Sir, - Your editorial under this heading (December 19th) does not give the whole truth. There is a reason for everything. Part, at least, of the reason for the hostage taking is a reaction to the appalling conditions in Peru's gaols, well documented by human rights organisations, and also the apathy and corruption of its system of justice, which allows innocent people to be apprehended, tortured and to rot in prison, awaiting trial, for years.
A further powerful reason for spectacular action by revolutionary organisations (whose excesses I do not condone) is the fact that the overwhelming majority of poor people in this and other South American countries are getting poorer every year. This is due to a combination of neo liberal economics, corrupt and uncaring governments and the exploitation by multi national firms of countries such as Japan and the US.
President Fujimori has little enough reason to be commended, if his structural adjustments of the economy simply results in the rich getting richer and his people being held as hostages to the market. - Yours, etc.,
Woodlands Avenue,
Renmore, Galway.