HAVING read the Rev Williams' column on February 17, regarding war on Iraq, I have to say that I disagree completely with his views.

I would like to put forward an alternative viewpoint.

Saddam is a thoroughly evil man. He rules by terror, he is known to have sought nuclear materials, and has already invaded two of his neighbouring countries with the loss of many Muslim lives. No one, in fact, has caused the loss of more Muslim lives than he.

He has persecuted his own people both in the north and south of his country, having murdered more than a million people in the south by the use of poisoned gas alone, and even now is continuing to drain the marshes where they live, thereby destroying their environment and rendering them homeless and destitute.

Torture and execution are routine in Iraq today, and when his prisons are full he simply shoots the prisoners to make way for more. The world will never be safe while he remains in control. Knowing what we know about him, I am amazed that Muslims living in the free world are not delighted at the prospect of his removal from power.

While we all know that this would be a war against terror, and in no way a religious war, it is unfortunately Muslims themselves who persist in seeing it that way. As for America wishing to rule the world, this is of course complete nonsense. America has always fought on the side of freedom and democracy against the forces of tyranny and oppression, and this would be no exception, not forgetting the danger he will pose to peace if he remains in power.

If there is war, which will probably be short, many more lives will ultimately be saved than if he is allowed to remain. The Rev Williams would do better attempting to convince his Muslim friends that America is on their side, and it is Muslims who will benefit most if and when Iraq is set free from Saddam's tyrannical rule.

David Haworth

Upper Mead

Egerton, Bolton