S INNES wanted to know, in view of the recent terrorist attack in the US, the motive of the thousands of Afghan/Iraqi/Iranian males, who are trying to enter Britain illegally (You Say, September 19).

In contrast, I also would like to ask - when a dictator is not a dictator?

In the 70s, Argentina bought British-made weapons and during the Falklands War, some of these weapons were used against British troops. During the Iran and Iraq war, Western countries aided and abetted Iraq to destroy the Ayatollah's regime in Iran. Needless to say, Iraq is no longer a friend of the West.

When Russia invaded Afghanistan - during Afghan's internal squabbles - America helped and supported the Mujahaddin fighters in their struggle against the Soviet Army.

Now the American and British governments are seeking to bring Iran and Russia on their side, in their bid of a possible military action against the Taliban government in Afghanistan.

America also lifted the sanctions against India and Pakistan, which were imposed on the two countries for testing nuclear weapons in 1998. Exonerating autocratic governments to gain their consensus for our own expediency will have repercussions.

MR L SPITERI,

Worcester.