Who is a terrorist?
From Mr. R. Whatmore, Abu Dhabi
Until December 2001, the rebels in Chechnya were, in the eyes of the west, freedom fighters. After Vladimir Putin sided with the Americans, the latter classified the freedom fighters as terrorists.

Robert Mugabe was a terrorist as long as he fought against Ian Smith's breakaway regime in Rhodesia.

Then he became a hero and prime minister. Now, he is a despot and a candidate for regime change.

Nelson Mandela was a terrorist until he emerged as President and is now revered as a statesman. V. Prabhakaran of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam and Yasser Arafat are the current "terrorists".

The Big Brother in Washington gives these definitions. One day they could be feted and lionised.

Right decision
From Mr. E.D.P. Dalisay, Abu Dhabi
Contrary to the views of Mr. Kepler ("Shameful", Gulf News, July 27), President Gloria Arroyo did the right thing by pulling out Filipino peacekeeping troops from Iraq and not sacrificing any of her people.

I applaud Mr. Kepler for remembering our history, especially during World War II.

I would be more pleased if he remembers the likes of Macario Sakay and General Gregorio Del Pilar, who were among thousands of Filipinos killed by Americans during the early 20th century and the subsequent colonisation of our country.

Naive
From Ms N. Eslit, Dubai
I refer to the article "Filipinos in UAE welcome release of de la Cruz" (Gulf News, July 21). I found Wendy Acsay's statement ridiculous.

Did she know what she was talking about when she said, "we can't stand with pride before the world"? Where was she when the events unfolded in the Philippines in the past six years? (Let's not go beyond that period).

I would like to believe that she is young. Or is it that she is unfamiliar with the history of the Filipinos?

Likewise, could she substantiate her statement "Say goodbye to freedom"?

Insure the riders
From Mr. O.P. Malik, Sharjah
I was shocked to read that Felix D'Souza spend 23 months in jail (Gulf News, July 22) instead of one month due to the death of his passenger and as he couldn't pay the diya (blood money).

It is not his fault as the vehicle's tyre burst during passage.

It seems the company did not insure the vehicle for driver and the passenger. Otherwise it would not have happened. Whose fault is this?

There must be a lot of people similar to Mr. D'Souza, who are still in the UAE jails. If the Indian Community Welfare Committee had not come up with a solution, he would have still been in jail.

The UAE Government should ensure driver and passengers are covered by insurance.

Credit where due
From Mr. P.A. Colaco, Dubai
I refute your statement that the amount of Dh30,000 came from St. Mary's Church. The credit should go to the communities that have actually worked behind the scenes and set the ball rolling to assist in Felix D'Souza's release.

It was the Konkani Community from Dubai and Sharjah and Indian Relief Committee, which worked as a team to secure his release. So the credit should go to the entire Konkani community.

To be precise, the contribution made by St. Mary's Konkani Community (St. Mary's Church, Dubai) was Dh13,000 and the balance of Dh17,000 came from Sharjah Konkani Community (St. Michael's Church).

Editor's note: Our News Editor states that the Head of Indian Community Welfare Committee gave our reporter the details which are available on the consulate website. Gulf News has no responsibility towards the complainant because we have derived our information from the victim as well as the major fundraiser.

Animals in poor conditions
From A Reader, Dubai
I refer to the article "Summertime blues hits zoo animals" (Gulf News, July 23). Let us give credit to the zookeepers for trying to make the zoo animals as comfortable as possible during the summer by spraying them with water three times a day.

But, is this a life for any animal?

It amazes me that these animals are kept in such poor conditions - cement cages with bars. Dubai is full of state-of-the-art buildings and technology, but its zoo is still in the Dark Ages.
Name withheld by request

Call Feline Friends
From Ms M. Churchward, Abu Dhabi
The photo of Jehangir feeding and handling the stray cats on Hamdan Street was a welcome sight (Gulf News, July 22). It restores one's faith in human nature.

Bravo to him!

I hope he gets in touch with Feline Friends 02-6655297 regarding the sterilisation of these cats, for them to carry on leading their lives.

Cats without a "v" sign on their ears, meaning they are neutered, are rounded up from time to time, never to be seen again.

Saving animals
From Ms D. Severino, Dubai
Thank you, Gulf News. Through your wonderful newspaper, you have saved Tequila the chimp from a life of misery and slow-death.

Please keep up the good work, so that the public is aware of the plight of all the battered and defenseless creatures relying only on us to help them.

Case in limbo
From A Reader, UK
I am in a situation similar to the Indian woman divorced in the UAE but not in India (Gulf News Online, July 26). I am from Britain, was married in the UAE and now live in Britain.

My husband obtained divorce in the UAE but British authorities cannot tell me if the documentation is acceptable unless I apply to remarry.

Meanwhile, my husband has remarried and is living in England where the law permits only one wife. He is divorced but my case is still in limbo.

The British court will not issue a British divorce as one has already been done in the UAE.
Name withheld by request

Charge for visits
From The Management of eCompany, Dubai
We refer to Mr. Cozen's letter ("Incompetent" Gulf News, July 11). After having contacted Mr. Cozens, he realises that the problem occurred in the operating system of his own PC.

eCompany charged the customer as he requested the visit due to the changed operating system. He was informed at that time of the charge.

We have explained to him that technicians' visits are charged if the problem is with the customer's own equipment and not with our service.