ON October 23, 2002, the Bolton Evening News published a letter of mine saying the Iraq question must be dealt with through the United Nations.

I have, on reading the American magazine "Time", issue January 2003, learned that the support of the American people for Bush's war on Iraq was, at its highest, 85 per cent approval. That has now dropped to 55 per cent, and falling.

The recent $9B fraud by Enron and World Com, exposed by the persistence of three American ladies, has rocked the whole of Big Business. There have been arrests, and names of people in high places are being questioned. Fourteen thousand people have lost their jobs, and millions suffered loss of pensions. The eagerness of Bush to start a war with Iraq would put the scandal on the "back-burner", as they say, in America. Bush's latest statement -- "I am sick and tired of Iraq's weapons of mass destruction, and time for Hussein is running out".

The Inspectors have found nothing yet to indicate any such weapons. They have to report on the 27th of this month. If the report does not satisfy Bush, and he ignores the UN, that is his decision. That Blair should follow him would be a disgrace, a shameful act.

John S L Evans

Howard Avenue

Deane, Bolton