THE anniversary of 9/11 has just passed.

I wonder if Evening News readers might wish to ponder whether they feel they are in a safer world now Bush and Blair have joined together in wishing pre-emptive strikes on countries that pose a threat to US interests?

What a stupid way of making the world a safer place.

As Bush and Blair (above) wriggle and evade over the reasons for wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, it becomes more obvious by the day that this is a war that cannot be won by force of arms only.

Neither of these battles are won yet. It appears that in Afghanistan the "Warlords", with US backing, are now back in control of the country and its heroin-producing business. In Iraq soldiers and civilians die daily.

Suspected terrorists, mostly Muslims, are rounded up daily and imprisoned without trial or even legal representation.

Do you want to give a reason for Islamic militants to terrorise us? You are going about it the right way, George and Tony.

The real reasons for going to war were that the US military were going to lose bases in Saudi Arabia because of Islamic militants in that country.

They wanted Iraq for strategic Middle East bases to protect US oil interests. In the case of Afghanistan a projected oil pipeline is to be built through this country. The US wants to control this pipeline.

This is what President Blair has signed us up for. Perhaps we might remember this at the ballot box in a few months time.

TERRY JAMES,

Drakes Broughton.