SIR - Mark Starr (Letter, August 12), is a man of mistaken beliefs and enormous statements. The World Trade talks did not collapse because of EU attitudes, but because of the monumental intransigence of USA.

The EU does not prevent us having a voice in world talks. Instead, it enables us to have such a voice.

If the EU did not exist the UK would be alone on the planet and completely at the mercy of our two overbearing and mighty "allies", USA and Israel. We would be compelled to follow the line laid down for us by them. The EU is a glorious partnership of equals. The USA-Israel-UK line-up consists of two superpowers and one country (UK) of waning significance.

Of course, we are not reaping the calamities whirlwind of Blair's foreign policy. Our travel is severely curtailed and has become such a miserable experience that no one in his/her right mind will undertake air travel anyway, unless it is an absolute necessity. No doubt evil terrorists will soon turn their attentions again to internal rail and road transport as well. Attacks on shipping will also occur, no doubt. Our freedom is assailed as never before. The job of moderate and responsible leaders of the Muslim community in UK is to prevent their people being influenced in favour of evil fanatics.

Their job is being made well-nigh impossible by Blair's idiotic and wrongful insistence on supporting Israeli aggression and obstinacy wherever and whenever it occurs. We are not even safe in our beds as a result of our pathetic Prime Minister deserting the safety of the European fold and becoming involved in this alliance with the two superpowers.

D E MARGRETT

Worcester