Sir, I would suggest that the opening sentence of any British statement of military doctrine should read: “Only a fool would invade, or go to war with, Russia.”
The complex and brutal history of south-western Russia cries out for internal, self-settlement of the current crisis between Russia and Ukraine, with western powers and the United Nations staying out of it.
My solution to the Ukrainian situation would be to create either a federal, two-part country or have complete separation between ‘western’ and ‘eastern’ Ukraine. (Some of the former used to be part of Poland, anyway, with its urban centres of Tarnopol and Lvow).
Russia needs its Black Sea bases and will fight for them whether against the Ukraine and/or others as well.
We British have been to Russia (1919-20) and the Crimea before and, as with Afghanistan, it was not a happy experience. (We got Mary Secole and Florence Nightingale from one and nothing from the others).
The lessons of history.
AT Geddie. 68 Carleton Avenue, Glenrothes.
This bill will come at price
Sir, The CriminalJustice Bill containing a clause abolishing the requirement for corroboration in criminal cases was passed by the Scottish Parliament by a very narrow majority.
The Justice Secretary, Kenny MacAskill, the principal proponent of that clause, has been quoted as saying: “Scotland’s legal system, as it stands (with the requirement for corroboration), is denying access to justice to possibly thousands of victims a year”.
If the requirement for corroboration is indeed abolished, the Justice Secretary presumably expects that all the cases involving these thousands of victims each year will be brought to court.
As such cases will depend on the sheriff or jury accepting either the word of the alleged victim or that of the accused, it seems highly probable that the greatmajority will be defended and proceed to trial.
May one assume that the Justice Secretary has confirmed with the Finance Secretary, John Swinney, that the necessary funding will be available to pay for the large number of extra prosecutors, not to mention sheriffs and judges, who will be required to try these thousands of cases?
I suggest that this is only one of the many good reasons for Parliament to reject the abolition of corroboration when it again has the opportunity to do so, when the bill returns after being again considered by the justice committee.
Alastair Stewart. 86 Albany Road, Broughty Ferry, Dundee.
Unsurpassed arrogance
Sir, In an act of unsurpassed arrogance, Kenny MacAskill, in company with his nodding party minions, has managed to railroad his controversial legislation on corroboration a step further, albeit by only three votes; and despite the advice of the Scottish Judiciary, at the same time accuse his opponents of being part of a Better Together conspiracy.
He thus has the dubious distinction of sharing with Alex Salmond and Nicola Sturgeon the talent of knowing it all and possessing the ability to disregard advice from others of greater knowledge. The world now can be regarded as out of step with those currently at the helm, never the other way round.
Pity us all, in the event of a yes vote, to be at the mercy of a state that is impervious to advice, prepared to criticise any questioners and determined to impose its will on others, regardless of any consequences. The very thought makes me shudder.
David L. Thomson. 24 Laurence Park, Kinglassie.
Commentators played well
Sir, I must take issue with the letter of February 27 (We’re different even in sport) from Graham Duncan. He asks why were there no Scots to commentate on what is clearly a Scottish sport and is, of course, referring to curling.
He appears to have conveniently overlooked the fact that, along with Steve Cram, the BBC had invited Jacqui Lockhart to commentate and inform. As she has competed in the sport at the very highest level, she was a most suitable person to assist Steve Cram with the commentating, and did so very well.
Steve did admit he was a novice at the game and, give him his due, he caught on quickly and was using the curling terms “freezes, hammer and button” and the like to good effect.
No way could viewers have imagined that curling was an English sport, as Mr Duncan stated, and, of course, we are all delighted that two of our tally of medals came from our teams.
Nigel R. King. Moorcroft, Golf Course Road, Blairgowrie.
Bankers must earn bonuses
Sir, RBS just reported losses of £8 billion and the people who run it say they are entitled to bonuses. Bonuses should only be paid on exceptional performance.
There is a theory that these bonuses must be paid to attract the top people. If these are the top people doing their best, I would hate to see the state of the business if we had only average people in place.
Sack them and replace them; the replacements couldn’t do much worse.
Alister Rankin. 93 Whyterose Terrace, Methil.