Sailing in dangerous waters
The saga of Mr and Mrs Rupert Wise who were taken prisoner by the Iranian Navy near Abu Mousa (Gulf News, Tabloid, November 16) brings back memories of a similar incident that happened to my friends and me in July 1985.
We had steamed out of Jebel Ali on my motorboat and went to Abu Mousa for a day of fishing. As we approached the island, we were apprehended and questioned by Iranian officers. Eventually by sunset they let us go.
Maybe because I had my young son and nephew on the boat they might have decided that we could not be a danger to them. All boaters should steer clear of Abu Mousa.
From Mr Y. Shalabi
Dubai
End result of expansionism
I refer to the news item "US admits phosphorus use in Iraq" (Gulf News, November 17). What else can be expected of the US, the only user of the atom bomb and the one-time supporter of Taliban, Osama Bin Laden, Saddam Hussain and the many others of their likes?
Obituaries, for the dead of 9/11, are offered on a daily basis, even after four years of its occurrence, giving an impression that Americans are a nation that value life. Where is Americans' conscience when thousands of people are brutally killed, each year, largely as a result of American expansionism?
From Mr A.H. Munshi
Dubai
Leader of secular party
In his article "Common man hopes for normal Lebanon-Syria ties" (Gulf News, Online, November 15), Duraid Al Baik made a small mistake, but it is important to clarify it. General Michel Aoun is Christian by birth not by political choice.
He heads the first modern secular party in Lebanon with a popular base that breaks the sectarian boundaries. His political stances encompass the aspirations of the Lebanese people of various sects.
From Mr C. Abou Diwan
Cleveland, Ohio, US
Liberation hero
In the article "We will not support Damascus in its fight against UN, says Aoun" (Gulf News, Online, November 15) you have mentioned, "Lebanese Christian leader Michel Aoun". He is not a Christian leader.
As a Muslim, I consider him the liberation hero and am so proud that at last we have a leader who has the ability to manage a sovereign country. He is the founder of the Free Patriotic Movement Party which is a secular party whose mission is to set up a secular system in Lebanon.
From Ms M. Ferekh
Beirut, Lebanon
Irrelevant
General Michel Aoun is the leader of the Free Patriotic Movement, which calls for a secular Lebanon. I fail to see how the reference to the Christian term in your article could have any relevance.
If you were only trying to say he is Christian by faith then by all means this is irrelevant and in a country such as Lebanon where sectarianism is at its maximum, this could lead to your readers thinking that Aoun is a sectarian leader calling for the benefits of Christians only, which is not the case at all.
From M. Yahfoufi
Beirut, Lebanon
Advice for safety
It was a great shock to read the news item "Clinic finds patient has Aids after treatment" (Gulf News, November 13). It will be in the interest of all if the name of the clinic is published so that those who went there for dental check-ups can have their blood tested for the virus. It is now the responsibility of the clinic to inform all its patients and conduct the blood test.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
Be careful
Why should the clinic "hit the panic button" and the doctors worry about their welfare and that of their patients if they were careful and followed the standard precautions?
My sister and her husband are practising dentists in Africa. They are careful that they use disposable and well sterilised equipment.
Clinics should not wait for patients to tell them they have the HIV virus. Patients may not know for years that they have the virus. I would be pleased to read the next time that severe action was taken on this clinic and its doctors.
From A Reader
Sharjah
Name withheld by request
Name and shame
Your report about the raid by Ras Al Khaimah Municipality on food processing companies was incomplete (Gulf News, November 11). From a newspaper of your standard, we expect a better coverage. You should have mentioned the companies' names and brands they market to shame them, and for the public to avoid using their products.
Surely, after a few days, they will restart their activities in full swing. Foodstuff distribution companies are more dangerous than terrorists.
From Mr M.C. Thomas
Sharjah
Target market
In the article "Authorities crack down on streetwalkers" (Gulf News, November 11), I was surprised to see the sentence, "However, virtually everyone involved in this activity is here on a visit visa."
Really? What about those utilising the services of the streetwalkers? Are they all visitors too? I think we often forget if there isn't a market, the product won't exist.
If Dubai is attracting streetwalkers, maybe it is because there is a demand for them and if this is the case, the authorities should focus on addressing its causes and not the symptoms.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Daylight harassment
Women are harassed, even in broad daylight, in Abu Dhabi, especially on the Najdah Street, National/Elrado cinema area.
Recently, my wife was walking towards the taxi station when a man walked up to her and asked her to go with him to his flat. She was shocked! She was in decent office attire. When she shouted at him, he ran away. The police department or the CID should crack down on such miscreants and punish them.
From A Reader
Abu Dhabi
Name withheld by request
Find fault
I refer to Mr Khawaja's letter ("Worthless insurance", Gulf News, November 6). He should first verify the extent of insurance coverage offered by the store. After that he should lodge a complaint with the consumer department about unjust enrichment by the store due to non-compliance of its contract.
From Mr A. Dwivedi
Dubai
Stop a cab
Instead of trying to book a Dubai taxi over the phone, when it was important to reach the airport, Mrs Hawksford ("Unreasonable rate", Gulf News, November 17) could have just walked to the road and flagged down tens of taxis that pass by.
From Mr N. Sadhwani
Dubai