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Letters

Moon law

I refer to the letter headlined 'Moon treaty' (Sunday Morning Post, January 25), by Powell B. Cappel.

Mr Cappel may have been upset that I should single out the US for criticism for not ratifying the Moon Treaty when there are other countries, such as China, that also have not signed the document.

In this regard, one must not lose sight of the fact that the US is now the only true superpower, and it has unrivalled ambitions - whether in space or elsewhere - with its recently announced moon-and-Mars plan budgeted at US$170 billion - or even much more.

The ratification of the Moon Treaty is therefore far more crucial for the US than any other nation. The US must be seen to be willing to be governed by international law with regard to the resources of the moon and Mars, which are excluded from national appropriation under the treaty.

That certain other nations have also not ratified the treaty is irrelevant as, after all, two wrongs do not make one right.

KEVIN CHING, Mid-Levels

Space goal

How appropriate that President George W. Bush has set his country's sights on Mars. This fully accords with his administration's 'God of war' stance.

ROGER EMMERTON, Mid-Levels

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