It is disappointing that Kofi Annan, UN’s special envoy to Syria, does not want to carry on his mission when his mandate expires by August end. I wish to extend my gratitude and appreciation to Annan for taking up the daunting challenge of finding a peaceful settlement in Syria.
Annan, who attempted to provide the country with a peace plan, has rightly determined that no one took his efforts seriously at a time when the Syrian people desperately needed action.
It is a pity that the growing militarization on the ground and the absence of harmony within the UN Security Council has rendered his role ineffective.
Nevertheless, the carnage continues in the face of Bashar Assad’s stubbornness and international apathy toward the plight of the Syrian people. The country is fast sliding into a ruthless civil war. The street clashes in Aleppo are ominous. In the last 17 months, about 20,000 people lost their lives to the conflict that has displaced thousands of others, who are clustering on the borders of Turkey, Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan. Their plight adds urgency to the need for a solution to this crisis.
The UN-Arab League peace initiative was the ultimate hope in realizing a negotiated settlement to the bloody conflict. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon must name a successor to Annan and draw up a plan to pull Syria back from the brink.
I am pretty sure Syria can be saved from the most awful catastrophe if the international community shows the courage and headship to renounce parochial aims.
World leaders should step forward and come up with a vibrant peace formula to rescue this Arab nation from devastation. (Shaukat Naeem Ghumman, Riyadh)
Women-only industrial cities
This refers to the report “Modon plans to establish women-only industrial cities” (Aug. 7). The initiative will serve as a role model in regard to women's progress as per Islamic teachings, especially in the current atmosphere, where it has become the habit of everyone to attack Islamic teachings, particularly on women related issues. As a matter of fact, Islam is the champion of women's progress, but progress should be pursued in the purview of Islamic teachings and within the circle of modesty. In this line, women-only industrial cities are an excellent idea, where women's progress can be given an impetus and their talent can be explored on a large scale. Women will work peacefully as the environment will be conducive for them. I am sure Hofuf, Sudair, Hail, Tabuk, Arar, Jouf, Asir, Nagran, Baha, Taif, etc. will all witness emphatic industrial development. Many domains have been untapped for women yet, for example, the civil and aviation industry, pharmaceuticals, biomedical, hospitality, etc. They also can be explored extensively to create more chances for women’s employment. We must thank Prince Mansour for providing a solid base for women’s employment. I urge women to embrace these opportunities and progress in their respective fields by leaps and bounds. (Anees Lokhande, Alkhobar)
Baggage restrictions
In his letter (Aug. 7), Mohammed Saadullah Khan has rightly appealed to the Saudi Arabian Airlines authorities to keep and maintain the same current baggage system as it is convenient and comfortable for both the passengers and the airlines in order to handle and carry the baggage. The baggage restriction of 32 kg per ticket is okay if they want to change the system and reduce weight, but the number of baggage pieces should not be reduced to one piece only per passenger. Passengers will suffer a lot due to this and will face many problems in carrying just one piece and eventually they will have to drop many important goods to take with them at the time of their vacations. Also, the airlines should try to reduce the air fares as the current fares are too high and even unaffordable for many passengers. I hope that the Saudi Airlines authorities will consider this problem seriously and continue with the current baggage system without any change. We like Saudi Airlines very much and expect that it will continue its best services and will not implement any new rules that will be against the interest of passengers. I wish the airlines to prosper and continue its usual cooperation with passengers in a warm and friendly atmosphere. (Zakaria Sultan, Riyadh)
Letters — Syrian massacre
