From Mr C. J. Ryecart
Sir, - The widespread destruction of Christian-owned
properties and churches in Egypt as outlined in Amnesty
International's most recent report (News, 11
October) is in part a reflection of the dysfunctional
relationship that exists between the Churches in the West and their
governments.
The United States, supported by European governments, for
example, could have mitigated, if not pre-empted, the persecution
of Christians in Egypt by violent Islamic extremists by making
further Western aid to the Egyptian government conditional on its
security forces' providing adequate security and protection for
Chris-tian churches, buildings, and communities.
Without Western aid, it would not be able to pay its security
forces; so let them earn their salaries in a just cause!
CHRISTOPHER JOHN RYECART
Weinberg 4
Kefermarkt 4292
Upper Austria