Incendies comes highly recommended

The new revelations about the two young men sentenced to death for drug smuggling (Drugs pair were 'big-time dealers', June 28) add a new dimension to the story.

The moral I believe is that while it may be natural to form opinions quickly, it is also often unwise.

Some people have signalled disapproval for capital punishment but as your editorial explained (Judicial safeguards exist in capital cases, June 27) actual executions in drug cases are almost unknown in this country.

My uncle used to say that "if you jump to conclusions you might land badly and sprain your common sense". Let's let all the facts come out.

Wayne Jessup, Dubai

The death sentence is a very harsh punishment for the Briton and Syrian accused of selling cannabis.

I know it is illegal but look at who this is harming. The boys' relatives are probably devastated.

S Ahadpour, Dubai

Funds to battle pirates welcome

The move by the UAE Government to contribute Dh3.6 million to Somalia to enhance counter-piracy measures should be appreciated (Give us weapons and we can beat pirates, June 28).

In asking for financial assistance, Somalia's President Sheikh Sharif Sheikh Ahmed has confirmed his willingness to battle the pirates.

This can only be possible through coordinated international military operation. With countries like the UAE donating to this noble cause, a permanent, well-trained force can be established.

K P Muhammad, Abu Dhabi

Card registration yet another hassle

I read your story TRA calls in all Sim cards for registration (June 28), and I cannot understand why they want us to go through another hassle like this.

Don't the telecoms operators have copies of our passports already? Can anybody in this country obtain a Sim card without producing valid identification?

Those copies are with them and now we are asked to to come to their offices to provide the same details once more.

This is duplication. Is the Telecommunications and Regulatory Authority becoming another Emirates Identity Authority?

Shabir Zainudeen, Abu Dhabi

Etisalat and du should provide the necessary forms online so as to shorten the queues at the registration points.

Maui Jaramillo, Abu Dhabi

What another clever idea, right in the middle of the summer and Ramadan when many people will be out of the UAE - and probably, as a result of this, out of touch as their phones won't work.

Lizzie English, Dubai

Film comes highly recommended

Regarding your interview with the Canadian director Denis Villeneuve ('I found Arabic culture is complex and beautiful', June 28), I was fortunate enough to see his film Incendies when it premiered at the film festival in Abu Dhabi a couple of years ago.

The ticket stub remains in a drawer.

It was one of the most heart-wrenching yet beautiful movies that I have ever seen.

Everything from the acting to the cinematography puts most Hollywood fare to shame.

It is a movie that is well worth watching. Heather Wakelin, Abu Dhabi

Road tolls do have some advantages

I agree that there is a Clear case for bringing in road tolls (June 28). And there is an even stronger case for congestion pricing, as discussed in the secondary story Setting right fee is tricky.

This is now common in California and elsewhere, and has two effects: it generates some revenue that can be used for road upkeep, and it spreads out the traffic over the day.

Some complain that this imposes a burden on poorer drivers, but how else can society ration the scarce commodity that is space on the motorway?

Hotels, airlines and other services vary their prices according to demand, and this could work for road use, too.

VJ Mehta, Dubai

Your story argues that Salik is not about creating income but more about reducing congestion on the roads. While this may be true during peak hours, why are motorists still charged when their cars are passing through the toll gates at 3am?

Mestin Ashako, Dubai

It's certainly generating all sorts of revenue. Think about how much money Salik must be earning when each car passing is paying Dh4.

But has it reduced traffic? Not likely. It's made lots of smaller roads a lot more congested.

Sajjad Rizvi, Dubai