I AM writing, most unhappily, to ask for the cooperation of readers and your newspapper in questioning this Government's seemingly irresistible drive towards involvement in a new Middle Eastern war.

As a strong supporter of most of New Labour's achievements, I am concerned that people seem very unsure, both of the moral grounds and of what could be achieved; but attempts to stay in a special relationship with the United States seem to have caused a suspension of commonsense as well as conscience.

Many people have asked me, "Why? What's the justification for an attack on Iraq?

"Are they invading, or threatening to invade, their neighbours? Are other Arab countries asking us to intervene? Is there proof of weapons programmes which seriously threaten Europe or America and is there a will to use such weapons? Do we have evidence of strongly supported terrorist bases inside Iraq which would enable attacks to be planned and carried out unpunished?"

As far as I can see, the answer to these and other questions is no, no and no. We are left with the undisputed facts about Saddam Hussain's ruthless dictatorship and thoroughly unpleasant regime which has pressed his own people for many years and, in the past, has attacked neighbours, sometimes with some support from the West.

However, if the choice is which damaging dictatorship to attack first, there are many other contenders.

The Iraquis are an oppressed nation, almost half aged under 18. UN weapons inspectors have had more than three months to check all the country's vital installations. International sanctions, coupled with policies of their own rulers, have already brought death and illness to thousands, particularly young children.

What moral justification is there for a bombing war to further devastate this war-torn area, to kill and maim thousands, including the inevitable casualties among the inexperienced but patriotic young British troops? What about the indescribable pollution, particularly from burning oil wells, (remember Kuwait?).

Also, billions of pounds which would be better spent on humanitarian aid and alleviating world poverty.

Surely we risk replacing Saddam Hussain with George Bush as a hate-figure throughout the world.

Cllr Clare Martens

(Deputy Leader

Labour Group

Wycombe District Council)

Kingsmead Road

High Wycombe

January 20, 2003 17:31