From Mr Rosario A. Iaconis.

Sir, Demeaning Italians on the world stage has long been de rigueur in Berlin, Paris and London. However, in attempting to convey the method to Silvio Berlusconi's peripatetic “peekaboo” politics (Global Insight, November 5), Guy Dinmore reinforced the selfsame anti-Italian stereotypes he claims to deplore in the capitals of Europe.