International -- Readers Report
Maybe It's Time for French Companies to Say au Revoir
"The high cost of France's aversion to layoffs" (European Business, Nov. 5) addresses the frustration of Corporate France while ignoring one ever-more-popular solution: Leaving the country.
Many of Europe's large companies have moved their plants to the U.S. rather than face forced bankruptcy, and I'm sure that all of America's recently unemployed would welcome the increased job opportunities.
Caroline Aldridge
Phoenix
When Beijing Should Stay out of the Stock Market
I can't agree with "Two steps forward..." (Asian Business, Nov. 12) that China's decision to stop selling nation-owned shares is a setback to reform. In 2000, the market value of China's stock market was 53% of China's gross domestic product. Of 58 million investors, 92% are individuals. So it is not a good idea for the government to compensate so many people [with the proceeds of these stocks] at the expense of other people's interest.
Most investors agree that reducing the state-owned stocks will help make China's market more healthy. But it is inappropriate that the government use its power to profit [from stocks].
Shao Heng
Shanghai
In the WTO, China and Taiwan Will Be Equals
By voting to include Taiwan and China, the World Trade Organization has taken a crucial step ("Can two Chinas live together in the WTO?" Asian Business, Nov. 19). These two memberships will boost both countries' economies and will strengthen the WTO.
The WTO will provide a forum for Taiwan and China to interact as equals. We hope China will not interfere with Taiwan's participation by introducing political issues into economic debates and that leaders will take advantage of this chance to bring economic progress and peace to people on both sides of the Taiwan Strait.
Jung-Tzung Yih
Taipei Economic &
Cultural Office
New York
Pakistan's Main Problem Is Lack of Education
I enjoyed Frederik Balfour's "Armed Forces Inc." about the Pakistani military's parasitic rule (American News, Nov. 12). At last somebody writes about the real reason behind Pakistan's half-century-old history of failure.
Pakistan's problems are not corrupt politicians and a corrupt military. Both are corrupt all around the world, even in developed countries. Countries have been able to succeed despite that. Pakistan's real problem is the lack of education. When all Pakistanis are educated, they will know what their country has done for them and what they have done for their country.
Ahsen Abro
Providence
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