REFUGEES: OVER the past years many letters have appeared in your newspaper calling for the African countries to be given their independence.

These people got their way and the Africans got their freedom and a vote for a one party state. The new leaders of these countries promptly deprived their populations of everything, including many lives.

When all these do-gooders see the faces on television of the starving children, how do they feel?

Do these people contribute any of their wealth to the relief programmes or calls for help that have to be made on these poor people's behalf? - Jim Rishworth, Darlington.

TOURISM

DURHAM has a truly remarkable amount to offer to tourists as Tony Kelly (HAS, Aug 6) points out.

He also reminded us of the significance and beauty of the world heritage site in the heart of Durham City. So used are we to saying those three words - world heritage site - that it is possible to forget, through familiarity, that we are privileged to live within easy range of one of the world's most special places.

Special places need special measures, which is why under Durham County Council's leadership we had the country's first congestion-charging scheme, will shortly have more park and ride facilities, already have a special city centre bus service and early consideration is being given to re-routing more traffic away from the city centre.

This all adds up to a much better experience for visitors wishing to stroll through the historic streets. We know that with our public and private sector partners we can do even more to make visitors' time in the city even more pleasurable and this work is under way.

These improvements also add to the attraction of the city as the perfect location for an elected regional assembly should, and I sincerely hope when, we vote Yes in November's referendum. - Brian Walker, Cabinet Member for Business & Tourism, Durham County Council.

COUNTY DURHAM

COUNCILLOR Fenwick (HAS, Aug 4) is correct in his belief that Durham folk have enormous pride, and yes, the Miners' Gala forms a part of our culture. That pride has no political boundary.

However, both Durham County Council (DCC) and the district authorities, have acted in a shameful manner of late. They are guilty of cynical politics with their very future in doubt depending on the regional government vote.

Why did DCC place a "County Durham" marker in such an obscure place as the A689. If your wish was to promote the "county" to any potential visitor then surely the A1(M) northbound across the Tees would have made more sense.

Other "county" signs tell the same tale of promoting the "administrative" County Durham, and not the actual county boundary. Again, any visitor to the region would pass the sign just outside Shildon, for example, and would think they are entering County Durham.

The sign clearly states "County Durham - Land of the Prince Bishops". This is the administrative boundary of DCC and Darlington Borough Council. The emblem of DCC adorns the sign, but it is misleading, possibly deliberate, and a complete waste of money! - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland Conservatives.

GIBRALTAR

I VISITED Gibraltar in February and (like almost everyone who goes there for the first time) took a guided taxi ride up and around the rock.

Gibraltar has been in the news again recently with its 300th anniversary prompting articles and potted histories in your paper and the press generally.

However, according to the tour guides, your explanation as regards the origin of the Rock's name is wrong. They explain that the name comes from the last Spanish governor of the Rock, whose name was Gibra (pronounced heebra), hence Gibra alta (High place in Spanish). Anglicised it becomes Gibraltar. - Tom McGee, Durham City.

ISLAM

SURELY Patrick Jenkins (HAS, Aug 2) has noticed that terrorism is condemned by people of all political and religious persuasions, including Muslims.

Peter Mullen's offensive article was not entitled "Why I feel threatened by terrorists", but "Why I feel threatened by Islam". What is insidious about his view, and the similar views expressed by Nick Griffin, Robert Kilroy-Silk, etc is the insinuation that violence, oppression and terrorism are symptoms or defects of Islam itself.

Are we to blame Christianity for the mass murder perpetrated by "Christian" Serbs in Bosnia?

The overwhelming majority of British Muslims are peaceful, law-abiding citizens. It should not be forgotten that the police and intelligence agencies rely on the good will of the Muslim community at home and abroad, as well as the co-operation of security services in Muslim countries, for the intelligence which has already thwarted numerous terrorist conspiracies. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

I HAVE difficulty with the idea that "Islam is incompatible with our society".

I do not think it is Islam that threatens our "traditional way of life" but a minority of people from all faiths whose ignorance and lack of compassion generates violence and hatred.

Furthermore this "traditional way of life", which many people seem so eager to perpetuate, is itself a patchwork that has developed down the centuries and whose dynamism depends on change. I think that we should regard the new ideas and beliefs that we encounter with interest instead of fear. - Ceridwen Bolton, Langley Park.

UKIP

I CAN'T react to every predictable post election swipe at our party, but E Turnbull's talk of secret backers with hidden motives (HAS, Aug 7) has to be answered.

We are neither secretive about what we stand for nor do we harbour hidden agendas.

UKIP MEPs have already held up expensive and damaging legislation and can warn us about such new laws as they arise.

Fighting elections costs a great deal of money. This has to come from somewhere. The EU funds will now help us.

In the North-East, funds have up to now come from a great many small donations from people with not a lot of cash to spare. By the voluntary efforts of our supporters and donors, none of whom had any personal interest in giving their support, we managed to achieve as great a percentage of the vote on June 10.

Why did we bother? The right wing Liberals and Labour appear to see no wrong in jumping to the orders of a secretive, damaging, corrupt and tyrannical EU government. Well UKIP does. - Charlotte Bull, UKIP, North-East.