In reference to your editorial, If we could talk to the animals (December 1), my dogs understand and follow my words.
I think they have the same intelligence as a six-year-old child.
Mihaela Soar, Abu Dhabi
Expatriates are grateful
I agree with your editorial, A force for good at home and abroad (December 2).
In the past 43 years, the UAE has come to symbolise progress, modernity and peace. It is an oasis of prosperity in the turbulent Middle East.
I loved the five months I spent in the UAE this year.
Stahya Narayanan, India
Happy 43rd anniversary, UAE. I consider this beautiful country my second home, and I thank Sheikh Zayed for opening the doors to expatriates. M Okayna, Abu Dhabi
I witnessed many colourful National Day celebrations when I was working in the UAE.
There is much to celebrate, because every year sees growth in all areas, particularly infrastructure. K Ragavan, India
Children should be kept secure
I appreciate your editorial Jet ski safety needs to be enforced (December 1).
However, I’d like to see an investigation into how many parents allow their children to sit, stand and roam around within a moving vehicle.
Jen Bishop, Abu Dhabi
Don’t price out small business
Regarding Expats priced out of their lives (November 29), there are a lot of long-term expatriate families that have invested back into the UAE, creating businesses and jobs.
If the prices of real estate, schools and groceries rise too high, there will be a crash like there was in 2008, and people will leave.
Many real-estate investors in Dubai want to make their return on investment in six to 10 years, but this is two or three times the pace of return in other countries.
If expatriate business owners start to leave the country, they will go away with plenty more than just their luggage. In any economy, it is the small and medium sizes businesses that are the biggest contributors to growth.
Name withheld by request
Language is not the only barrier
Fatima Al Shamsi's article, Expat-Emirati divide: language can break barriers (November 27), raises some good points.
I feel that the expatriates now coming to the UAE do not wish to understand the local culture and expect to live the same life with the same standards they had at home.
There will always be situations that are frustrating, but expats must remember how young this country is and how the rules are still evolving.
P Redding, Dubai
Mexico is serious about reforms
The Embassy of Mexico to the UAE would like to highlight some very important reforms recently announced by president Enrique Pena Nieto.
Among the 10 measures, there will be a new law that allows the federal government to assume control of municipal services or to dissolve a municipal government if there is enough evidence of ties between the local authority and organised crime.
Other initiatives include: transforming the 1,800 local police forces into 32 state bodies, setting up a national emergency phone number, issuing an identity number to each citizen, strengthening human rights protection mechanisms and promoting transparency.
A plan for the development of the southern part of the country has also been unveiled.
Special economic zones will be set up with the aim of creating formal, well-paid jobs in the states of Guerrero, Oaxaca and Chiapas. Francisco Alonso, Ambassador of Mexico
Is this the end for Bill Cosby?
Thank you for publishing Rob Long's article, Why Bill Cosby's downfall is no laughing matter (November 29).
What I’m interested in is the cultural reaction to this story, and to other stories like it.
Will the sexual assault allegations end Cosby’s career? Is everything he’s ever done in the past now tainted?
Sana Lynn, US
