Madam, – One can hardly blame ordinary American citizens for venting their immense pleasure at the news that US special forces had located and killed their archenemy, Osama bin Laden, in a compound in Pakistan. However, engaging in overt displays of jingoistic triumphalism – albeit an entirely understandable reaction – will only play into the hands of al-Qaeda and other extreme Islamic organisations. A dignified and low-key response to the news of the killing would have been preferable to the conspicuous vengeful outpouring of emotion that Americans are currently engaging in. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – Col Gadafy woke up this morning certain in the knowledge that sooner rather than later he will be killed. The death of Osama bin Laden in a mansion on the outskirts of Islamabad would confirm that for him.
Col Gadafy is entitled to ask one question. What did he do inside the last two years that he hasn’t done since he took power 40 years ago that so enraged the US and Britain? It’s not so long ago that the Scottish Assembly gave a fig leaf of cover to the release of the Lockerbie mass murderer Ali al-Megrahi back to Libya and his colonel.
This was at the behest and backing of the British government.
The West – ie the UK and the US – tell us that they are in Libya to free an oppressed people from the tyrant Gadafy. True, but he has been a tyrant for as long as he has been in power.
Why then treat him and Megrahi so differently in the recent past? Bin Laden was once a friend of the West – they armed him originally.
Col Gadafy was an enemy and then a friend of the West. Now he is next for shaving. Soon he will join bin Laden in front of a greater tribunal. Will that end terror and make the world a safer place? Perhaps if we ask the citizens of Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast and the Congo we might get an answer. – Yours, etc,
A chara, – I was sickened by the rejoicing in the streets of what is meant to be a civilised society in the US at the news of the death of bin Laden. When I see this in the Middle East it dismays me. I am no fan of bin Laden. What next, I ask myself? – Is mise,
Madam, – While it is hard to deny that justice has been served with Osama bin Laden’s death, my concern is that many will feel that it is all over now – that the West has won the war against al-Qaeda and that we can now abandon Afghanistan.
This is far from the case. Osama’s death will have little more than symbolic significance, al-Qaeda having become more and more formidable with each passing year.
The West is committed to state-building in the Taliban-ravaged nation of Afghanistan and has a duty to bring it to a conclusion. Every nation deserves the right to govern themselves in peace. – Yours, etc,
Madam, – To crossword fans, he will always be remembered as Le Bad Man In USA. – Yours, etc,