COL TIM COLLINS: HOW dare an officer in an army with the record of the US complain about the actions of a British army battalion commander? He claims that Colonel Tim Collins mistreated a civilian and some prisoners of war.

It is well-documented what American soldiers have done under orders from some of their officers in previous conflicts.

For example, at My Lai in Vietnam in 1968, American soldiers under a Lt Calley massacred 364 men, women and children, mutilating many of the bodies. The US army attempted to cover this up.

The amount of media coverage of the war in Iraq would have uncovered anything that was of the magnitude of what the Americans have done. - Peter Dolan, Newton Aycliffe.

A part-time American officer comes into verbal conflict with a superior officer after defying orders by giving sweets to Iraqi children. Shortly afterwards, this American officer makes claims that cause a British Army officer of exemplary repute to face investigations into alleged war crimes.

Where are the investigations into the numerous war crimes committed by America's armed forces? Why is no one being prosecuted for bombing civilian targets, for firing on and killing unarmed Iraqi civilians, for torturing and executing prisoners of war, for looting museums and homes?

The answer is that there are none nor likely to be any because America's immunity from prosecution for any war crimes committed by its armed forces gives its forces carte blanche to commit any atrocity.

British physical support for America has not only placed Britain in a situation where it could face prosecution for war crimes, but has turned Britain into a primary target to deflect any terrorist retaliation away from America.

But isn't that the real reason why George Bush wanted British support so much? - CT Riley, Spennymoor.

Redcar COUNCIL

IN RESPONSE to remarks made about the Labour leader on Redcar and Cleveland council George Dunning by his political opponents, I would like to say that he is the least arrogant man I know (Echo, May 14).

He is a very caring and Christian man, and a hard-working councillor.

The electors of the Teesville Ward endorsed this by returning him with a hugely-increased majority.

In negotiating the make-up of the council after the election, Coun Dunning sought justice and fairness for an electorate which voted for an all-party council - not a collaboration of three (non-Labour) parties.

The public elected 23 Labour councillors to the council. We are the majority group but have no representation on the executive. This is not democracy. - Councillor Sheelagh Clarke (Labour), Redcar and Cleveland council.

PIGEONS

I WONDER if your correspondent who wants to continue to be able to feed the pigeons in Darlington's Market Place has also considered feeding the large rat population in the town centre?

The reason for this thriving colony is the large amount of food waste, including uneaten pigeon corn, left in the Market Place.

The correspondent says the pigeons create "a little bit of mess which is tolerable". I suggest they spend ten minutes under the Albert Road railway bridge. This will be long enough for them to receive a liberal coating of slimey green excrement which constantly rains down from the 200-plus colony of pigeons nesting there. Alternative venues could also be found under the bridges in Parkgate and under the canopy above Millets. I suppose someone slipping and breaking a hip on the mess on the market steps is a small price to pay so that your correspondent can pursue their "harmless hobby".

As for the "small cost" of cleaning up the mess it would be interesting to know how much it does cost for the continual cleaning in the town.

I agree that "starving them to death" is not an option and, in the words of the song, "poisoning pigeons in the park" would be unacceptable due to the damage to the wild bird population. However, a good marksman could solve the problem with a few evenings of public spirited endeavour. - D Race, Darlington.

HUMMERSKNOTT SCHOOL

I WAS delighted to read Stuart Arnold's article "Row over language school policy on exam options" about Hummersknott School and Language College, Darlington (Echo, May 21).

At last. We went through a similar situation last year. My son worked really hard to get into the top French set and his reward was to be forced to take a second language. At the time, he was doing two other languages and the teacher of one of them told me she didn't expect to see him opting for that. That left him with one 'choice'. We are delighted that he is now working towards a grade D in short course Spanish. Meanwhile, he is having to make up his History GCSE to full course by attending an after-school 'top up' class.

The 'choice' being offered to students is a matter of the school's will, not legislation, and reflects the priorities of the management of the school.

I wrote numerous letters (including to the head, the chair of governors, the MP and the then Education Secretary Estelle Morris) but to no avail.

My only option would have been to move him to another school. Any thinking person will know that it is not on the cards to move a happy child away from his friends.

Schools are encouraged to apply for specialist status because of the extra funding it brings. The present headteacher says that parents were aware of the school's specialist status when the children joined, but I would be interested to know how many parents opted to send their children to Hummersknott on the basis of that status. And in our case, the school applied for and received this status after our children had gone there.

Pupils' option choices are always restricted, but this school is limiting the futures of a whole range of children whose interests lie in the humanities, arts and other creative subjects. - Name supplied, Darlington.