WAR AGAINST IRAQ: THE people of Iraq were promised by a top British general that "our armies do not come into your cities as conquerors or enemies, but as liberators" - not in 2003 but in 1917.

Just years later Britain was using chemical weapons against the Iraqi people.

Britain's troops will deliver on what they are asked to do. Let's hope that George Bush and Tony Blair will deliver on their promises to work for a free Iraq and a fair peace across the Middle East.

Too many times Britain and America have "won" the war, but lost the peace, delivering another generation to pain, hatred and dangerous anger. - Paul Leake, Gilesgate, Durham.

THE Rev Harold Heslop (HAS, Mar 25) has missed the point regarding the link between Iraq and the Palestinian problem.

It is true that Israel is a democracy, and many Israelis are outspoken in their condemnation of their government's policies. It is also true that Islamist militant groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad are fundamentally anti-Semitic and will never recognise the state of Israel. However, it is hypocritical to condemn human rights abuses in Iraq while tacitly condoning them in Palestine, and Saddam exploits this very effectively.

Successive Israeli governments have brutally oppressed the Palestinian people, and refused to make peace in the only way possible: guaranteed security for Israel in return for an end to the Israeli occupation of Palestine and evacuation of the illegal settlements. This solution is supported by the majority of Palestinians, neighbouring Arab states and the United Nations.

If the Americans had worked with the UN to achieve justice for the Palestinians, they could have disempowered the Islamic extremists and deprived Saddam of his claim to be the champion of the Palestinian cause. This would have drastically undermined support for Saddam, and made the job of removing him much less difficult and bloody. - Pete Winstanley, Durham.

IF the war against Iraq were purely about oil it would be to ensure a constant supply of oil for America.

Jason Roberts (HAS, Mar 26) is correct when he states that Tony Blair has stated that all profits from the sale of Iraqi oil are to be spent on the Iraqis. However no one has stated to whom this oil will be sold.

A clue to this can be found in a statement made by an American politician who stated live on television that "to the victor come the spoils of war". Are we therefore to assume that Iraq is to be rebuilt from the profits of oil sold to America? Which, by some strange coincidence, would ensure a constant oil supply for America. - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

CAN Hugh Pender (HAS, Mar 26) really expect to be taken seriously when he refers to Tony Blair as a "self-professed Christian" and George Bush as "another so-called Christian"?

And what sort of mind can think of Mr Blair as a terrorist?

Could Mr Pender give some explanation of his belief that Britain or the United States should feel threatened by Israel? If our leaders were so inexcusably paranoid we would, indeed, have cause to worry about them. - Rev Harold Heslop, Crook.

I COULD not believe my ears when I listened to the outcry over showing prisoners on Iraqi TV.

The Geneva Convention was ignored and discarded long ago but we use it when it suits us.

We are using weapons of mass destruction in Iraq including cluster bombs and we have the bare-faced hypocrisy to accuse Iraq of contravening the Convention.

The indiscriminate bombing of civilians during the 1939-45 war by both sides effectively destroyed this ridiculous idea of conducting a gentleman's war.

The dropping of nuclear bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki consigned the Geneva Convention to the dustbin.

Quite simply, people in glass houses should not throw stones. - Hugh Pender, Darlington.

HOSPICE

IT was great to read the good news (Echo, Mar 14) about St Teresa's Hospice's celebrations as the care unit funding target was reached.

Having been cared for at St Teresa's, I speak from personal experience when I say the care, empathy, support and love are second to none. Thankfully, I am in remission, but whenever I need medical advice, help or treatment it is all there for me.

Thank you for publicising and supporting the hospice's work as this gives recognition to the dedication of the volunteers, nurses, the medical director and everyone concerned with the welfare of the patients. - Elsie Morton, Darlington.

NELSON MANDELA

I AM not a supporter of apartheid systems but think it is 100 per cent inappropriate that Nelson Mandela should have his own statue in Trafalgar Square.

Are we so unpatriotic that one of our home-grown heroes can't be honoured instead?

How about illustrious King Arthur? Without his sacrifice, our race and nation could have vanished.

Is his Britishness too "politically incorrect"? - Aled Jones, Bridlington.

SINGLE CURRENCY

A NEW poll by Barclays Capital (Echo, Mar 21) showed that even if the Government said the five tests had been met and recommended entry, 47 per cent would still vote no compared to 38 per cent in favour. If a referendum on the euro were held today, 60 per cent would vote against, compared to 27 per cent in favour.

As divisions in Europe grow wider is it not time we put the matter to bed once and for all and end the uncertainty? - Neil Herron, Sunderland.