THE tragedy of Zimbabwe is not simply that the rest of the world stood by hand wringing, but that such liberated souls as the South Africa and others remained supportive of Robert Mugabe.

It has not taken long for Ian Smith to be seen as the best politician Zimbabwe ever had.

While the bleeding heart liberals of the West are forever begging us to donate money to feed the world, Ian Smith and a minority of white farmers fed and helped the Africans feed themselves.

From: David Quarrie, Lynden Way, Acomb, York.

VARIOUS people and organisations are keen to celebrate the 90th birthday of Nelson Mandela, but I am against that wish.

His complete silence on the events taking place in Zimbabwe is disgraceful. South Africa could and should have done so much more years ago to curb President Robert Mugabe, but they did not because it would have upset other African nations who see the whole affair as "black versus white".

If Mandela is the great man so many think he is, he would have spoken out against the murder, torture, rape, arson, coercion, blackmail, thuggery and dictatorial policies of Mugabe and his "war veterans", but instead he has remained silent. Hence, there is not much to celebrate.

From Terry Duncan,
Greame Road,
Bridlington.

COME on Gordon Brown, show us what you are made of, and send in our special SAS squad and bump off that African dictator Robert Mugabe covertly.

It would just be an overnight job.

From: JG Riseley,
Harcourt Drive,
Harrogate.

ROBERT Mugabe will be able to count himself extremely fortunate if, as warned, he ends his rule being "hauled before the International Criminal Court in the Hague" and staying in a comfy Dutch prison. Such a fate was deemed far too good for the late President of Iraq and his family.


Shooting on moor is a danger to wildlife

From: Eve Learmont-Thom, Wensleydale Way, Riddleden, Bradford.

I HEARD that Bradford Council is going to allow shooting again on Ilkley Moor. I strongly disagree with this.

There is, I believe, a strong case for the protection of wildlife involved, other than game birds.

I spend a lot of time walking up on the moor. I take great care not to allow myself or my dogs to disturb any of the natural flora and fauna. I do not believe the people who shoot have the same respect for the natural environment. They only seek to exploit it for themselves. I think it is disgusting that some people have nothing better to do with their time and money, other than spend it killing animals without any regard for people who wish to enjoy the peace and quiet that Ilkley Moor affords.

I am also concerned for the wildlife that will become persecuted as a result of the shooting. There are birds of prey and many predatory mammals who will suffer as a result of management of the land for shooting. These animals will not be tolerated for those seeking to protect the game birds. No matter how enlightened the hunters claim to be, if the game birds and the revenue is threatened by natural predators, then the hunters will react by controlling the natural predators and thus upsetting the natural balance.

Ilkley Moor was gifted to the public in 1893
for the public pleasure, therefore Bradford Council has no right to treat Ilkley Moor as if it belonged to it.


The people have spoken, but is anyone listening?

From: Dr Glyn Powell, Bakersfield Drive, Kellington, North Yorkshire.

GREAT news on two political fronts in recent days. Firstly, the Irish people reject the EU's Lisbon Treaty.

However, the middle and upper class fools who purport to govern us from both Parliament and Whitehall may choose to ignore the Irish people's decision, as it would derail the EU gravy train for some of them. We should, therefore, urge these clowns to listen to the people and hold a referendum on EU membership, so that mass immigration of cheap labour from Eastern Europe can be halted when EU withdrawal is achieved.

Secondly, local politicians from both Selby District and the Leeds City Region rejected the Government's eco-town siting in Selby. However, although the councils within the Leeds City Region can build homes more cheaply and quickly than any so-called eco-town, build for profit developer, it is still possible that a site will be foisted on the people, even though any site would be unsustainable on economic, environmental and ecological grounds. The Government should listen to the people and the largely more accountable and knowledgeable local politicians and simply give our money to local councils to build houses to meet real housing needs in existing urban areas, rather than go-ahead with crazy pie-in-the-sky schemes that are more costly, and destroy communities and the environments they are sited within.

Finally, will our so-called representative, John Grogan MP urge GMI to withdraw their Willow Green bid in light of the decisions made by elected councillors, with the interests of their electorate in mind? I doubt it, as he is still hooked on the misguided eco concept that underpins the whole eco-town folly.