Madam, - We know that Saddam Hussein killed thousands of Iraqis and imprisoned thousands of his opponents. We also know that, in the past six months, the American armed forces have killed thousands of Iraqis and imprisoned thousands of their opponents - and that they imprison more every day. At the same time, security for ordinary Iraqis is less, and the standard of living lower, than they were at the beginning of this year.
My question is serious: Why do some intelligent people, including John Waters, believe that this latter state of affairs is better than the former? - Yours, etc.,
DESMOND FENNELL, Anguillara, Rome, Italy.
Madam, - Is there any end to the double standards of the US administration leaders? Only a few months ago they made it clear they saw the UN as essentially a talking shop and would shed no tears if it fell apart. Now, having failed abysmally to anticipate the problems that would arise once they had conquered Iraq, they want the rest of the world to help them out of the hole they've dug for themselves, but still wish to retain control by having their man in command.
Before their request is considered, they should be required to pay off the enormous debt they owe the UN, both for peace-keeping and other matters. The figure stood last April at $1.3 billion, nearly 50 per cent of the total due to the UN. - Yours, etc.,
DAVID KELLY, Ballinclea Road, Killiney, Co Dublin.