Hear All Sides

WAR ON TERRORISM

IN his carefully crafted article (Echo, Nov 2) Glen Reynolds supports non-violent dissension in a wartime situation by using the example of Martin Luther King's attitude and reaction to the Vietnam war.

He failed to mention, at the time of Dr King's protest, the Black Muslim movement in America was advocating a separate Black Muslim state, and the march which Dr King was leading was going to Washington which had, and still has, a predominantly black population.

Add to this background, the gun culture in America, it was no surprise when Dr King was assassinated. He may have been a good preacher, but he was a bad strategist.

If we had relied on conscientious objectors during the Second World War, the invasion of Normandy would not have happened and the crematorium at Belsen would have still been meeting its production targets.

As for quoting the Bible, Mr Reynolds should remember that if Moses, Joshua and David had been non-violent dissenters then Jesus Christ would not have existed.

It is only through the ultimate sacrifice of others that we, including Mr Reynolds, enjoy the freedom and privileges we have today. - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor.

LET us not forget that the war on bin Laden, the Taliban who protect him and terrorism in general, is as a result of the dreadful atrocities committed on September 11.

In an attempt to bring these monsters to justice, war against terrorism has been waged and innocent people are being killed in the process. This is a dreadful but inevitable situation. What is the alternative?

For Hugh Pender (HAS, Oct 30) to suggest that we are terrorists as a result of this action is offensive to us all, particularly our armed forces in action, and beggars belief. - Name and address supplied.

TONY Blair risks losing the support of the EU allies if he persists in talking to a "select group of allies" rather than working through the EU institutions.

By inviting the Germans, French, Italians and Spanish to a mini-summit at 10 Downing Street the other day, the Prime Minister provoked a response from the smaller European nations, such as Portugal, who rightly stated that initiatives of this kind do not contribute to the anti-terrorist campaign or to European unity.

Whilst I would applaud Mr Blair's energy in his recent diplomatic efforts, I am concerned that much of what is being done in the war against terror is outside the normal international institutions that at least guarantee a modicum of openness and democratic accountability.

Not only is the EU being sidelined, but there also seems to be no apparent role for Nato or the United Nations.

This is becoming a dangerous move in my opinion, as our country seems at risk of being drawn along in the slipstream of unilateral American action over which we have no control; international institutions at least give us some control. - Diana Wallis, MEP, Yorkshire and the Humber.

GLEN Reynolds (Echo, Nov 2) offers no alternative solution to that already being pursued.

The dissenters march the streets with the usual Communist flags and we must all agree with them because they can shout louder than we can. We've seen the same "peaceful" people vandalise the Cenotaph and Churchill's statue and smash the route up for good measure.

Mr Reynolds' view of America is misguided. Nobody likes nuclear weapons, but Japan was determined as a nation to fight to the last man. This would have meant the ultimate destruction of that nation and many more British and American casualties. In a horribly painful way, the bombs brought the end of the war forward and saved many more innocent lives.

As for Afghanistan, it will be the military of the US and Britain who will be best placed to feed the starving innocents, especially when the winter draws in.

Yes, the dissenters are allowed their opinion and an alternative strategy would be nice. Ring bin Laden for some advice.

Mr Reynolds ended with the words, thank God Almighty I'm free at last. Your freedom came at a heavy price. - Jim Tague, Bishop Auckland.

REMEMBRANCE DAY

AS November 11 approaches, the act of remembrance should take on a greater significance this year than many previous years.

Not only are British and American forces in action in Afghanistan, but it is two months since the attack on the world trade centre.

As people stand at 11 o'clock on the 11th it would be nice to think that the act of remembrance did not just occur on this date. We should all remember that the young men who have fought and died in conflicts throughout the 20th Century, did so to give later generations the freedom we enjoy today.

This, however, is not the case in Sedgefield, where for three years I have been requesting that the town council re-paint the names on the war memorial which are badly faded. All these requests have been ignored.

Councillors will be out in force on Sunday to lay wreaths. However, as soon as this is done, the fallen will be forgotten for another year.

As there are no laws to force authorities into maintaining these memorials, they are easily neglected.

Let us hope that the people who died on September 11, as well as the young men and women who are currently serving this country, are not so shoddily treated as their forefathers have been.

We shall remember them means 365 days of the year, not just one. - W Robinson, Sedgefield.