What's the point?
I wonder why cross-subsidising tariffs would be against the pricing policy of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) ("etisalat and du face TRA flak", Business, Gulf News, February 20). After all, healthy competition between the two operators will help their customers. What is the point of having another telecom operator if they cannot reduce their tariffs and rates? This is the way they compete with their rivals and benefit the customers. As long as it is a healthy competition, I think the TRA should not intervene in such matters.
From Mr Murtaza Shamsi
Ajman
Customers first
I have never heard of preventing monopolistic companies from reducing prices. Why is the TRA preventing phone companies in the UAE from entering a price war that will benefit the ordinary consumer? They should concentrate on allowing internet telephony, which has been promised several times in the past. They should also reduce unreasonable tariffs such as Dh100 renewal fees for Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) cards and reduce international call tariffs in the UAE, which is among the highest in the world. Other countries allow competition to reduce prices of services as it benefits consumers.
From Mr K. Thiyagarajan
Abu Dhabi
Goodbye Castro
I would like to salute now retired Cuban head of state Fidel Castro for his long leadership, which I am sure was an intelligent decision made for the good of his people ("Post-Fidel era dawns in Cuba", Gulf News, February 20). There is no doubt that one can be an autocrat and still be accepted as a leader for almost half a century. Unlike many leaders in the Third World, Castro served with good intentions and always thought of his people first - this is partly why he won the loyalty of the Cubans.
From Mr Reagan Byaruhanga
Uganda
More on Kosovo
The recent comment about Kosovo was very interesting to read ("Kosovo has taken a historic step", Gulf News, February 20). There are a lot of people who are interested in reading about the birth of this new nation. Kosovo brings the list of independent nations in the world to 195. The country is supported by Western nations, but Serbia and former ally Russia oppose its new plan as an independent country. I know that I would definitely like to see more about Kosovo and its future in Gulf News.
From Mr George Abu Saba
Dubai
Cure the incurable
There are many new, drug-free remedies for ailments that are sweeping the world today ("Listen to music to recover faster from strokes", Gulf News, February 20). I have no doubt that music can help one recover faster from a stroke, just as I believe a cure for cancer will soon be found. I recently heard that if one repeatedly plays or listens to the music note 'F', it helps the patient overcome cancer. For all the sceptics out there, when people have nothing to lose, wouldn't they try even the most radical method if there were a chance it could work?
From Ms Caitlin Duff
Dubai
Taking control
People talk of having control over their lives, but little do they know that most of them are not in full control because - believe it or not - the media is actually fuelling our actions ("TV song provokes her to set fire to herself", Gulf News, February 20). Setting yourself on fire to prove your affection because you saw it on TV is preposterous. The media dictates everything we eat, wear and do - even our beliefs. Withstanding the pressure of media's influence is an amazing feat and, if you have mastered it, you will be able to accomplish much in life.
From Mr C. Rudd
Dubai
Wrong car
My colleague had the same experience as the letter writer Mr Amlanjyoti Basu ("Rightly worried", Gulf News, February 19). He was driving on Shaikh Zayed Road at 100 kilometres per hour when a car zoomed by. Since my colleague was near the radar, it was his car that got clicked, and not the true offender. When he found out he had received a fine, he went to Dubai Police and explained the situation to them. They were very cooperative; they looked at the picture where they found the car speeding past and cancelled the fine. I suggest that Mr Basu do the same.
From Ms Rakhi Ved
Dubai
Bad sign
The low percentage of voters in the recently concluded elections in Pakistan shows that the majority of voters are not confident in the elections ("Pakistanis have spoken", Gulf News, February 20). This is a bad sign for the democratic country. The parties need to rally support if they want to restore peace and stability.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Right to continue
President Pervez Musharraf need not quit his post after the elections ("Observers see tough time for Musharraf", Gulf News, February 20). I believe almost 60 per cent of his potential supporters have not voted, fearing violence from opposition parties. Moreover, no party has managed to gain an absolute majority on its own. It is a hung parliament and Musharraf has every right to continue.
From Mr Ahmad Ebrahim
Bangalore, India
Challenge
The recent comment on worldwide poverty reminded me of the Malthusian theory of population, which claims that a population explosion can dry up resources and lead to a standstill in existence ("Global poverty can be overcome", Gulf News, February 20). The article however, proved that the welfare of humankind is sustainable even if there is an increase in population. While there may be a population surge, there are resources available, too. The challenge is that mankind should be able to manage them sensibly.
From Mr Salim M. Panthodi
Abu Dhabi
Win-win
The report on contractors hiring Vietnamese staff underlines a win-win situation for all parties involved and is a sign of progress towards World Trade Organisation (WTO) stipulations for labour forces in civilised countries ("Bahraini contractors opt for Vietnamese staff", Gulf News, February 20).
Firstly, this is a win for Bahraini contractors who can obtain their desired category of skilled labourers at a much lower price, and it is also a win for the Vietnamese labourers who will make their mark in the region.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
