This is with reference to the article “The manufacture of consensus and legitimacy” (May 13). The writer has diminished the role of international humanitarian organisations as being mere puppets of western countries, as is evident from his statement with reference to the civil war in Nigeria in the late 1960s. Even though it was made with reference to a specific situation, it reflects badly on humanitarian organisations. Most of these organisations adhere to the principles of neutrality and impartiality. Their aim is not to stop wars or split countries but to alleviate suffering and save lives, operating in difficult circumstances and in places such as Africa and Papua New Guinea — areas plagued by years of conflict and off the media radar.
Such statements only demoralise humanitarian workers who are committed to saving lives in conflicts and disasters.
Arjun Claire,
New Delhi
***
The article is right in highlighting the hegemony of strong nations viz-a-viz the weaker ones.The veto power of the UN Security Council should not be misused for personal gain.
Binod Bhattarai,
Puducherry
