THE news that we are to have a public meeting in Bolton to demonstrate objections to the bombings in Afghanistan doesn't surprise me in the least.

Whenever we have a situation that requires either retaliation or defensive action by this country, we have the same old tired calls to stop and allow the non-existent law to take its course.

As an Englishman who was in the Second World War, and also lost a brother in the first month of it (RAF), I am well aware that war is a last resort, and when it starts it gets nasty. However, it must be remembered that the Taliban refused to hand over bin Laden to the USA where he would, contrary to the Northern Alliance leaders, get a fair trial and innumerable appeals and would, under the American system, have probably died of old age anyway.

It has been calculated that the meeting in Bolton will be attended by as many as 500 protesters. When the organisers crow about this being a success, let it be remembered that there is a "silent majority" out there and they number many thousands.

The many poor of Afghanistan, starving though they are, were in no way put in that situation by our actions since September 11. Might I suggest to the organisers of the protest meeting that their efforts would be better employed organising relief for Afghanistan, rather than trying to perpetrate the present system?

Perhaps they would like to send a delegation to the Taliban to arrange it? After which they can do the same for the many millions in Africa?

Mr F Isherwood

Latham Road, Bolton