Sir

On reading your letters section, I could hardly believe my eyes seeing such blatantly, anti-Bulgarian, racial comments by your readers (Letters to the Editor, The Sofia Echo, January 11 2008).

The first one called the knife-wielding Australian brave. Ridiculous! Why was he carrying a knife in the first place if not to use it? Let’s not forget that he killed someone. Anyway, I’m sure he will get a fair trial and justice will prevail.

The second one commented on behaviour after a road incident. Well, this kind of behaviour happens when people are stressed after an accident, is not limited to Bulgaria and is often brought on by the attitude of the other party.

As for the black guy who says he was singled out by two rough-looking skinheads, well, I see that this racialist stuff happens to all, and I’m sorry, but unfortunately it’s worldwide. We only have his side of the story, maybe he and his friends did something to antagonise his attackers in the first place?

As for the idea that non-Bulgarians will get locked up on the slightest pretext and won’t get justice, ridiculous and outrageous.

I’ve lived here a good few years and I find that the police and authorities often lean over backwards to treat foreigners with extra civility and respect. Well, that’s as long as the foreigners also treat the police and authorities with respect too.

David Clark