Madam, - Paul Stewart (September 9th) takes issue with me for singling out China's predatory interests in Africa. He makes the valid point that the West has hardly covered itself in glory in its relationship with the continent.
He is correct, of course; but two wrongs do not make a right. Bad enough that Africa be bled dry once. The point I wished to highlight is that China has built a massive Trojan horse in Africa through its loans. When these are called in the poor will, once more, pay cruelly.
More crucially, corrupt leaders have been given financial armour to fight off any calls for fairness, openness and honesty. Mr Stewart is right to highlight the fact that the West owes Africa a debt of honour through history. Even if Western countries had a will to discharge this, they could point to the fact that the way is blocked by Beijing.
The fundamental point is that aid should reach the weak and impoverished.
China, as Mr Stewart acknowledges, is not interested in the plight of the poor. It invests only in power and in securing valuable resources. NGOs and some Western governments have been working hard to redress the imbalance, but any clout they might have has been greatly reduced by Beijing's courtship of corrupt leaders. - Yours, etc,
JOHN O'SHEA,
Goal,
Dun Laoghaire,
Co Dublin.