go because they are in the way of widening the road, and may have archaeological remains under them. If these reasons are valid, part of Luxor Temple also needs to go!

Mark Charlwood
Glasgow
UK

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Devils in heaven

Sir-- I found out recently that the staff in the Australian Embassy in Egypt are inefficient, incompetent and unqualified. My young nephew, an Egyptian national, wanted to visit Australia to see his relatives, some of whom he has never seen, and to enjoy the scenery. He comes from a prominent and well to do family and all indications showed he has to return to Egypt so that one day he can take over part of the family business. Yet a member of the staff, of Jewish faith, concluded that he might overstay his visit in order to remain in Australia. This is definitely very far from the truth. I fail to understand how this member of the staff reached such a conclusion unless prejudice and discrimination were involved.

Australia is close to paradise in many aspects but the staff in the embassy are devils.

Edward Balcaban
Sydney
Australia