Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Mr Hinnrichs’ letter (June 16) commending Alex Salmond’s decision not to meet the Dalai Lama smacks of Chinese government propaganda.
The same edition carried news of Chinese Olympic officials threatening to withdraw their athletes from training in Leeds, unless the city council stops the visit of the Dalai Lama to the Yorkshire Business Convention.
We must remember that China is the first and last empire. It long preceded Rome, has long outlived it, and still continues. The British Empire’s 300 years were a blip in comparison.
Historically, China has no greater claim over Tibet than over other peripheral states such as Korea, Myanmar, Vietnam and Mongolia. They were all vassals to the Chinese emperor.
The difference is Tibet has a tiny population occupying a huge area with rich mineral resources and could not resist invasion by overwhelming communist Chinese forces in 1950.
Basically, Tibet fulfils all the normal qualifications of nationhood.
China is well known for cheap goods, often welcome, and for her aggressive search in under-developed countries for mineral wealth to feed her rapidly-expanding economy not so welcome.
Smaller countries enter into a kind of economic vassal relationship with China. Not so well known, perhaps, is the fact that China’s military might is second only to the USA’s and the gap is quickly narrowing.
As long as China is governed by communists, whose track-record on human rights is appalling and whose penchant for imperialism, whether economic or military, is well-attested, it is most unwise to become too indebted or to disarm.
China will have a large part in constructing the replacement Forth Road Bridge. Our ancestors who ”wi’ Wallace bled” would be shocked to see us rejecting, for cold economic reasons, the call for freedom by Tibet.
We do not want to sell the soul of Scotland for a bridge and the loan of a couple of pandas. Alex Salmond, take note.
Hamish Robertson.Creag na Sith,Princeland Road,Coupar Angus.
A poor show by Leveson
Sir, – Lord Justice Leveson made a complaint to the Cabinet Secretary about comments made by Michael Gove saying in his opinion the Leveson inquiry may, in essence, affect freedom of expression.
By making this complaint the judge has in fact underlined what the cabinet minister was stating. I read he even threatened to resign over the issue.
Such petulance displayed by a person in such a high position is amazing.
What we need is more Goves and a lot fewer Levesons trying to smother one of the little freedoms we still possess.
Robert Finlay.6 Greenmount Drive,Burntisland.
Iceland show way forward
Sir, – In their hopeless search for solutions to their economic problems the Greeks would do well to consult the actions of the Icelandic people who were pitched into a similar catastrophe a few years back as a result of the devious workings of their bankers and the slavering greed of the many who swallowed their high interest bait.
Iceland has said ”no” to the international ”banksters” and rather than tolerate or reward these money lenders who got them into the problem in the first place has issued warrants for their arrest and nationalised their banking system.
Why do we hear nothing of this valiant response in the media?
Pulling themselves up by their bootstrings may be beyond the decayed, Periclean Greeks of today but by following the example of the self-reliant, Viking Icelanders they might have half a chance of escaping the fumblings of the ill-fated European Union.
Alastair Harper.House of Gask,Lathalmond,by Dunfermline.
No sign of any gratitude
Sir, – Why does the banking system have to be continually prodded or rewarded to assist our economic recovery?
When we bailed them out, there was surely a moral and social contract made. We did them a favour, but now that they are back on their feet, there is no sign of any courtesy or reciprocity.
These greedy rascals should be formally nationalised and their exploitation of society and business from their ability to create the money supply should be ended and an entirely new system created.
Malcolm Parkin.15 Gamekeepers Road,Kinnesswood, Kinross.
Better the devil you know
Sir, – John Campbell’s ”yes” view of the referendum is typical of SNP supporters, but, I hope, not his ad hominem go at Jenny Hjul and ”others of her ilk” (Letters, June 15).
He should consider: SNP independence does not offer any more democratic freedom than we already enjoy nor the badly-needed more effective control over politicians’ errant behaviour.
Instead, we’re told Scottish politicians are better. Trust us, we’re ”Scottish”.
But what a cunning political stunt to force a fundamental debate on secondary problems full marks to Alex Salmond there.
Until we know that independence will improve on the democracy we already enjoy and establish effective control of wayward politicians, surely the devil of the government you know is better than the devil of a government you don’t?
Andrew Lawson.9 MacLaren Gardens,Dundee.
Going too far
Sir, – It is perfectly reasonable to express strong opinions for or against Scottish independence, but John Campbell goes too far (Letters, June 15) suggesting unionists should leave Scotland in the event of a ”yes” majority.
This sends out a very negative message to all.
R A Wallace.Kincardine on Forth.
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