FEW would disagree with Janet Kitchen-Cooper (Letters, September 15) and others that the cause of the mass flight of Syrians from their country is the civil war that is going on there.

But to say that Syria “must be made safe in order for them to return” leaves aside the question of how this might be done.

Assad’s forces and the Isis rebels are equally brutal – both have used chemical weapons.

Since a diplomatic solution looks unlikely, both fighting forces would need to be defeated by military means.

Another letter-writer to The Press suggested last week “with a heavy heart” that this would necessitate our involvement in a war.

Ms Kitchen-Cooper suggests that “all countries affected (by the refugee crisis) should get together to deal with the terrorists”.

The latter would include President Assad, who is terrorising his countrymen, women, and children.

The suggestion that those who are making life in Syria intolerable for its citizens could be “dealt with” by nations acting together could only work if a coalition was put together, comprising both Middle Eastern and Western participants.

At present this is unimaginable.

Mary Machen, Beverley House, Main Street, Fulford, York

 

 

READING some of the letters on the migrant situation I wonder what planet some of these do-gooders come from.

I agree to see a child washed up on the beach is not acceptable but looking at the bigger picture here when the news media film the mass of people, how many families with children are there?

Not many in comparison to the numbers of fit-looking 20 to 25-year-olds dressed in designer clothes.

Isis are already bragging that they have got thousands of their members into Europe.

This is the biggest threat to life as we know it since Adolf Hitler tried to take over Europe.

I would like to ask the do-gooders if they get their way to bring in thousands of migrants, where are they going to live?

We don’t have enough houses for our people and the NHS can’t cope now, so we would see the collapse of the NHS.

There are not enough jobs for our young people now so what are they going to do?

There are only so many paying into the pot so where is the money coming from? The infrastructure won’t stand it.

B Norrie, Osbaldwick Lane, York

 

“WE want to be where we want to be and not where you send us.”

Is this the cry of people relieved to be away from the danger zone they are fleeing?

How on earth do they expect the countries whose borders they are tearing down to accept, in one go, thousands of young men with no identity.

Families and children are a little more prominent than in Italy or Calais.

Wake up Europe and the world. Just look at the film footage from Hungary, in fact look at footage from Italy, Kos, Calais, Greece.

It is all very well Amnesty International saying these young men only want a normal life.

Is this how they intend to get it, by barging their way through EU countries who have no idea who they are and where they come from?

Only time will tell where all this is going.

I hope and pray that how governments are dealing with this crisis turns out to be right and the refugees will find peace, security, joy and love in the countries they are demanding to be sent to.

K Exton, Wheldrake, York