Aid Zimbabwe

The people of Zimbabwe have been celebrating the end of an era of catastrophic economic decline as the military have overseen what looks like a fairly orderly departure for Robert Mugabe.

The future now is in the hands of Emmerson Mnangagwa, provided the military allow him to become president, with the same powers as his predecessor. My concern is that Mr Mnangagwa is simply another Mugabe, bent on enriching himself at the expense of his fellow countrymen. In the meantime, the Chinese are standing back and allowing this to happen as their interests do not focus on democracy and the betterment of a country in faraway Africa.

The UK must make it plain that we expect not only a return to democracy in Zimbabwe, but its enforcement by South Africa’s neighbours to ensure that citizens of a former British territory gain from now on.

If the UK is to become a meaningful presence on the world stage, now is the time to start showing it.

ANDREW HN GRAY Craiglea Drive,edinburgh environmental credentials (“Liquid gas powered MV Glen Sannox launched on Clyde”, 22 November).

However, we understand that Scotland has no bulk LNG (liquified natural gas) capability, so the fuel will need to be trucked from the south coast of England.

Estimates reckon that a truck will be required every day to fuel the new ferry, adding to road congestion and contributing to the damaging environmental effects of usage of diesel-powered vehicles.

This is yet another example of Scotland claiming to be environmentally friendly whilst in reality exporting the pollution to England in exactly the same way as the back-up for intermittent wind generation is supported.

The public should not be misled.