DESPITE the anti-war protests over the weekend, it still looks as if war against Iraq is almost inevitable.

In this situation, I find myself wondering what the outcome of such a war would be.

The likelihood is that Saddam has no weapons of mass destruction. It is also likely that the Iraqi people, so fed up with Saddam Hussein, will not put up a great fight. The war could be over in weeks, and with very few casualties.

Those who are pro-war are saying that if this is the case, then it proves that a short, sharp war which rids Iraq of a dictator was the best thing that could happen. I'm not so sure. If a war goes ahead and no weapons of mass destruction are found, will we ever believe our Government, or the government of the United States, again? If they lied to us they will lose all credibility, even though they win the war.

Such a war would also show that the United States simply wants to rule the world. It will show that the real agenda of America is to have the Middle East under its control. The excuse will be that they are bringing democracy to the world, but the truth will be that they want to secure their influence.

A war against Iraq, even if it is soon won, will also further weaken the United Nations and Nato. Even if there is a second resolution by the Security Council, it will look as if the UN has been bullied into it by the USA. Nato, too, will appear sidelined.

If we weaken these international organisations, we do so at our peril. If they are shown to be mere fronts for American imperialism, then it will only lead to a rise in terrorism. With one great superpower ruling the world, terrorism is bound to increase, because it will be the only form of protest left.

This is why I worry that a short, sharp war may, in the long run, mean a dark future for our world.

It could also mean a dark future for community relations in our own nation and in our own town. If it is revealed that America wants to rule the Middle East, then it may polarise us against our Moslem communities. This is why we must redouble our efforts in interfaith relations to prevent this. The last thing we need is for an us-and-them feeling to build up in Bolton as a result of world events.

Let us pray with our Muslim friends in this season of Eid that we can all continue to work together for peace, come what may.

Michael Williams

Vicar of Bolton Parish Church