THE fuel crisis brought the people, the essential services, and the Government of this country to its knees.

Within one week the whole country came to a grinding halt, and no doubt within a further two more weeks could have brought about civil unrest and hysteria.

Just imagine what would become of us as people and the nation, if this fuel crisis had continued for a decade, or that we had been held for ransom by another country or group countries over fuel or some other essential commodity for the same period.

If we do really want to know, then just reflect back to those television images of poor children and people suffering in the hospitals and the streets of Iraq.

They are suffering because the countries within the membership of the United Nation led by the USA and fully supported by the UK, wish to punish one man, Saddam Hussain. Just to bring one man to his knees, because of atrocities, we are supporting policies that are inhumane and barbaric towards the people and children of Iraq.

If we can get our government to get to listen to us by expressing and demonstrating our disgust over the high fuel taxes, then surely we can, on a humanitarian basis, get our government to change its stance against Iraq, and help lift those inhumane sanctions that are crippling and killing innocent people and children in monstrous numbers.

As the saying goes -- 'two wrongs can never make a right'. We can however voice our concern and help correct the wrong to put it right. M Iqbal Essa Blackburn Road

Bolton