WITH reference to a recent article by the Rev Michael Williams.

To state that the attempt to remove the evil, brutal, war-mongering dictator from power that is Saddam, and to give the Iraqi people the opportunity to become a free, democratic nation is the work of the Devil, really is to stand logic on its head.

The freedom and democracy which we currently enjoy has had to be fought for and defended, and no doubt will have to be defended in the future unless we have the military power to deter all possible future aggressors. The pacifist line will guarantee that our freedom will eventually be lost. We live today in an ever more dangerous world, with many brutal dictators who present a great threat to peace, Saddam currently posing the most immediate danger. Do not forget that he has already invaded two of his neighbours at the cost of thousands of lives, and would do so again given the chance. Our Prime Minister also deserves our full support on this issue, having recognised that failure to act now will almost certainly lead to consequences that are far more serious in the future.

The greatest threat to peace, however, probably comes from the ever growing number of terrorists, who are being indoctrinated by evil clerics (and, yes, they are Muslims, Mr Williams, whether you wish to acknowledge the fact or not), with hatred, and a desire to murder all non-Muslims in as large a number as possible, sacrificing their own lives if necessary in the process.

It is they who deserve your condemnation, Mr Williams, not we or the Americans who are trying to resist them and prevent the free world descending into chaos.

Remember the words of a wise man who said something to the effect that, for evil to triumph, it is merely sufficient that good men do nothing.

David Haworth

Upper Mead

Egerton

Bolton