LET'S TALK. . . .

Washington says that it "doesn't trust" Syria. Who cares? The US leads the world in not being trusted--by anybody. And all those countries have been stung by our lies, over and over and over, particularly in the last eight years. It might even be that since the US "doesn't trust" Syria, the rest of the world will assume--because nobody trusts the US--that Syria is being quite truthful.

US newspapers report that the Dalai Lama wants"serious talks"with the Chinese government. Isn't that an insult, Mr. Lama? Heads of state should be expected to talk seriously about serious matters, shouldn't they? What good is served by the Dalai Lama's criticising the Chinese is such an insulting way? I am not taking sides: I am concerned at the Dalai Lama poisoning things before either side says anything, face to face. A pre-emptive strike from him is hardly what we need.