I WISH to reply to Malcolm Pittock's view of terrorism and war.

War is a contest between nations using force of arms, with warriors taking part.

Guerrilla war is "Irregular Warfare" between nations using force of arms, with warriors taking part.

Terrorism is not warfare, but a state of terror imposed upon the civilian population of a nation by force of arms.

Therefore, terrorism is a violation of basic human rights. (This is the proper remit of the "Court of Human Rights").

This means that the Al Quida terrorists who imposed a reign of terror against the Afghan population are guilty against the Human Rights Act and should not be covered by the Geneva Convention.

If the Al Quida had attacked the armed forces of America, then that might be considered a guerrilla warfare and be acceptable.

The atomic bombs against Japan should be dealt with as war. They were dropped with the sole intention of defeating Japan and stopping the war.

Surprise, surprise, Mr Pittock then goes on to Israel.

What must be remembered is that Israel was founded by the United Nations in the aftermath of the Second World War. Before the 1967 war, the West Bank was part of Jordan, which Israel annexed after defeating Jordan in that war.

Also Palestine is a Biblical term, the name of the Romans gave to the area. A Palestine state has never existed. The Palestinians are really Jordanians. As the Palestinians attack the civilian population of Israel, they should be described as terrorists and be dealt with accordingly.

Finally, as the United Nations created Israel, it is unlikely they will allow their creation to be destroyed, therefore America will continue to arm them.

Peter Greenhalgh

Belmont Road

Astley Bridge, Bolton