Mixed message (From Oxford Mail)

Mixed message

6:03pm Sunday 7th February 2010

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I WOULD like to ask Gordon Brown to remind the Foreign Secretary, David Miliband, that his salary is paid by the British taxpayer and doesn’t come from Tel Aviv.

My concern is over Paul and Rachel Chandler, who have been held as hostages by Somalian pirates since October 2009 and are now in poor health.

According to Mr Miliband, he cannot get involved in negotiations with hostage takers. But that hasn’t stopped him involving himself with the release of Gilad Shalit, an Israeli soldier, being held hostage by Hamas.

Reports vary with regard to the ransom the pirates want for the release of the Chandlers. Apparently the sum of £100,000 had been agreed, but the UK Government refuses to pay.

Yet in comparison to the £65m paid recently for an Alberto Giacometti statue at Sotheby’s it is small change.

This statue looks like it has been thrown together by a trainee welder and, in my opinion, is not worth 50p at a car boot sale.

I know this makes me a bit of a Philistine but, as much as I stare at this monstrosity, I cannot appreciate its artistic value or see the Emperor’s clothes.

What a strange world we appear to live in.

R Lee

Burford Road

Witney

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