31 JULY 1976, Page 17

Dr Waldheim and Israel

Sir: Tsk ! Tsk ! What do I read in my Spectator of 17 July ? A letter from a very angry Terence Prittie. He abominates the UN Secretary-General, Dr Waldheim, for condemning the Israeli invasion of Entebbe airport. Then the spokesman of Britain and Israel writes: 'One should not forget that Dr Waldheim's Austrian countrymen joined with gusto and glee in the hideous persecution and mass-murder of the Jews by the Nazis'.

What have Dr Waldheim's Austrian 'countrymen got to do with all this? Could this be, er, racialism ? Or is Terence prettier than he sounds?

Patrick Marnham 35 Greek Street, London W1