I concur with K. J. R. Borthwick's opinion on the tragic and intractable problems of the Middle East (South China Morning Post, January 16).
There is little doubt that Ariel Sharon has deliberately set out to destroy the Oslo peace process and his premeditated visit to the Temple Mount was just his initial step along the provocative path of violence to see his dream of an enlarged Israel realised.
His only concern is how to keep the American administration 'on-side'. This is not difficult to achieve when history has shown that Israel can count on blind American support.
Mr Sharon's military and political life illustrates that a hawk cannot evolve into a dove. However, the US's continual use of their veto at the UN shows that an eagle may become an ostrich.
There will be no peace until the old guard changes and the US learns some lessons from the September 11 tragedy.
R. EMMERTON
