I urge Bob Geldof to add a total ban on arms sales to Africa to the demands of Live8.RICHARD BRENNANUNIVERSITY OF SUSSEX, BRIGHTON, SUSSEXSir: Am I the only one, apart from the entire population of Africa, left unmoved by the Live8 debacle? Live8 may appear a worthwhile cause to those who have flocked to the various concerts, and to the wealthy pop stars headlining the events around the world, but in reality, it will not make one iota of difference to African countries or their poor who will continue their hand-to-mouth existence in the most appalling conditions. In 2001 alone, as revealed by Campaign Against the Arms Trade, Britain exported £400m of arms to Africa A fifth of Africa's debt also comes from arms sales. Simply put, it was a privileged minority enjoying an ascendancy over everyday people. No change there then.ASHLEY TYASLONDON SE14Sir: I am surprised that there has been no mention in any of the Live8 adverts of the damage arms sales to Africa have played in the scale of poverty. If it was for security reasons, surely they would have been safer backstage? I find this at best, distasteful, and at worst, deeply saddening. The hundreds of thousands of people who had democratically won tickets for the event were a quarter of a mile from the stage, whilst a small number of "VIPs" had their own area at the front, with room to dance, stretch their legs and pose for the cameras. Targeting the G8 leaders ahead of their Edinburgh summit was a masterstroke by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure.
The message could not be clearer: "Change things or else there will be trouble." The heat is on those eight leaders.KENNEDY STEWARTWIGANSir: The "VIP" area in front of the Live8 stage told you everything you need to know about humanity, its innate behaviour and the reasons why Africa is in such a bad way. The popular belief among Serbs that they were victims during the war is hard to reconcile with these images. And the country's refusal to co-operate fully with the war crimes tribunal is hurting Serbia economically. All discussion of Serbia entering the European Union or Nato is off limits until Mladic and Karadzic are surrendered. Meanwhile, Serbs must watch their neighbours in Bulgaria and Romania making progress towards EU membership. It is also worth noting that this year more than a dozen other war crimes suspects have surrendered.It is premature to point to a sea change in Serbian attitudes towards their country's recent history - and its embodiment in the forms of Karadzic and Mladic. But Serbia should be in no doubt that it will never be in a position to join the fraternity of civilised nations while it chooses to protect two of the world's most notorious fugitives..
The five-ringed circus cranks into gear this week. The host of the 2012 Olympic Games will be announced in Singapore on Wednesday. The decision of the 115-strong International Olympic Committee will be nervously awaited in a number of cities, but particularly in London and Paris, the two front-runners. London has the all-important "momentum", but will it be enough to frustrate the Parisian team, who are waging their second consecutive campaign? This newspaper hopes that London's bid will be successful. One reason is that hosting the Olympics in this country would be beneficial for British sport.