Letter: Egypt warnings

Hillary Clinton, the US Secretary of State, initially expressed hope of a gradual and peaceful transition in Egypt but refused to pull the plug on the embattled Mubarak.

President Obama was less cautious and may rue the day because the result of the present rioting is likely to be the replacement of the West's "partner in peace" by a clone of Iran.

In a similar situation 30 years ago, Jimmy Carter treated America's long-time ally, the Shah, like an international pariah and the democratic government replacing him imploded.

We should not forget that the Iranians also rioted for freedom and human rights but ended up with a rogue rgime promoting Islamic terrorism and hungry for nuclear weapons.

Sadly, there is no credible secular alternative in Egypt and the political vacuum is going to be filled by religious extremists organised and supported by our deadly nemesis, Iran.

(Dr) John Cameron

Howard Place

St Andrews