Readers' corner
Think of the other
Sir-- I'm very impressed with the Egyptian people and officials cooperating with Ethiopia ('Egypt's Nile Valley policy: setbacks and opportunities' Al-Ahram Weekly, 19-25 May). I like Egypt and Egyptians more than at any other time and more than citizens of any country. I never thought Egyptians are like this! When we cooperate, we feel responsible and hence will never do anything harmful to either side. Ethiopians should think for Egyptians and Egyptians should think for Ethiopians. After all, we are all Africans; we have to help each other, grow together. We are happy when we hear Africa is taking the momentum of world economic growth next to China and India. So, how can we fail to help each other to lift Africa? Our politicians should work hard for the benefit of our people, not for the time span of their power.
Haben Asgedom
Addis Ababa
Ethiopia
Egypt first
Sir-- I read about and watched on TV some of the post- revolutionary problems Egypt is experiencing and it's shocking but not totally unexpected. But now it is urgent to get a grip on the situation before it is too late and it remains standard and is accepted as normal.
That's why it is surprising that the interim PM Essam Sharaf takes time to visit other countries, worries about Hamas and Fatah, sends delegations here and there, attends inaugurations in Africa, etc. All that can be deferred for some months. All the other governments will understand that the problems within Egypt have to take priority. The only business of the current administration right now should be: No 1 Egypt, No 2 Egypt, No 3 Egypt.
Marcus Weiss
Frankfurt
Germany
A win either way
Sir-- Re 'A kind-of silver lining' ( Al-Ahram Weekly, 14-20 April), the Libya intervention and possible terrorism in Europe in the long run is win-win for Europe. Because Obama has dithered, European leaders will blame the inevitable failure of the Libya fiasco on an American "lack of commitment" to Europe, thereby undermining the American argument that NATO exists to "defend" Europe. Terrorism always makes the "European Street" back off from Israel and the US (remember the Madrid train bombs)? Public opinion here will blame the US for getting Europe into the mess and blame its own leaders for "following" the American lead. Terrorism will draw Europe closer together, reminding us all that we have to stick together to survive (ie the cement which hold the Swiss together in spite of the fact that they fight like cats and dogs internally) and thereby strengthen the EU. Europe can't lose!
Michael Kenny
New York
USA
Their best
Sir-- 'I went because I needed to go' ( Al-Ahram Weekly, 19-25 May) gratifies the heart to see that so many people want to do as much as is within their power to help our Palestinian brothers. My prayers are with them. Many thanks. May they continue in this campaign and may they succeed.
Zafrullah Domun
London
UK
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