Reader discusses the repercussions of Osama bin Laden's death

Readers also make their feelings clear about school inspection, the use of cloning to preserve endangered species, the source of weapons used against Mena-region protesters, and other subjects.

A reader cites a recent collision in the waters off Dubai as proof that weekend jet skiers pose a constant danger to public safety. Rich-Joseph Facun / The National

Please refer to the article Experts view al Qa'eda secrets (May 9) which reported that Osama bin Laden's Pakistan home was "a command-and-control centre" for al Qa'eda. So, Osama bin Laden is gone, but he has bequeathed a simmering problem for the world to manage: a disoriented Pakistan, with terrorists in its midst and devoid of the required level of governance.

The discovery of Osama bin Laden, living comfortably in a massive three-storied mansion, with his family and eight children, in a military garrison township in Pakistan, has exposed the country to ridicule in the global community. The fact that the US did not take Pakistan into its confidence before launching a nocturnal incursion into the country speaks volumes.

Presumably, a globally hunted terrorist like bin Laden could not have lived in Pakistan for over five years without someone having some knowledge. Pakistan was receiving about $2 billion for fighting terrorism from the US, yet America's most wanted fugitive was living in the country.

Pakistan should be focusing inwards. How could bin Laden operate in Pakistan? Who helped him? Who are his associates? Are there more terrorists concealed in its cities and towns? These questions should be top priority for the government. But they are not being debated at all.

Clearly, Pakistan is spinning out of control. The government, army and terrorist outfits are operating like three independent ruling entities.

Unless responsible Pakistanis take control of their country's future, it is matter of time before Pakistan too becomes fragmented like other weak countries.

Rajendra K Aneja, Dubai

Israel's missteps damage itself

In reference to the article Leak: Israel divided over Fatah and Hamas pact (May 5), Israel's prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, by his refusal to negotiate peace with Fatah and his arrogant misjudgement in giving financial inducements to Israelis to illegally settle on occupied Palestinian land in overt contempt of the United Nations and the US president Barack Obama, has pushed Fatah into the arms of Hamas and dealt Israel a blow from which it may never recover.

The Egyptian government will open its border with Gaza, leaving Israel impotent and its widely-condemned blockade in tatters.

Colin Dale, UK

Jet skis are a public menace

I refer to the news article Water-skier is missing after jet ski collision (May 8). This terrible accident highlights a serious problem that urgently needs to be addressed: the irresponsible jet skiers who are found in Dubai waters every weekend.

We are boaters and see the same dangerous riders out on jet skis all the time. Sadly, it was a matter of time before a serious accident was caused by them. We called the coastguard to Le Meridien hotel on Saturday afternoon shortly before this tragic accident to complain about the dozen or so jet skis that were going dangerously close to swimmers, boats and the shore at their usual crazy speeds. The police arrived quickly but could not help.

We have tried reasoning with these dangerous jet skiers in the past and they just do not care and carry on as before. They must be stopped before they cause further tragedies.

Mairi Anne Bowen, Dubai

Striking a balance in education

I refer to the article about private school inspections How did your child's school? Results out today (May 9). While we appreciate the benefits of the inspections and reports, we should also look whether these actions are creating more administrative and mundane paperwork.

The pitfalls are that the core services, whether it is teaching or medical practice, will suffer when the staff allocated for these services are overburdened with paperwork created for quality assurance.

I am quite sure that teachers might quit since they no longer enjoy teaching which was their passion.

The same applies to other professions. Hence the authorities will have to strike the right balance with a long-term perspective, or else soon they will have quality only on paper.

Inspections and checks are useless if you cannot attract the right talent and provide them the atmosphere to blossom.

George Abraham, Dubai Putting protests in perspective

I refer to Fuel crisis adds to Saleh's woes (May 6) which focused on the widespread protests in Yemen against the regime of Ali Abdullah Saleh. The US and the UK can't make their case for the spread of democracy when dictators turn weapons they got from these two countries on democracy demonstrations.

Reg Field, Abu Dhabi