Ominous signs of a bleak future
From Mr. S.R. Khan, New Delhi, India
The latest developments in Iraq convey the wrong signal to Bush and Blair
as violent resistance by Iraqis against the invading army is escalating.

It will continue to do so if the American policymakers do not listen to the voice of sanity. No nation, as history records, tolerates an alien regime dictating terms for long.

The result will be more devastating; first, attacks in the name of preserving law and order vis-à-vis counter attacks; second, massive human rights violations, which will make the situation worse.

While Bush and Blair are busy preparing plans to justify the war, Iraqis are suffering like Vietnamese who had to bear the wrath of the U.S. for more than 14 years. Peace will never be achieved this way.

Conquest for vanity
From Mr. J. Castelino, Dubai
The world is experiencing American hegemony, but who is responsible for this? The world's problems are due to a few people with vested interests or ideological differences.

These people breed loyalists who in turn organise and drive their agenda to innocent and poor masses by inculcating false teachings or feeding negative information.

Whether it is a government policy, company reorganisation, war or invasion, it is always the people in the lower stratum who are affected and suffer the most.

The poor are used like sheaves on the threshing floor to be beaten until the grains are gathered into the treasuries of the rich and the politicians.

Let all the leaders of Third World nations spend their time and resources uplifting the poor by investing in education, building infrastructures and raising the standard of living of its people to be on a par with western nations.

Where were they?
From Mr. A.M. Abdul Gafoor, Dubai
Mr. J. Smith ("Picture the other side", Gulf News, July 19) asks where Gulf News reporters were when Saddam was committing atrocities against his people.

The answer is very simple: they were taking pictures of American senators praising Saddam and of Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with him and attending Baath tea parties while providing Saddam with satellite intelligence and WMD technology.

I ask him: where were the Americans when Saddam was executing his opponents in the sixties? Where were the Americans when Saddam was murdering Kurds in the Seventies?
Where were the Americans when Saddam was slaughtering Iranians in the eighties?

Where were the Americans when not a single day passed in the Gulf in the eighties without a terror attack planned by Saddam or his supporters? We know where we were: we were kept silent because the U.S. forced us to be silent.

Spare the troops
From Mr. M. Prasad, Abu Dhabi
It was indeed a very wise and good decision by the Indian government to reject America's request for peacekeeping troops in Iraq (Gulf News, July 15).

This decision by the Indian authorities will definitely strengthen the long-standing diplomatic relations of India with the Gulf countries.

Costly delivery
From Mr. T.R. Nambiar, Dubai
The recent increase in maternity charges will come as a big crunch for many people in Dubai as the cost of living here is going up every day ("New health service fees approved", Gulf News, July 16).

Rents, water and electricity tariffs and medical treatment expenses are high and it would be helpful if the government reconsiders and reduces its fees.

Moreover, fees should be different for women who have more children as the overall expenses are much higher.

Bitter pill
From Mr. J. Mathew, Dubai
The news that the government is increasing medical charges for maternity came as a big shock for so many people in Dubai. It is not because the rates are so high and beyond the reach of ordinary people, but because it will take effect immediately from next month.

Those expectant mothers who are less than six months pregnant and who cannot afford to pay such high fees have the option to go to their home country for delivery.

But those over six months have no other option (they are not allowed to travel by air) but to find money somehow to pay for the new services.

This will affect especially those who are not employed. As an affected husband, I request the government to consider this and give at least three months for the new rates to become effective.

Filled trips
From Mr. K.V. Shamsudheen, Dubai
I refer to the article "Dubai buses to carry passengers from Sharjah" (Gulf News, July 17). This is a very important decision taken on the transport front of the UAE. I applaud the Dubai Transport Corporation and Sharjah authorities for signing an historic agreement.

At present hundreds of taxis commute between the emirates, most returning empty which is a waste.

If the authorities of the emirates find an amicable solution to take passengers on the return trip by private and Dubai Transport Corporation taxis, the total number of commuters can manage with half the number of taxis.

It will help reduce traffic and pollution, giving productive utilisation of fuel and manpower.