Letter: In Brief

Sir: Peter McKenna's depiction of US and UK policy on sanctions against Iraq (letter, 26 June) won't withstand a moment's scrutiny.

The Clinton administration has been at pains to soften the sanctions regime, despite Saddam Hussein's failure to comply with UN requirements regarding inspection of weapons facilities.

In October 1997 the US retreated from even a minor symbolic sanction - restricting travel for officials obstructing inspections - and agreed that Iraq should be allowed to sell oil to earn hard currency for food and medicine.

OLIVER KAMM

London WC1