Letter: Action on Iraq

Sir: The Prime Minister has announced that there is no quarrel with the Iraqi people, only the Iraqi tyranny and its military.

Doubtless the same sentiments have inspired the US, often with British support, either to set up, arm or support Suharto, Noriega, Marcos, Pinochet, the Shah of Iran, the family tyrannies whom Saddam threatens, indeed Saddam himself when he embarked on his war against Iran, when the West wanted a strong friend to oppose Islamic fundamentalism.

As Tony Blair himself recently remarked: "We must learn from our history ... but not be mesmerised by it."

ADRIAN KOZLOWSKI

Birmingham