14/01/03

The project would need to be handled with great sensitivity, however. I doubt if many who live and work in Durham would agree with the recent assertion by Chris Lloyd that it is "perfectly accessible from all parts of the region by road". The "city" is, in reality, a small historic town, and the access roads and local streets are often congested. Despite these problems it should be possible to integrate the Assembly if steps are taken to create a sustainable Durham City.

A much-improved modern public transport system could provide the main access, and allow the city to take on the atmosphere of a modern pedestrianised European centre, while retaining respect for its historic importance.

To achieve this, improvements need to be made to the centre to provide facilities for all residents, workers, students, and visitors, not just those who want to drink alcohol.

Better places for younger people have been discussed for many years, but we still await the new swimming pool and central sports facilities, while our affordable cinema is about to be replaced by yet another bar.

All residential areas need to be enhanced and protected from the impact of traffic and parking, making them more attractive to families.

The need to integrate the Assembly could provide the impetus for more effective planning in Durham, with residents being given a stronger voice. We need to plan a Sustainable Community that provides a balance between community, economy and environment and avoids the present uncontrolled drift towards a commercial playground for young adults. - Colin Green, Durham.

ZIMBABWE

JAMES Fitzpatrick (HAS, Jan 9) shows just how little he knows about Zimbabwe and its people.

Yes, the farmers of Zimbabwe grew tobacco, dwarf beans, etc. These crops were grown for export to enable the Zimbabweans to earn foreign currency to enable them to purchase their oil and other essential goods. The farmers also grew enough maize to feed the whole of the African population and also the population of its neighbours.

Today, there are nearly eight million people starving in Zimbabwe and if the best help we can give them is to send a second rate cricket team there to play, then God help them.

People living in this country have no idea of the scale of the problem created by Mugabe. - J Rishworth, Darlington.

IF Zimbabwe should be subject to a cricket boycott, it should also be isolated from trade.

It would also require the agreement of neighbouring countries, and it would have to be agreed by the other cricketing countries. Were our cricketers not to go to Zimbabwe it would not make sense to go to South Africa, as it is South Africa and Zimbabwe together who are hosting the World Cup.

I do not condone the abuses of human rights in Zimbabwe any more than I do similar abuses anywhere in the world. I think that it could be appropriate for Zimbabwe to be expelled from the Commonwealth.

If we want an ethical foreign policy, we need to clarify our thinking and try to be consistent. - Geoffrey Bulmer, Billingham.

I WAS interested in reading James Fitzpatrick's letter (HAS, Jan 9) about Zimbabwe and the Cricket World Cup.

Although I agree with most of his analysis about British, and, more generally, Western culpability historically and in the recent past, I cannot agree that Robert Mugabe is still supported by his people.

Mugabe has an appalling human rights record against all his people both black and white and uses historical injustices as a smoke-screen for his dreadful behaviour. He may be supported by a minority, but the majority would like to get rid of him.

The British Government wants the English cricket team to boycott Zimbabwe. It has known since July 2002 that we would be playing in Zimbabwe but it is only in the last few weeks that the Government has made its views known.

The ICC is also culpable by burying its head in the sand and saying that the only consideration taken into account over the proposed games in Zimbabwe was whether it was safe for teams to play there.

As a cricket fan and a socialist I don't think we should be playing in Zimbabwe. However, this issue should have been cleared up months ago, not used as a political football now. If players don't want to play, they shouldn't have to.

Tony Blair is being hypocritical, and using his own double standards again, asking sportsmen not to play in Zimbabwe but turning a blind eye to the continuing trade between the UK and Zimbabwe. - Dave Atkinson, Darlington.

UNIVERSITY CHANCELLOR

THE proposal that former US President Bill Clinton should replace the late Lord Jenkins as Chancellor of Oxford University has raised fears for the "dignity of the office'' and that it "could endanger the reputation of the institution". A serious matter indeed.

It is perhaps interesting that being a past President of a superpower raises concerns for one's future employment opportunities.

There has been a damaging comment from female academic, Dr Laurie Maguire, A Fellow of Magdalen College: "He made an appalling error of judgement... "

I have spent some time wondering whether her criticism refers to the Monica Lewinsky affair or to the former President's decision to award special pardons to a number of well-connected criminals just before he left office in January 2001.

Either way, on the grounds that the post of Chancellor of the ancient University should remain in British hands I would, if I had a vote, support any of the other candidates. The choice of EU Commissioner Chris Patten, Former Deputy Prime Minister Lord Heseltine or SDP founder Baroness Williams will give rise to some interesting debates. - Peter Troy, Maunby, Thirsk.