WAR AGAINST IRAQ: THE atrocities committed by the evil tyrant Saddam Hussein have been well publicised.

It was Edmund Burke who said: "The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing."

Tony Blair and George Bush are good men who have decided to do something.

The protest marchers who are parading our streets are shouting their insults not at the evil man but at the good men.

Tony Blair is standing by the side of the Americans who stood by our side in two world wars; he could do no less.

Contrary to what the critics say, our Prime Minister has stated that all money obtained from the sale of oil will be used to benefit the people of Iraq.

Mr Blair's credibility as a world statesman rises daily. His next objective is to negotiate peace in Palestine. - Rob Jameson, Peterlee.

I WAS reluctant, as were most people, to accept going to war against Saddam Hussein.

But now that we have taken the decision to remove this tyrant, I am convinced that the anti-war protestors will slow our side down, and have encouraged Saddam to stay and fight instead of capitulating.

The time for protesting has gone, the time for supporting quick action is now. Let's get this over with. - F Atkinson, Shincliffe.

THE idea seems to be prevalent that Arab public opinion is solidly behind Saddam Hussein. On what grounds, may I ask?

Is it based on the testimony of the six million Arabs who, according to one reliable source, have died at his hands? Or of the countless numbers bereaved, tortured or despoiled by him? I think not.

It seems to me the Western media often underestimates the Arabs. They are in fact the heirs of a long and honourable tradition - of a civilisation that was at its height when ours in the West was in its infancy.

I am sure the modern representatives of that civilisation are to be found, not in the ranks of al Qaida or the Republican Guard, but in the decent silent majority, including those in Saddam's prisons and torture chambers. - Tony Kelly, Crook.

PARLIAMENT

WHY can't Her Majesty's Government institute a Back to Work policy for members of the House of Commons and find each of them a job. It's time they got on their bicycles and looked for work. - Terry Callaghan, Darlington.

WE are told that Tony Blair's 'reform' of the House of Lords is costing the taxpayer a fortune.

Pre-reform, 15 peers claimed £30,000, seven claimed more than £35,000 and none over £40,000 in expenses.

Latest figures show that 57 claimed £30,000, 23 demanded £35,000 and 11 of the ermine-clad freeloaders put in claims for more than £40,000 in expenses alone. I thought the word 'reform' meant change for the better. - Joan McTigue, Middlesbrough.

FIRE SERVICE

DOES Mr Ryan (HAS, Mar 21) realise firefighters are on duty from 1700hrs to 0900hrs the following day and are on call between those hours.

If he were on duty for 16 hours would he be fully alert for any type of incident ranging from multiple road traffic accidents to families trapped in burning buildings? Come on, Mr Ryan, get the facts. - WA Larkings, Bishop Auckland.

AS a long-time retired fireman, joining just after the last war, the long hours and night shift were in operation then. They are not something new.

The men were nearly all ex-servicemen who were used to discipline and were all fit.

The wages were moderate then, the temptation being a pension after 30 years.

I have never been on strike in all my service, but I am very grateful for our union over the years for our better conditions of pay and hours.

John Prescott keeps on about knocking the FBU into shape by his threats but has he forgotten that he and his Labour MPs voted themselves a great big salary rise, a three-day week, a 25 per cent increase in their pensions plus three free holidays abroad every year, plus a big increase in their very ample expenses?

To all you anti-firemen writers, just take your blinkers off and please appreciate your loyal firemen who risk their lives to any 999 call they attend. - F Wealand, Darlington.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT

RE Councils divorce (Echo, Mar 14). As ever when divorce gets mentioned lawyers grin like Cheshire cats.

Both councillors Williams and Manton should be ashamed of the costs they are running up from the public purse.

Durham and Darlington taxpayers will be the losers in the bitter end. District auditors please note!

Perhaps divorce should be in our minds when we vote in the next local elections. - NA Hare, Darlington.

LAW AND ORDER

I SEE we are to pay more yet again for a non-existent police force in Colburn and surrounding areas and it is about time something was done about it.

The police in this area turn a blind eye to anything that would mean getting out of their patrol car. If you like to drive about with no road tax then this is the area for you to live.

What happened to the law that says untaxed vehicles can be crushed? Drivers can block footpaths, park at traffic lights, on double yellow lines and in bus stops and the police will drive past looking the other way.

It is about time we saw some positive policing in this area. - Tom Amos, Colburn.