Don't treat big cats like lapdogs

It is cruel and wrong to treat a cheetah like a housepet, readers say. Other letters topics today: corporate governance, the Toulouse attack, laundry reforms, challenging pavements, and the Abu Dhabi book fair.

Keeping cheetahs as pets results in inhumane conditions, readers say. Yussuf Al Saadi / Al Ittihad

I refer to your comment article Toulouse attacks harm Palestinians in their own name (March 26).

It gives a different perspective. Obviously what happened in France and what Israel does in attacking the Palestinian Territories are both bad.

I see you take a balanced approach but for Palestinians who are overwhelmingly the underdog, what benefit does the balanced approach bring? What should they do? They are trying to use institutions like the UN and I think that is the best way.

Let the world continue to see that Israel is very unjust. One day the world will surely help, because no one wants to be treated as the Palestinians are being treated.

Irfan Syed, Dubai

It is good that reasonable Palestinians condemn the hateful killing of a rabbi and three children at a Jewish school in France by a gunman whose motive seems to be avenging Palestinian children killed by Israel.

It is inexcusable that terrorists of any belief kill the innocent.

All the talks, negotiations, compromises and peace agreements between nations go into the rubbish when fathomless hatred toward each other is on stage.

Gabriela Lombardi, Abu Dhabi

Governance needs improving

I refer to NMC Healthcare's public offering galvanising attention (March 18).

Listing rules mean that a firm must float at least 25 per cent of its shares in a premium listing, which also requires a higher standard of corporate governance.

I worked in conglomerates in the UAE and looked into corporate governance as a consultant to different companies.

It is my opinion that entities that want to be listed should first do a thorough introspection of their governance systems.

Dr KB Vijayakumar, Dubai

Laundry reform will raise prices

Our corner laundry provides good service and isn't too expensive.

I am fairly certain however that the tiny premises will prove to be too small under this new rule (Shop is too small to clean your clothes, March 26).

When my laundryman goes out of business, no doubt the price we pay for clean clothes will go up. This is the kind of "reform" that we don't need.

Will Dilthey, Abu Dhabi

Book fair needs more English titles

I hope the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (A fest of reading, March 26) will have more English offerings than last year's event did.

Of course, one expects Arabic books to predominate. But publishers should be aware that the English-speaking public is starved for decent bookstores and eager to find new opportunities to browse among a wide range of titles.

Nick Hoare, Dubai

UN must probe killings of Tamils

The treatment of Tamils is the worst state terrorism in recent human history. (UN probe into Tamil killings is testing India-Sri Lanka ties, March 22.)

These criminals should be brought to justice, and an impartial, open, international, UN-monitored investigation is the only way. The truth may be delayed, but will come out.

Name withheld by request

Cheetahs are not suitable pets

Escaped cheetah dies hours after rescue … (March 26) is very sad.

The photo with your earlier story Cheetah found roaming Al Ain streets (March 22), showed that it was a baby one, and needed its mother.

Cheetahs need maternal care for up to two years before they can fend for themselves. This is not an ideal pet. It should be protected by law, and illegal to be kept as a pet under any circumstances.

Big cats need a proper environment, the right food and a huge space for hunting. People and big cats do not mix. Anyone who keeps a big cat as a pet is being very cruel.

John Cronin, Abu Dhabi

The owner of the cheetah that has died should be given a heavy punishment as a deterrent to others.

It is amazing that such wild animals are being kept as pets.

Joe Burns, Abu Dhabi

Pavements bad for wheelchairs

Capital is an obstacle course for pedestrians (March 26) makes a good point.

The Corniche is a fine place to walk but too many other blocks have holes in the pavement and badly-placed "street furniture" such as signs and poles.

It must be just about impossible for people in wheelchairs.

VS Chandra, Abu Dhabi