I refer to the report headlined 'Air services talks fail to achieve pact' (South China Morning Post Business, March 2). I am extremely pleased to hear that no agreement has been made on rights of freedom talks between the Hong Kong and US governments. Restricting the rights of US airlines in Hong Kong, both cargo and passenger, is extremely encouraging as it finally shows us as a country or region. In other words, the Hong Kong SAR is finally willing to stand up to the big-boy bully tactics of the US administration. The US has been so accustomed to entering talks with the purpose of walking all over the other party, that it abuses its monolithic power and rides roughshod over nearly every other country. I can see no advantage in allowing Cathay Pacific the right to sell seats on American Airlines flights. Cathay would probably lose more revenue than it would gain, owing to the poor service on board American Airlines. I urge the SAR negotiators to go one step further and tell the American administration to go jump in a lake. It's about time someone did. JAMES HOLBOROW Repulse Bay
