Oil, oil, oil
From Mr. P. Salam, Kerala, India.
America invaded Iraq not to liberate the people but to control its vast oil reserves. Tony Blair once said: "We will not touch the oil, and America will not touch it."

But a UN resolution tabled by America and Britain gives them total control of Iraq's oil revenues.

Blair's foreign minister, not long ago, said: "Should the UN have a vital role to play in respect of weapons inspections? Yes." Donald Rumsfeld now says: "No role for the UN inspectors for the foreseeable future."

At the Belfast summit, Bush said, "The UN will have a vital role to play in Iraq." Now we learn the UN will have only an advisory function. American and British officials will make all the operational decisions.

Bush said: "We know that the regime has produced thousands of tonnes of chemical agents, including mustard gas, sarin nerve gas, VX nerve gas. It has a massive stockpile of biological weapons... capable of killing millions."

Now the White House official says: "You don't necessarily have tonnes of chemical weapons or biological weapons sitting around in Iraq."

Caring
From Mr. A.L. Barnett, Puyallop, Washington, USA.
As an American I know a little about the mindset of my fellow-Americans. The problems with the American perspective on the Middle East are simple. We are addicted to two things in this country, cars and television.

It is clear when I look out of my window that the traffic is unbelievable and noisy. Every day one of the major topics of conversation is some childish television programme the night before.

Wars overseas would be a lot less attractive if they weren't changed into glamorous television productions.

Most Americans have a kind heart and would protect your children just as much as ours if they were to see them fall in the street. We need to live within the means of our resources (oil and otherwise) and not expect to be entitled to buy the treasures of the world.

Competition
From A Reader, Sharjah.
I refer to Dr. Manohar's letter regarding expensive schools in the UAE ("Excessive" Gulf News, May 17). I agree that middle-class expatriates struggle to pay school fees, but the fact is expatriate pupils study in schools run by expatriates.

So who should be blamed? The unhealthy competition among the school managements is the foremost reason for the hike in fees every year.

Recently the trend has been to spend money on the infrastructure. Now I don't see any difference between some schools and shopping malls.

A school is not a place for entertainment, especially here where there are many other places to have fun. I wonder why the school managements don't take note of the infrastructure of UAE Ministry schools. It is according to the needs of pupils and suitable for the climate here.

Undoubtedly private sector education is commercialised so only managements can decide the fees. Let parents decide whether they need quality education from a private school where the fee is low or from a "mega" school where often there is no individual attention for their wards.
* Name withheld by request.

Internship
From Ms D. Brown, Sales and Marketing Manager, Clarendon Parker, Dubai.
I refer to the letter titled "Part time job (Gulf News, May 12). Clarendon Parker, as a recruitment company, is always looking for part time/full time candidates.

We recently had an exhibition stand at the Careers 2003 at the Dubai Airport Expo where we were promoting our internship programme.

We are currently in discussions with the Dubai Technology, E-commerce and Media Free Zone and hope to have the internship up and ready by this week, so for all those looking for internship programmes or part time/full time work then just go to our website: <www.clarendonparker.com>.

The press release was published in your newspaper ("Zone offers internships for college students" Gulf News, April 24).

Negative shots
From Mr. A.R. Anakkottil, Abu Dhabi.
News agencies seem to be so particular on producing humiliating photos from the Third World countries, for example, the one published in the Gulf News (May 21) of beggars. When there is a photo from the developed world, they show the brightest side of the society.

Are they trying to tell us that everybody in Europe, America, etc., are living in the seven-star luxury? Are they trying to tell us that they have no homeless people? No beggars? No prostitutes, etc.?

They should try to make a balance by often turning their lenses toward the numerous festivals, flower shows, carnivals and other marvellous scenes in the Third World.

Slippery
From Mr. M.A. Samee, Sharjah.
The footpath on Cosmos lane, Sharjah, leading to an inside alley is very slippery. Recently, I saw about 10 people slipping and about to fall on that particular patch.

The Sharjah Municipality should provide non-slippery bricks on that patch, and similar patches all over the city for the safety of pedestrians.

Dynamic show
From Mrs. P. Fernandes, Dubai.
Al Diyafah High School concert, held on May 8, was indeed a day to remember. The fragile movements of the young actors and their spontaneous actions speaks emphatically of the ability of the work of the staff behind the scenes.

Congratulations to all staff. More credit goes to the director of the show, Stewart Mascarenhas, under whose guidance the display created a scenic and exhilarating day to remember. He is an excellent director, who has the capability required. The fruit of his labour was very visible.

As a teacher for decades, I have seen scores of plays and am happy to profess that this scenic skill of pupils, created within me a memory, which will be forever.

The sway of pupils, their swift and dynamic movements and costumes speak of the ability of the director and staff.

Farewell
From Mr. L. Sharma, Al Ain.
Wasim Akram - the great man of left arm swing bowling - calls it a day. He delighted millions of his fans worldwide with his subtle but menacingly honed art that will be sorely missed.

He is a nice human being. The likes of Ashish Nehra (Indian left arm bowler) will always treasure Akram's invaluable advice to hone their skills.

Akram deserved a more honourable exit than the one accorded to him by his cricketing officialdom. I salute him and I will miss him for a long time.

I hope he gets the best of his newly acquired free time with his wife and children. He should be a commentator in future. Surely his comments on the field will be valued.