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| Syria conflict and the Nazi fugitive | Syria conflict and the Nazi fugitive |
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| One dirty secret that might have light shone on it as a consequence of the Syrian conflict (Report, 16 October) concerns the fate of Alois Brunner. In 2003, the Guardian described him as "the world's highest-ranking Nazi fugitive believed still alive" and he was reported to be last seen in Syria. As a captain in the SS and under the command of Adolf Eichmann, he was personally responsible for thousands of deportations from Austria, Greece, Slovakia and France. My family has a personal interest in knowing more as Brunner deported my father's uncle and aunt from the Hotel Excelsior in Nice to Drancy, from where they were taken to Auschwitz. It has not been established how he evaded capture in 1945, how he made his way to Syria or how he lived there. Lives are being lost and international interests being played out in Syria. I wouldn't want the story of Brunner to be any kind of trophy or bargaining chip in all this. I would hope that as and when the people of Syria find peace and justice they are also able to tell us more of what he did, what happened to him and why. Michael Rosen London | One dirty secret that might have light shone on it as a consequence of the Syrian conflict (Report, 16 October) concerns the fate of Alois Brunner. In 2003, the Guardian described him as "the world's highest-ranking Nazi fugitive believed still alive" and he was reported to be last seen in Syria. As a captain in the SS and under the command of Adolf Eichmann, he was personally responsible for thousands of deportations from Austria, Greece, Slovakia and France. My family has a personal interest in knowing more as Brunner deported my father's uncle and aunt from the Hotel Excelsior in Nice to Drancy, from where they were taken to Auschwitz. It has not been established how he evaded capture in 1945, how he made his way to Syria or how he lived there. Lives are being lost and international interests being played out in Syria. I wouldn't want the story of Brunner to be any kind of trophy or bargaining chip in all this. I would hope that as and when the people of Syria find peace and justice they are also able to tell us more of what he did, what happened to him and why. Michael Rosen London |
| • Having served at the British embassy office in 2006 and witnessed the life-threatening and costly mission in Basra, I am horrified that William Hague sees fit to close our diplomatic efforts in the region to save money. One thing that kept us strong was that when Basra did get better, the British would be there to make the most of trade opportunities – having spent the tough times building relationships and investing millions in development. Things have got better to an extent, but the Chinese and Koreans are now poised to benefit from the oil boom (Iraq 'could be No 2 oil producer in 20 years', 10 October). The Foreign Office compound in Basra Palace, handed over to the Iraqis in 2007, was said to have cost over £20m and there have been millions spent since ensuring the mission continued from the airport. Saddest is the loss of life of private contractors who were employed to look after us in Basra. It is a kick in the teeth for people like us – who survived daily mortar and rocket attacks in an effort to see it through until things improved – to have another short-sighted cut. Caroline Jaine Former diplomat; author, A Better Basra | • Having served at the British embassy office in 2006 and witnessed the life-threatening and costly mission in Basra, I am horrified that William Hague sees fit to close our diplomatic efforts in the region to save money. One thing that kept us strong was that when Basra did get better, the British would be there to make the most of trade opportunities – having spent the tough times building relationships and investing millions in development. Things have got better to an extent, but the Chinese and Koreans are now poised to benefit from the oil boom (Iraq 'could be No 2 oil producer in 20 years', 10 October). The Foreign Office compound in Basra Palace, handed over to the Iraqis in 2007, was said to have cost over £20m and there have been millions spent since ensuring the mission continued from the airport. Saddest is the loss of life of private contractors who were employed to look after us in Basra. It is a kick in the teeth for people like us – who survived daily mortar and rocket attacks in an effort to see it through until things improved – to have another short-sighted cut. Caroline Jaine Former diplomat; author, A Better Basra |
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