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Published on December 12, 2007

The auditorium seems to have been mainly empty, with few delegates present - obviously away enjoying the delights Bali has to offer. These delegates were sent to Bali at considerable cost to their country's taxpayers or charitable donors. How strange that the organisers selected such a luxurious, upmarket destination.

If there was genuine concern for the poor countries that ultimately suffer from the effects of climate change, might they have chosen instead a meaningful example such as Bangladesh? Such a country would have benefited from the massive investment necessary to stage such a conference as well as the servicing of the hundreds of delegates attending.

Liz Spring

Chiang Mai

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Punish PPP if guilty; but no witch-hunt

I fully agree with Election Commission (EC) chairman Apichart's decision to investigate how 5 million CDs with campaign speeches by ex-PM Thaksin, seeking to sway votes in favour of the People's Power Party, came to be distributed. Even if made before the royal decree announcing the election, its distribution now seems to break the ban on Thaksin's participation in the electoral process.

But, given the Council for National Security's strong anti-Thaksin stand and the huge stakes at risk in this election, the EC's investigation and verdict must be above suspicion as to its impartiality. We must not only have an election; it must be seen to be credible and represent the will of the people. This cannot be done if the PPP is dissolved based on what is perceived as flimsy evidence or an incomprehensible ruling. As in a court, the defendant must be seen to be guilty beyond reasonable doubt if it (the party) is to be punished.

Let justice not only be done, let it be seen to be done.

Burin Kantabutra

Bangkok

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US should interfere again in Burma

Re: "SPDC 'Comical Ali' no cause for mirth", Editorial, December 9.

I enjoyed reading your recent editorial describing Brig Kyaw Hsan as Burma's "Comical Ali".

Brig Kyaw Hsan is well known as Burma's equivalent of "Baghdad Bob". His boss, Than Shwe, is often compared to another "Bob" - Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe, who also destroyed a once prosperous nation.

Both these Bobs cannot deal with the truth and are terrified the US Army may play an important role for the third time, in restoring freedom and democracy in Burma.

The first time the US Army played an important role in Burma's freedom was in 1945 when American intelligence officers facilitated Aung San's secret meeting with General Slim of the British Army. The American intelligence officer assigned to the British Army told me several British officers wanted to arrest Aung San and put him on trial as a war criminal. The American intelligence officer firmly told his British counterparts that "Aung San has been given a safe conduct pass and was under the armed protection of American troops". The meeting between Aung San and General Slim went well and facilitated Burma's transition to independence in 1948.

The second time was in 1949, when the Rangoon government almost fell when a large number of troops from the Burma Rifles (including an entire Burma Rifles battalion) joined the communist rebellion and Rangoon was defended by units of the Kachin Rifles, Chin Rifles, Gurkha troops and Ne Win's 4th Burma Rifles.

During this 1949 emergency, the Rangoon government was broke and was unable to pay the full salaries of government civil servants. The American Embassy in Rangoon made emergency arrangements with General McArthur's American Occupation Army in Japan to purchase Burmese rice. This large shipment of rice played a major role in saving the Rangoon government.

I am confident that the US Army will play an important role in the national uprising in 2008.

Myint Thein

Bangkok

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Push on with fast-track education for achievers

I wholeheartedly endorse the "school-based management" concept envisioned by Dr Somkiat Chobphol, deputy secretary-general of the Office of the Basic Education Commission (Obec), to enhance the accelerated learning potential of gifted students, organise support for improved allocation of resources, and to expand skills development options for proven and effective model schools.

This same type of progressive, innovative thinking should be extended to maximise self-access discovery experiences at magnet-style IT computer enrichment centres, with local officials, educators, parents and students participating in needs assessment, decision-making, long-range planning and establishing viable priorities which best serve to create civic-minded future leaders.

Dr Chanchai Prasertson

Bangkok

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Abuses continue unabated in Iran

Muhammad Atif Ali paints a pretty picture of Iran which, unfortunately, differs markedly from reality.  Amnesty International has been pointing out human rights abuses in Iran for years. The threats of execution of men and women by stoning and the fact Iran is the "last official executioner of children" are just two of many types of human rights violations in that country; a country whose unbalanced leader wants to "wipe Israel off the map." 

Human rights abuses against the Baluchi minority continue unabated as does the government's jailing of students, journalists and others who dare protest; as does the government's campaign to restrict what people can wear and how they can wear it. 

Publications are closed down and journalists jailed or threatened. And don't even ask what would happen to a Muslim woman in Iran who would like to change religions. Perhaps the Iranian ambassador will do his best to fight the many human rights abuses in Iran or to at least admit they exist.

Dean Barrett

Bangkok

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Thailand in danger of losing out to competitors

Re: "Nowhere to go but up for economy", Editorial, December 11.

One of the biggest single domestic risks to Thailand, beyond the upcoming election, is the messy and unresolved foreign nominee issue.

Here Thailand needs to swiftly get its act in order, or business will move to Vietnam and other competitors. China is eager to outsource to Thailand but not without this key issue solved soonest, and favourably.

The delay on this has been going on for too long, and too much foot dragging has stalled any progress. If this does not get addressed pronto by the incoming elected government, the country will start losing its competitiveness and be left behind for a long time, or even for good. 

Growth rates will drop off faster than most people will realise and so will Thailand as a competitive country in the global village.

Paul A Renaud

Geneva, Switzerland

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