Reader's corner
Paradoxical issue
Sir-- In the 17-23 issue of Al-Ahram Weekly the editorial advocates the idea that the revolution deserves to survive and that its survival is based upon foreign aid from abroad. Moreover, it claims that "we [Egyptians] should give it a chance to do so."
Nonetheless, Sajida Tasneem in 'Democracy, Egyptian style' is serious about rejecting any "humanitarian help from the West [even] in the form of UN resolutions, condemnations by world leaders, sanctions, arms embargoes, NATO no-fly zones, bombings, invasions, or any other assaults on national sovereignty.
In addition, the writer sees Egyptians as less than appreciative of such help because of, as she claims, their awareness of the hypocrisy and ill-will of the West.
I think the writer is trying to isolate Egypt and Egyptians from their worldwide context and prepare an Iranian-like state or another North Korea that helps to demonise the already black picture of the axis of evil. We cannot let that happen to the Egypt we love and know.
Mohamed Qasem
Qena
Egypt
Britain and Bahrain
Sir-- Re 'A clean break' ( Al-Ahram Weekly 24 February-2 March) you write, "Even the Shia uprising in Bahrain is more about an oppressive neocolonial monarchy, originally imposed by the British, than about Shia-Sunni hostility". Actually, it wasn't originally imposed by the British but used by it. The British approach was to find puppet rulers who could almost stay in place on their own, so they would be dependent from needing outside support but cheap to maintain from not needing much outside support. That meant they often got in precariously on their own rather than being imposed, if only to show that they had some resources of their own. In the particular case of Bahrain, the dynasty was in place before the British presence became material.
Peter Lawrence
Arizona
USA
Millions and millions
Sir-- Obama states he sent millions to Egypt. Who did he send it to? What does he think you will do with it? And most of all, where does our government keep getting these millions to send to other countries? They tell us we are broke, but they are cutting help to people in this country. Some of the state governors are increasing the amount of tax on gasoline up to 10 cents a gallon which further rapes the people in this country. It is a proven fact that Americans pay dearly for the decisions of our government. It's time to bring our politicians to a screeching halt. We need to make them hear us loud and clear. No more weapon sales to any country, no more money to finance wars and dictators. It is past time to build this country's economy again. We are no longer the strongest country.
Rebecca Ann
Maryland
USA
Will the US protect Gaddafi's tribe?
Sir-- Is the coalition prepared to fight both sides? If the Libyan rebels advance into Sirte, the home of Gaddafi's Al-Gadhadfa tribe, and begin to take vengeance, will the US, Britain and France attack the rebels? Where do Hillary Clinton, Susan Rice and Samantha Powers stand on protecting all civilians?
Are amateurs once again blundering into a complex situation with simplistic solutions? Are the American, British and American publics prepared to fight everyone in Libya?
Matthew Nasuti
Massachusetts
USA
Al-Ahram Weekly reserves the right to edit letters submitted to Readers' Corner for brevity and clarity. Readers are advised to limit their letters to a maximum of 300 words.
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