I’M disappointed that Tony Kelly regards my recent letter about the Japanese Tsunami as a gloat about the suffering of the people of that country (HAS, March 29).

I was careful to make my letter a measured one and I quite specifically said that I did not regard this catastrophe as any sort of retribution.

My initial feelings obliged me to face a crisis of conscience.

The events and consequences of the treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) by the Japanese is still within living memory. Emotions remain raw and instinctive.

Fifteen years after World War Two I had workmates who were still traumatised by experiences as POWs in the Far East.

Much of the cruelty was prolonged, relentless and, far from showing remorse, the Japanese captors seem to gain some satisfaction from the suffering they inflicted.

Like Tony Kelly, I’m all too aware that atrocities were committed nearer to home but I did, I hope, make it plain that although I felt sympathy for the Japanese people, my conscience would not allow me to make any charitable contribution to this specific appeal.

I give to other causes but not this one.

VJ Connor, Bishop Auckland.