LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Violence is never the answer when politics causes divides

I write in reference to your article Venezuelan president blames Colombia for ‘assassination attempt’ (August 6): the recent drone attack, allegedly designed to assassinate the Venezuelan president, Nicolas Maduro, warrants international condemnation. The claims of Mr Maduro that the perpetrators of the attack were Colombian were interesting and surprising, as was the fact that a mysterious rebel group later claimed the failed attack. However, both claims will need to be investigated and ultimately to be proved.

Today, as in the past, attempted assassinations of political leaders are concerning and such acts should be eradicated. Who can forget the terrible assassination of US president John F Kennedy? In the polarised modern world, where conflict is rife, safety and peace are more necessary than ever. Disagreements over ideology and politics are normal and important but violence is never the answer.

K Ragavan, Bangalore

Why is Tehran intent on creating chaos in the region?

I write in reference to your powerful article Divided, marginalised: how Syria’s war split occupied Golan Heights (August 4): this is most unfortunate. I still wonder why Iran has chosen such a wrong path of creating more problems and chaos in the Middle East. Iraq, Lebanon, Syria and Yemen are all suffering due to Iran’s interference. Why doesn’t Iran simply pursue peace in the region? It could help bring it about if it wanted to.

Name withheld by request

Parlez-vous francais? Not on the airwaves you don’t

The modern UAE is a cosmopolitan country with a rich mixture of cultures and languages. I am a francophone and my daughter studies at Abu Dhabi Lycee Francais.

However, there is no French radio station, despite the enduring importance of the French culture and language. It would be great to see such a project set up, ideally with the co-operation of the French embassy in Abu Dhabi, the Alliance Francaise, which shares the same building and even the many French schools in the country.

Given that most other languages have their own radio stations in the UAE, I see no reason why French should not. Hesham Elrafei, Abu Dhabi

There’s the rub: conscience won’t make cowards of us

Please refer to your article Denmark issues first fine for

wearing niqab (August 5): this is simply crazy. Suffice to say this is Islamophobia in full swing. I never thought that Denmark could sink to this level. Something is certainly rotten in the state of Denmark. Name withheld by request