Should the report go further, however, an appalling vista looms. The loss of life on that day was proportionate in terms of population to the loss of life in the Twin Towers attack on 11 September 2001. That places the scale of the atrocity in perspective. If we are to enjoy good relations with any country, they must be based on mutual respect and if anything is revealed in this report, it must be dealt with honestly rather than trying to bury it and to build on sandy soil. That will not lead to a sustainable relationship in future.