Third, interaction through trade and free movement will strengthen African identity.The modern African state is now a hostage of fortune. We hope that its weakening is the beginning of the end of 100 years of European political intervention in Africa. The failure of our modern states is a reminder of our stolen history, and of living other people’s destiny.There is nothing ludicrous about Africans wanting to shift colonial borders. Organising technical progress needs strong and efficient bureaucracies. But technological wanderlust is not part of our value system in Africa.For us, modernisation is fate.

For Europe, technical progress invokes a strong sense of accomplishment, ignorance about its social and environmental consequences notwithstanding. I am amazed that many people in this country use this caricature of precolonial Africa without realising how offensive it is. It is not enough that Europe stole our history, we ought to be grateful for the gift of modernity! There is a fundamental difference between the European and African views of modernisation and technical progress. That is as it should be.
Mr Dowden wonders how 10,000-odd war-mongering tribes could possibly have evolved into modern states without European intervention.

Working together with the health service, we are ensuring that victims of sexual offences get the best possible treatment they need where they feel most comfortable and secure.Yours sincerely, Tom Williamson Metropolitan Police London, SW1. From Mr David Ndii Sir: Richard Dowden (“A map does not a nation make”, 9 January) goes to great lengths to defend the colonial borders. The fact that territorial disputes between states are rare does not mean that the artificiality of the borders has nothing to do with the conflicts. We Africans do not identify with them, so why should we fight over them?

He correctly observes that internal conflict is caused by the politics of exclusion. It is precisely because our nation states are artificial that politics of exclusion are so pervasive Africans have no “social contract” with the state The state does not provide any sense of security Like its colonial predecessor, it is a predator state. Our affinities are, in order of importance, to family, clan, tribe, continent and state – in Kiswahili, we say “sisi wa-Afrika” (we Africans) to refer to the identity beyond the tribe. To do this we need to ensure they are offered a choice of facilities, staffed by specially trained people.

Hillingdon Hospital in west London has run the highly successful Juniper Suite for rape victims since April 1991, and this is an excellent example of the health service and police working together for the benefit of everyone.Our overriding aim is for victims of sexual assault to come forward, not only to report the crime but also to receive the support they need. Police premises offer victims safety and security and are frequently quieter places for their examination, which c an be immensely important for many people going through the traumatic aftermath of such a distressing crime.
We are always improving facilities for victims in the hope that more people will have the confidence to come forward and report these offences. Dr Ed Glucksman, director of the department where the rape suite is to be built, says that hospitals are “more appropriate” places for the examination of victims of sexual offences This will be true in many cases. However, the 11 very carefully designedvictim examination suites based at police buildings around London have been greatly appreciated by victims for more than 10 years. From Comdr Tom Williamson Sir: The decision to build a rape suite in King’s College Hospital’s new Accident and Emergency department (report, 10 January) is wholeheartedly welcomed and supported by the Metropolitan Police Service which is committed to achieving and maintaining the highest standards for the care of victims of sexual offences. From Mr R. Cooper Sir: Is it possible that the increase in vegetarian eating has produced a demand for increased supplies of dairy produce and, hence, a larger number of cows having calves that have nowhere to go but to the Continent?

Yours faithfully, R COOPER Fulford, York 10 January.