WHILE the Bush administration appears determined to crush Iraq over the illegal weapons issue, we are led to believe that all will be well when Saddam Hussain is toppled.

Somehow I don't think so.

Indeed it's the ordinary innocent people, the pawns, who will suffer the brunt of the conflict as per usual.

Both past colonialism and present day tinpot dictators are the root cause of all past troubles over the years. With oppressive regimes fuelling all dissidents to take action, and we all know where that leads -- terrorism!

Moreover, the Western powers must take a considerable amount of blame in particular for this dilemma, leaving abject poverty to fester too!

Incidentally, it really is about time that human rights violations were put at the top of the agenda first and foremost, instead of more conflict.

Therefore, instead of spending billions on war, spend it on peace by helping those who live in poverty and oppression.

J Hunt, Carrfield, Bamber Bridge