Sir, - The tragic bombing in Nairobi has been dealt with by the Kenyans with elegance, compassion and a spirit of harambee which should be seen as an example to the whole world. Not a word of anger or recrimination has been spoken or written in the international media by any Kenyan. The behaviour of Kenyans shines like a beacon of light through the ominous darkness of this event. The entire hospital system was made almost bankrupt in a weekend.
Instead of offering rewards for information leading to arrests, the US Government might consider:
a) An immediate payment to all hospitals to cover all expenses incurred.
b) An immediate payment to all 5,000 injured of a sum adequate to cover all medical expenses present and expected.
c) An immediate payment to the families of those who died, equal at least to their lifetime earnings.
d) An immediate pledge to move the embassy out of its present sub-standard accommodation.
e) An immediate pledge to use its influence to see the immediate resumption of all stalled aid and loans to Kenya by both the US and other donors.
f) An offer of immediate compensation to all the struggling businesses which have been shut down by damage to their properties.
Kenya has always been a friend and ally of the United States. This tragic event was not the result of any lapse in Kenya's exemplary behaviour as host to the US. It is essential that those who died did not die in vain. Lessons must be learned. Priorities must be established. The US must accept that this tragic event cannot be left without massive further input.
While the personal loss and tragedy can never be evaluated nor compensated, the material losses should be made up immediately. - Yours, etc., David Beglin,
Riverside Drive,
Nairobi,
Kenya.