Courting Libya

Watching David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy’s gloating display in a Libya that lies in ruins and facing an uncertain future (your report, 17 September) the conclusion I drew was that this pair were courting the newly-anointed Libyan leader to stake their claim for that countries oil wealth.

Watching this smiling pair reminded me of the famous Victor Hugo letter about the 1860 China military expedition and the sacking of the Summer Palace.

Hugo said: “One day two bandits entered the Summer Palace. One plundered, and the other burned. One of the two victors filled his pockets; when the other saw this he filled his coffers and back they came to Europe laughing all the way. Before history, one of the two bandits will be called France; the other will be called England. Meanwhile, there is a theft and two thieves.”

Plus ça change.

Tom Minogue

Victoria Terrace

Dunfermline, Fife