Double tragedy for Diana's sons

So Diana, Princess of Wales, is dead -- a monumental shock that people around the world are unable to cope with.

She was the most favorite and lovable personality of the British royal family. The accident is too gruesome for description.

Yet life is full of uncertainties. For the people who die it is liberation from human bondage. But for those dear and near, who are left behind, they have to endure the grief for the rest of their lives.

Boys, in general, are more deeply attached to their moms than their fathers (vice versa in the case of girls). My heart goes out to princes William and Harry.

These little ones, at such a young age, have now suffered a double tragedy. Before they could get over the agony of their parents' divorce, the sensational and sudden death of their beloved mother must have shaken them to the core. May God be with them during this sorrowful period.

Perhaps Princess Diana could not fathom what it would be like marrying into the monarchy, bound by its own strict traditions and conventions. Even the divorce petition of Prince Charles, among one of 30 in a London Court on that fateful day in 1996, was a pathetic sight: "His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales versus Her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales!"

It was terribly sad that they let their personal interests override the rights of their kids. Do not the children's fundamental human rights dictate that their happiness lies in being with their parents under the one roof?

Aside from the above, what prompts me to write this letter was the outrageous behavior of photographers. Like blood-thirsty hounds, they pursued the lovers -- Di and Dodi -- day in and day out during the last days of their lives. Is there no code of ethics for such people? The media have clearly overstepped the limits in this case.

Having divorced her husband, Diana was on the threshold of a new private life. It was disgusting to read reports that speed- boats and helicopters, carrying the photographers, were hovering over various little islands in the sea to locate Diana and her lover.

What God-given right did these photographers have to intrude upon the privacy of individuals? "If you are a public figure, you have no right to any privacy." Well that seems to be the theory by which these "enterprising" photographers operate. If that is what press freedom means, let us rethink and God save the western "liberal" media profession!

And, if these are the values that the so-called "borderless world" would bring, we may have to agree with the famous quote by Prime Minister Mahathir Mohamad: "Asian values are universal values. European values are European values!"

Now what about the French police. Surely, they were aware of Princess Diana's visit to Paris. They must also have known that she was being chased around by the media.

The police promptly detained some photographers for questioning and also seize the two-wheelers used in the chase soon after the accident. What prevented them from acting well in advance, checking the misbehavior of these photographers and averting this tragic accident? Or was this media chase of private individuals an acceptable norm over there?

Lastly, I believe the royals must show their emotional feelings in public. It is a pity that princes William and Harry may also be advised not to cry when their dear mom is laid to rest.

Crying, you know, is a wonderful experience and it is a great stress reliever.

Who would want to have a royal "title" when you are not "entitled" to smile, laugh or cry?

D. CHANDRAMOULI

Jakarta