MH17: Truth and mystery

It is uncanny that flight MH17, a Boeing 777 jet, took to the skies on 17th and was shot down. The airliner crashed under mysterious conditions. On March 24, 1968, an Air Lingus Viscount passenger airliner crashed into the Irish sea from an altitude of 17,000 feet, killing 61 passengers and crew. There exists evidence that missile and drone tests were conducted before and after the crash in the area. The cause of the crash was never resolved.

In 1980 a DC-9 plane crashed into the sea while on a flight between Bologna and Palermo killing 81 people on board. Conclusive evidence existed clearly revealing that an air-to-air missile destroyed the aircraft. The missile came from a Nato warplane which has actually aimed at then Libyan leader Muammar Gaddhaffi. There was an extensive cover up by many nations, and no one was brought to justice.

The problems that divide us are problems that are rooted in greed, egos and selfishness. To stop the estrangement of mankind, there must be a system that encourages service, benevolence and loving care for others no matter what their circumstances in life.

We must realise that the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice.

Farouk Araie, Johannesburg

• Pointing fingers straightaway at anybody for the shooting down of MH 17 before being facts are clearly established is just not acceptable. Unfortunately, if it turned out to be the case of one party [the West] pointing fingers at the other [Russia]. This does not in anyway help draw a conclusion based on facts established by an independent investigation into the exact cause.

Whatever the reason behind the disaster, the warring parties were not supposed to fire long range surface-to-air missiles in what until then had essentially been ground warfare. Having said that, the handing over of the black box to investigators by pro-Russian militants fighting in Ukraine has to be appreciated as also the openness of Russia and its pro-militants’ willingness to cooperate with the ‘ independent investigation’.

Vijayan S. Kallunad, Dubai

This is an appeal to President Putin to intervene with the pro-Russian rebels to co-operate for the recovery of the bodies and an investigation into the ill-fated Malaysian plane that was shot down. It is heartrending for the relations of the victims to think that the bodies of their kith cannot be recovered. When some bodies were loaded onto a train, the PM of Ukraine was unsure where the train was headed. This is a very bizarre and inhuman situation. President Putin has to instruct the pro-Russian rebels to withdraw and let the investigation proceed with no interference from any party. All forces must declare a complete ceasefire in the impacted areas.

Russian President Putin had earned some goodwill by counseling Syria and preventing America from bombing the country some months ago. He now stands to lose the global goodwill he garnered, unless he shows some leadership and initiative. He must act. Now.

Rajendra K. Aneja, Dubai