Burma nightmare

It was extremely disappointing to see Burma featured as a 'Dream Destination' (Observer Travel, last week). Burma's embattled democrats, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, have pleaded with foreign tourists not to visit their country. The reasons they give are compelling. You did not mention the people whose homes have been destroyed to build the hotels, whose children break stones by hand to build the roads you'll travel on, or the millions who have been pushed out of cities to beautify them for your pleasure. Dream? Nightmare more like.
Glenys Kinnock, MEP

Costly Olympics

It's noticeable that all those ardently promoting the 2012 Olympic bid are not those who are going to have to fork out for it. A recent poll showed 80 per cent of Londoners are against it. Why not raise the money from those who will benefit - hoteliers, restaurateurs, businesses. For them it would be an investment. For the rest of us it will simply mean more aggravation from the thousands of extra people milling around. Who wants to pay for that?
C. Richards
London SW18

Malawi's struggle

I must take issue with Paul Harris about our government's role in the current crisis (Focus, 19 January). Our government's concerted efforts to tackle the current food shortages, working in partnership with NGOs and donor countries, show we are not passive bystanders.
Bright Msaka, High Commissioner of Malawi
London W1

Brussels