Inappropriate conduct for a secretary of state

This is deplorable diplomatic conduct in any event, but particularly so in the Middle East, where the US is acting as a broker in the peace process. The Palestinians will not be impressed with this sort of conduct, as it might indicate to them that Hillary Clinton does not have the impartiality required of a peace broker.

In addition Secretary of State Clinton stated that "US support for Israel is unshakeable", holding her right arm to her heart. A silly statement considering the fact that the new Israeli government is bound to introduce right-wing policies that the US will find difficult to support. Moreover, making such a statement will, in the eyes of the Palestinians, make her impartiality in the peace process doubtful again. As a result, negotiations will once again not be successful.

Hillary Clinton does not appear to have the comportment or diplomatic skills required for the position of US secretary of state, and thus is bound to bring negative results for US foreign policy as a whole.

C CROFT

BANGKOK

Arrest Sudan president and Bush and Cheney too

I welcome the decision of the International Criminal Court to issue an arrest warrant for President Al-Bashir of Sudan for crimes against humanity in regard to Darfur.

Seeing that the ICC is so interested in equal justice and in the plight of the people of Darfur, maybe it should also issue arrest warrants for George Bush and Dick Cheney for their crimes against humanity in the US's illegal war in Iraq, and for the leaders of Israel for their recent inhuman invasion of Gaza. Then there would be free and fair justice for all.

G W FARROW

PHUKET

Weaker baht would stimulate exports and tourism

It is amazing to watch the central bank intervening in order to keep the Thai baht strong. Why would it do that, one wonders?

Although there is probably some pressure from importers, since roughly 65 per cent of Thailand's economy is derived from exports, you would think that the prevailing wisdom would be that a depreciating baht would be the best thing for the country. Not only that, but a depreciating baht would surely stimulate tourism. Many foreigners have been complaining, and from what I understand, cancelling their upcoming trips to Thailand, due to what they perceive to be an unreasonably high exchange rate. This stems in part to their own currencies' weakness, but nonetheless, it seems that a depreciating baht would benefit almost everyone.

So, the question is, why would the central bank intervene? Does anyone have a reasonable answer? Does the Thai government have a reasonable answer? Some of the most brilliant economic minds in Thailand have been calling for a deliberate weakening of the baht in order to stimulate exports and tourism, two of the hardest-hit sectors of the economy. So why is this happening?

MIKE MACARELLI

KOH SAMUI

Military needs to get its story straight

The US has admitted that it had a secret jail in Thailand for captured terrorist suspect. Army chief Anupong Paochinda insists the US had no such jail in Thailand. The Thai authorities were quick to deny the reports.

We read similar reports about the treatment of the Rohingya boat people, while the entire world saw pictures of the abandonment of them on the open sea by the Thai Navy. Army chief Anupong denied it and still does. The minister of foreign affairs and PM Abhisit also denied it, but later had to admit that probably there were some "incidents", which would be investigated by ... the military itself. But military officers have impunity and are above the law in Thailand, as we all know. So, it is business as usual in the Kingdom.

NICK

BANGKOK