Dear Editor, to those commenting on the visiting Mexican artist and what seems to this writer to be very inviting artwork on the sea wall at Nikao, the last time I looked at a world map Mexico fronts on the same Pacific Ocean as does the sea wall.

Our guest artist undoubtedly traces his papa’anga from one of the 60-plus indigenous language groups that populate Mexico and speaks Spanish only because his homeland was invaded by Spaniards.

The last time I checked, Cook Islanders are also indigenous Pacific Peoples. Our indigenous people were colonised by Papa’a. Who are Mexicans but our Pacific cousins?

To any local artists that feel left out, that’s a pretty long sea wall, why aren’t you at the other end sitting down and painting or is tuatua all you have on offer?

Thank you to George Angene for his vision and thank you to Gonzalo Aldana for your contribution.

(Name and address supplied)

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Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

A quick snapshot look at the history of Russia’s ‘takeovers’ of neighbouring countries post World War II will dispel any doubt about the ongoing focus of Soviet/Russian expansion.

1956 Hungarian Revolution – a bloody and brutal act of aggression by Russia. Many thousands of Hungarians were killed by Russian troops and tanks. 1956 Polish Revolution. 1968 Czechoslovakia Revolution.

There are many other smaller but just as aggressive examples of Russia’s ‘might is right’ attitude. However, the examples cited above suffice to indicate that Russia has never entirely backed away from expanding its communist ideology and borders.

The 1989 collapse of the Berlin Wall gave rise to international hope that the Soviet era of expansion was over. Regrettably Crimea recently, and now Ukraine are just the latest examples of the continuing arrogant and strongarm push by Russia, this time with Putin at the helm.

Andy Olah

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Whilst witnessing the crisis devastating Ukraine, and the Cook Islands’ current labour shortage, would it not be of benefit to our country to show immediate compassion?

I suggest our government and the powers that be, confirm and commit that we will take Ukrainian refugees without question. This will surely help the people of both our nations.
Here’s to future peace.

Jo Bevin
Nikao