On the brink of extinction:

In reference to the news report “Rhino may be extinct in 20 years: Experts” (THT, January 1), we should not and cannot allow these beautiful animals to be extinct. Rhinos are not only a great source of income, but more important, our national pride. And why 20 years? If the current rate of poaching continues, we might not have any rhino in five years’ time. There were 372 rhinos in the Chitwan National Park at the beginning of 2006, which was cut down to 325 by the end of it. The killers seem to be getting more experienced. The government, NGOs, INGOs and every individual concerned should come together to save the rhino with greater seriousness. Clearly, better monitoring and effective anti-poaching methods are called for.

Pratima Shrestha, CDES,TU

Reactions:

This refers to Dr. Ujjwal Raj Chalise’s letter “A good beginning” (THT, January 3) to my article “Health for the poor” (THT, December 26). While the referral centres do need to be made better, it is more important to improve their management than spend more money on their infrastructure. If the government is really serious about delivering better health to the poor, the place to begin is the rural areas where most poor Nepalis live. In reference to Aditya Man Shrestha’s article “Thai coup and Saddam” (THT, January 3), Shrestha is unnecessarily cruel on our politicians. Given their dismal track record at home, incidents like Saddam Hussein’s hanging allow them the rare opportunity to claim a moral high ground.

Bihari Krishna Shrestha, Green Block, Patan

Unjustified:

This refers to the letters “Wrong priority” and “Who cares?” (THT, January 4) by SP Pandey and Kamal Poudel respectively. Both ordinary people and politicians have the right to express their opinion. The brutal killing of 12 Nepalis in Iraq and the execution of Saddam Hussein were equally condemnable acts as both ignored the rule of law and both were cruel.

Akasbani Mohan, Baneshwer

Thai model:

Marwaan Macan-Markar’s article “Thai junta slips on coup promises” (THT, Jan 4) aptly highlights that an undemocratic government can never deliver on its promises no matter how good its intentions may be. For, it is not the people who make the difference but the institutions operating in a free, fair and accountable system that accounts zfor good governance.

Amit Shakya, Bhaktapur

Hypocrisy:

American ambassador to Nepal James F Moriarty never fails to amaze me with his hypocrisy. The US made an unprovoked war on Iraq in violation of all international norms, leading to the death of seven lakh innocent Iraqis. They have also violated every rule in the book in prison camps like Guantanamo Bay. Saddam Hussein was executed for the crimes he committed with the weapons supplied by the US. It is sheer hypocrisy on Moriarty’s part to continue calling Maoists terrorists despite the fact that the number of deaths the Maoists are responsible for appear negligible compared with the number of people killed in US actions the world over.

Rita Bhujel, Birgunj