Letters To The Editor

Hu are you?• YOUR editorial (‘Hu’s there’ IE, November 11) is liberal with the usual journalese: “appears to be dev...

Hu are you?

• YOUR editorial (‘Hu’s there’ IE, November 11) is liberal with the usual journalese: “appears to be devoid of any substance” and “masterly inactivity is India’s considered policy”. It is not a happy sign that prior to the Chinese president’s visit there are more columnists’ outpourings in the media than perhaps needed. These may not be conducive to creating the proper environment for the best results to emerge from the meet. You catalogue several steps that China has taken to increase its economic clout.

The concerns reflecting the problem areas between the two countries are to be woven into careful strategies. The best fora are the foreign office, commerce, finance and defence ministries coordinated by the PMO, and not the media which has limitations. You miss the point that successful trade is built on sound relations. Border talks and water issues are more important than mere trade.

— S. Subramanyan, Mumbai

Exit not easy

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• Recent electoral success by the Democrats cannot bring about any radical change in the US’s Iraq policy. Quick withdrawal of US forces, on account of continuous American casualties, may be the desire of the Democrats and most Americans, but that is simply not possible. Iraq is not Vietnam. The Vietnamese did not chase the Americans beyond their borders. But hard-line jihadi groups, irrespective of their countries of origin, will do so all over the world.

— N.K. Das Gupta, Kolkata

Overhaul overdue

• THIS refers to the editorial, ‘Judgment day’ (IE, November 11). The proposed National Judicial Council, which will have the power to probe into judicial misconduct and punish errant judges, is a step in the right direction. The Judges (Inquiry) Bill to set up such a body should be passed by Parliament. Undeniably, the present system needs overhauling, but we need well-considered reforms and not Procrustean measures that may result in justice itself being mutilated. Judicial activism is very much needed in our times but at the same time corruption in the higher and lower judiciary is a matter of grave concern.

We have the best of judges and lawyers who can deliver justice if they want to but what they lack is a clean conscience and the will to carry out duties faithfully. The judges should base their verdict not only on the statements of eye witnesses but also on the circumstantial and other kinds of evidence. It should be ensured that the intelligent arguments of lawyers do not sway the court and that importance is given to ground realities before a judgement is pronounced.

— Amjad K. Maruf, Mumbai

George wronged

• Your report on the functioning of DRDO (‘Delayed research, Derailed Organisation’ IE, November 12) is very revealing, especially in view of the comments of several ex-service chiefs. What then was the error of George Fernandes, when he was defence minister in the NDA government, in recommending the Barak missiles in preference to the Trishul, against the advice of the then DRDO chief? Indeed it has been suspected all along that the CBI’s action in filing an FIR against Fernandes was politically motivated. Will the CBI now take some corrective measures to defend its credibility, if any?

— A.N. Mitra, Delhi