Learning from America

It is heartening to read that the Abu Dhabi Executive Council has placed top priority on the safety of pedestrians and cyclists in the city. (Watch out, there are pedestrians about, February 5).

There have been many improvements on pedestrian facilities, notably well-marked walkways at certain traffic signal junctions on the Corniche Road as well as raised zebra crossings near Spinneys at Khalidiyah and Al Mamoura Building off Muroor Road. It is hoped that the promised funding will enable the municipality to implement even more safety measures, especially near schools.

As a parent with children at the Choueifat School near Al Mushrif Park on 15th Street, we are grateful that the school is proactive in engaging traffic wardens at their own costs to guide students to cross the road at a zebra crossing. But the zebra crossing is not noticeable from afar as the lines have faded and the traffic wardens are sometimes at risk when they attempt to stop the fast-moving cars.

I have personally seen some cars not slowing down despite flagging from the traffic warden. The municipality should look into building a raised and clearly marked zebra crossing with blinkers and cat-eyes to ensure that the cars can see the zebra crossing from afar and slow down appropriately as they approach the school.

Kathy Lim, Abu Dhabi

Foreign boost for Libyan economy

I agree with the article that argues the Libyan market will open up and will attract growth soon (UAE repeals asset freeze on Libya to aid recovery, February 5).

I believe that the UAE Central Bank (which had ordered finance houses and institutions in the summer of 2011 to freeze any assets and accounts of named Libyan individuals and of Libya's Central Bank in line with the UN Security Council Resolutions) regards the release of funds and of assets and accounts as an essential move towards the economic stability of Libya nowadays.

These funds, plus assets and accounts, are needed to help rebuild the country and to ensure that Libyans can make domestic and international banking transactions.

Assisting the Libyan people to make a transition justly, safely and smoothly towards democracy after Qaddafi's 42-year rule seems to be a priority for world leaders, while domestic and international companies seem ready to provide immediate help in establishing security, infrastructure and energy projects in Libya.

Gaye Caglayan, Dubai

US no stranger to using veto at UN

The multitude of American vetoes for Israel against a Palestinian state dwarfs anything that Russia or China has done regarding Syria (Russia and China veto call for Assad to go, February 5).

A taste of their own medicine will overshadow, albeit slightly, the strength of the Israeli lobby, nullifying its "kill at will" policy against those it opposes.

Rayed Darwish, Abu Dhabi

Touched by local writer's book

I had the chance to read A Sweet Word, and it really touched my soul. (An Emirati children's book author talks about the importance of supporting literacy, January 30).

Thank you Nadia Saleem Al Kalbani and I am looking forward to reading your new work.

Lee Nano, Abu Dhabi

English news channel welcome

E-vision, the television service by Etisalat, provides a number of Pakistani TV channels with several number of news channels.

The list includes five news-only channels: PTV News, Aaj TV, Express News, Dawn News and Samaa TV and two entertainment-cum-news channels, Geo and ARY Digital.

All these channels are in Urdu. It would be useful if E-vision was to replace Express News with its sister English news channel Express 24/7 which would of course provide a better mix for viewers.

Syed Irfan Ali, Abu Dhabi

Nuclear ships risk increased dangers

I think the shipping industry should reconsider its attempt to go nuclear (Atomic ships just over the horizon, February 1). While nuclear energy is promoted as a cost effective alternative, risk factors must be considered.

The article only discusses operating cost, but there is no talk of the environmental and health effects from a damaged reactor. In recent times there was the Japan scenario, which has resulted in untold environmental damage from radiation leakage - ground water and crops contamination could last another 40 years. The clean- up cost could be in the billions.

I am not confident that the maritime industry can respond adequately to emergencies.

Randall Mohammed, Dubai