17 AUGUST 1996, page 22

Altered States

Sir: My article on the Yasukuni shrine, as published ('Japan's PM defies a taboo', 10 August), refers to its associations with 'the state religion of Shinto'. What I actually......

Living With Russia

Sir: Frank Johnson's thoughtful analysis of Russia's love-hate affair with the West mer- its attention (Leading article, 22 June). Regrettably, Russian society and, in par-......

. Protesting Too Much

Sir: I can hardly blame Michael CoveneY for using your letters pages to try and get his own back on me (10 August). He still bears some ugly scars from his last effort to......

A Canadian Invention

Sir: Taki's column refers to 'Afro-freaks' and to 'jumping up high to grab mangoes, coconuts, even bananas' (High life, 27 July). I know that The Spectator, a magazine for the......

Mr Said's Gift

Sir: Paul Johnson refers to a shabby little left-winger who is prejudiced against indus- try and independent schools and probably an atheist (And another thing, 3 August).......