Generals on the rebound?

A reader welcomes the Harlem Globetrotters back to the UAE, but wishes the Washington Generals would win at least once. Other letter topics: a Kurdish homeland, the iPhone, piracy and the antiquities trade.

A reader is looking forward to seeing the Harlem Globetrotters, but hopes they lose for once. Nicholas Kamm / AFP

Globetrotters due for a drubbing

I was delighted to read Harlem Globetrotters return next month to UAE after five years (September 6).

To be honest, I did not realise that the Globetrotters were still around. For some reason, I associate them with a bygone era.

I do hope they will bring the Washington Generals with them.

I read online that this team, created especially to compete against the Globetrotters, has the longest losing streak of any professional basketball team, perhaps of any team in any sport anywhere in the world.

Could an overdue upset win for the Generals be on the cards as a special treat for UAE fans?

I certainly hope so.

Colin Richards, Abu Dhabi

Praise for police’s attitude towards protecting women

I was very disturbed to read Most sexual assaults are never reported (September 5).

However, I was also encouraged that, as the story explains, the Dubai police are taking things seriously and looking for solutions that navigate the complexities surrounding the issue.

Attitudes certainly need to change and, it would seem, so does the law.

Mary Morris, Dubai

School mess must be sorted quickly

Regarding School shuts as boss denies stealing funds (September 6), whatever happened, parents, staff and children have been left in limbo.

Parents have paid first-term fees; what will happen to this money?

Staff returning from holidays may still be due some pay and new teachers and other staff who have resigned their jobs and moved to Dubai are now left without any work or anywhere to go.

Let's hope the mess gets sorted quickly. What a shame.

Patricia Trudgeon, Dubai

Will Apple remain on centre stage?

While I was excited, as an iPhone user, to read Red letter day for Apple (September 6), it also made me stop and think.

History tells us that no business can hope to remain at the top of the pile forever.

With Nokia unveiling its Windows 8 phones and affordable Android devices everywhere (despite Apple's best efforts to stop them in the courts) how long will it be until a new unveiling by Apple is a ho-hum affair?

Trevor Long, Abu Dhabi

Illegal antiquities trade hard to stop

The story about the antique gold coins (Police given Dh2.5m tip over old coin sale, September 6) was fascinating. It seems to me that efforts to prevent this illegal trade are failing.

In this case only a tip-off allowed the police to catch the alleged criminals. Globally, antiquities from many places, and at many values, change hands illegally every day.

Ted Poulin, Dubai

Navy showed the pirates who's boss

There's nothing like a naval vessel to chase pirates away.

Abu Dhabi tanker released by pirates (September 6) tells of a ship taken by pirates in or near Nigerian waters. But when a Nigerian navy ship pulled up along side, the pirates ran away.

A strong naval presence, good intelligence, and international cooperation are the keys to suppressing damaging and dangerous piracy.

Alex Manardhi, Abu Dhabi

Kurds must alter recognition tactics

I fully agree with your editorial, Violence weakens Kurdish interests (September 4). Do not blame the Kurds, blame the severe, long repression that they have been subjected to in Turkey and Syria.

Even in Iran the Islamic revolution meant more violent repression by the Revolutionary Guards of any Kurdish national aspirations.

Perhaps the reaction of the PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) is natural. Trust takes time and the onus is really on the governments controlling Kurdish areas to gain the trust of the Kurds.

Having said that, I agree that the time is ripe for change - especially in Turkey, which has come to realise the need to recognise the Kurds' legitimate aspirations.

The PKK has to change tactics and add its weight to other Kurdish parties working within the democratic institution of Turkey to bring about change.

I understand the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) in Iraqi Kurdistan - a great success story for the Kurds, although it took nearly 100 years to achieve - takes the same line with the PKK.

Doubtless this is the reason the KRG and Turkey, a heavyweight in world politics and a member of Nato, are on such good terms. This can only benefit other Kurds.

Shamal Karim, Abu Dhabi