American hypocrisy exposed
I urge everybody to protest at America's hypocrisy on allowing a few countries to enrich uranium ("Five non-nuclear nations get US approval to enrich uranium", Gulf News, May 4).
What criteria have been adopted to ensure these countries will not misuse it?
What does the world, including Americans who believe in justice and freedom, have to say about it?
It is hard to believe a country that blames Iran and North Korea on the same issue is showing this kind of bias.
It exposes the xenophobic agenda
of Washington.
From Mr A.S. Hassan
Dubai
US flouting treaty
It is utterly disingenuous of the United States to claim the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty is being undermined only by the actions of Iran and North Korea ("Iran and N. Korea face US ire", Gulf News, May 4).
The United States flouts the terms of the treaty with its research into useable atomic weapons.
Further, all five permanent members of the UN Security Council are in breach of the treaty.
Oh, and what about Israel?
From Mr P. Sherlock
Dubai
Respecting values
I read the editorial on Press Freedom Day (Gulf News, May 3) as well as the articles written by Abdul Hamid Ahmad, Michael Stent, Daniel Bardsley and Bassam Za'Za along with extracts from the speech by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Information and Culture. They were excellent.
I have been reading Gulf News for the past seven years and I endorse the views expressed in these articles.
This is a neutral newspaper that sticks to all values. I wish Gulf News all the best in the future.
From Mr K. Raghavan
Ajman
Enlightening
Gulf News has made its mark again on press issues. It was an inspiring feature and goes to show how seriously Gulf News takes journalism.
The editorials were enlightening and thought provoking.
I would make special mention of Michael Stent's comment: "press freedom is about the search for truth and that is as serious as it gets".
Also the remark by Abdul Hamid Ahmad: "but the waters have remained stagnant".
It tells a sorry tale. A gagged press is the bane of a nation. The sooner the shackles are removed, the better.
From Mr N. Zaidi
Dubai
Inertia selling
I find Mr Ashish Khosla's response to Mr Middleton's allegations of inertia selling by Union National Bank ("Deceitful practice", Gulf News, May 3) astonishing.
Instead of apologising and promising to stop this undesirable practice, he ignores the complaint and discusses the benefit of competition in banking products.
This kind of dismissive attitude towards a justified customer complaint will not convince many people.
No reputable business would resort to inertia selling, whether the local law permits it or not.
From A Reader
Dubai
Name withheld by request
Bank can't impose
The issue is not about Union National Bank offering cheaper credit card insurance, but how it could impose this product without the customer's consent.
Mr Khosla makes it sound so cheap by saying customers can enjoy protection at 35 fils for every Dh100.
If it is so cheap, why not offer it free of cost to all customers? He says customers can unsubscribe to this service if they do not wish to avail of it.
Why should customers unsubscribe for something they never subscribed for?
From Mr D. Bhutra
Dubai
Unauthorised charge
It is good that once you contact the bank, it will reverse the transaction.
But are people aware we are paying interest (at least 25-30 days) for the unauthorised charge from the date of debit till the date of reversal?
I had such an experience with a bank that offered credit shield insurance for its credit card.
I lost interest for 20 days.
Cardholders should ensure that whenever a debit has to be reversed, the statement should have the date of credit reversal and it should be the same as that of the date of actual debit.
From Mr S. Balakrishnan
Umm Al Quwain
Unfortunate decision
How depressing to read Dubai Marine World will have a dolphinarium ("Dolphins to jump in Dubai", Gulf News, May 4).
Whilst vaunting itself as a progressive and modern society, and developing an economy based on tourism, the UAE has missed the point in this instance.
Dolphins are intelligent, gregarious mammals and should never be captured or confined, especially not for human entertainment and profit.
Unfortunately, the UAE seems to lag behind in demonstrating any commitment to animal welfare or conservation.
Cancellation of this plan might begin to restore some faith in the compassion for fellow creatures.
From Mr A. Gray
Abu Dhabi
Animals suffering
Why does Dubai need a huge new aquarium and dolphin habitat whilst hundreds of animals still suffer in their tiny cages in Dubai Zoo?
The construction of a new and larger zoo has been delayed for far too long.
Happy animals in large enclosures with space to run around and play with each other will attract thousands of people, both residents and tourists, than the present zoo.
When will the animals receive a small benefit of all the modern construction going on in Dubai?
"Unless we extend our circle of compassion to all living things, humanity will not find peace" - Albert Schweitzer.
From Mrs J.H. Eileen
Dubai
Improve zoo
I agree with the views in the letter "No money for zoo?" (Gulf News, May 1).
Although Dubai is striving to become the most modern, luxurious and desirable destination in the world, the Dubai Zoo is seriously lacking any part of this vision.
The municipality should understand that a large, animal-friendly zoo with healthy, playful animals in large enclosures with qualified caretakers would be a huge attraction for tourists and residents alike.
Before building a new aquarium or having a dolphin show, please consider the plight of the poor animals in the old Dubai Zoo first.
From Mrs J. Heid
Dubai
