Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – How very disappointing is the attitude of the SNP at national and local level to the visit of the Dalai Lama to Scotland.
It would appear they have bowed to pressure from Chinese representation to deny him the official recognition he should be accorded.
The Chinese Government is embarrassed every time the Dalai Lama is welcomed by governments around the world.
Ironically the world at large recognises free expression as a means of determining the destiny of nations, as seen in the break-up of the Soviet Bloc, and more recently the peoples of Czechoslovakia and Sudan have decided on separation.
A cornerstone of SNP policy is the democratic breakaway of the Scottish people from the rule of Westminster and a precursor will be the forthcoming referendum to establish support or otherwise for this objective.
Surely the SNP should be advocating a similar opportunity for the Tibetan people instead of turning a blind eye to violations of human rights occurring in that country?
Locally, Dundee City Council has a good record of promoting the cause of human rights around the world.
This was demonstrated by its award of the Freedom of the City to Aung San Suu Kyi, who has since spoken of how much such international gestures meant to her while under arrest in Burma.
The council has always united in the cause of human rights and it is sad to see this now at risk due to the misguided actions of the lord provost.
Any perceived gain for business in acquiescing to Chinese pressure not to recognise the Dalai Lama will be at the expense of the reputation of Scotland and the city of Dundee in the field of human rights.
The Dalai Lama represents the people of Tibet, and despite the continuing disgraceful behaviour of the Chinese authorities, remains a man of peace and reconciliation. The rest of the world would do well to follow his example.
Alex Salmond and Lord Provost Duncan should reconsider their positions in this matter.
Ronald Oliver.4 Lethnot Street,Broughty Ferry.
Still no further forward
Sir, – In May 2011 a large public meeting of 300 people gathered in Blairgowrie to voice their concerns over the future developments at Blairgowrie Community Hospital.
We were told that an investment of £700,000 was to be made at the hospital with work commencing in 2012.
At this meeting Sandy Watson, chairman of NHS Tayside, admitted that NHS Tayside had not been good in the past at community engagement but he stressed their commitment to future involvement ensuring that members of the public would be kept informed of any plans or future developments.
A focus group of 21 people was set up to help the people of Strathmore discuss and influence the improvement and design of local healthcare services. To date, according to NHS Tayside website, there have only been three meetings of this group the last meeting taking place in February 2012.
There is no information on the website of proposals for development, no timescales, no plans and no indication of general public consultation.
It would appear that there has been no great improvement in NHS Tayside’s record for community engagement and involvement despite Mr Watson’s commitment.
At the meeting in 2011 a member of the public is quoted as saying: ”Publish what you are doing, keep the public informed and we won’t have another meeting like this.”
Perhaps the time has come for another public meeting to voice the communities’ concerns for the future of Blairgowrie Community Hospital and lack of communication from NHS Tayside.
Rhona Kirkpatrick.Perth Road,Blairgowrie.
Nuthin’ like a guid greet
Sir, – There’s nuthin like a guid greet tae lighten most folks’ burdens these days. I overheard a typical conversational greet between dog walkers and others around Dundee:
”Rotten weather again!”
”Aye, it wid seem like summer’s ower.”
”Ach, aye, Eh’m richt fed up wi’ a’ this rain an’ wind, Eh’m told it’s a’ doon tae us makin’ a total mess o’ the climate wi’ a’ oor emissions!”
”Ach no, it’s the fault o’ this government. Oor brilliant politicians should pit a’ they turbines in reverse an’ blaw awa’ a this foul weather!”
Kenneth Miln.22 Fothringham Drive,Monifieth.
We would lose jobs anyway
Sir, – The Biased Broadcasting Corporation reports on the Fraser of Allander study that claims that Scotland might lose 50,000 jobs if Greece exits the eurozone and 150,000 if the entire eurozone collapses.
No mention, of course, that if either of these calamities occurred, Scotland would suffer whether in or out of the United Kingdom.
Further, if these levels of losses occurred in Scotland then losses roughly 10 times their scale would also occur in the rest of the United Kingdom. But then this information would not suit the universal antipathy to independence that prevails in the media.
We can, I’m afraid, look forward to increasingly hysterical and prejudiced reporting from the media for the next two and a bit years.
John Henderson.Roebrek, Linross,Glamis.
Does he forget?
Sir, – It was with astonishment that I read Murdo Fraser’s A9 demands (Courier, June 14). Does he forget that it was under the Westminster-controlled Scottish office of the 70s and 80s that this engineering folly was devised?
Maybe the blame for its deficiencies lies at the doors of the Conservatives and Labour and the unbalanced union they promote.
C. Laing.50 Moness Crescent,Aberfeldy.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.