The Mahathir administration (i.e. Dr Mahathir Mohamad alone) thinking that US President George W Bush would tolerate his excesses is an indication of the naivete of emerging democracies ('White House didn't beat around the bush', July 31).

The US institutions and political culture demand an adherence to some standard of fair-play. This does not mean that the US is above board, but at least there is a reasonable expectation that the culture and institutions would grant access to justice.