PRESIDENT Saddam Hussain's invasion of Kuwait in 1991 was wrong, unwarranted and totally unacceptable.

His dictatorial regime precipitated an international crisis that led to economic sanctions and political isolation. In this period of 12 years, not only Saddam Hussain and his regime, but ordinary Iraqi citizens experienced horrible starvation, disease, intellectual and cultural deprivation.

Why was Saddam Hussain not removed soon after the Iraqi Army was defeated and forced to retreat to Baghdad in 1991? The other interesting question is that despite the US and the British military presence in the region, why did we allow him to remain in power for so long and why has he suddenly become a threat to us now?

The attack on New York in September 2001 was a terrible act that killed innocent civilians. Any act which kills innocent civilians anywhere in the world must be condemned without reservation.

President Bush initiated the "war against terrorism" and secured UN Security Council approval to attack Afghanistan where the Taliban government (once allies of US) were thought to harbour Osama Bin Laden. The attack, led by the USA, was supported by the UK, the Labour government and the EU and others, including Muslim countries like Pakistan, Turkey and Indonesia.

Sadly, the war in Afghanistan has neither established 'democracy' nor eliminated the fear of terrorism. Kabul may be secure but the rest of Afghanistan has become even more dangerous than before. So, what have we achieved as a result of military action in Afghanistan? Who is suffering? Ordinary Afghani citizens are in worse conditions than before.

President Bush and Prime Minister Blair are desperate to achieve success in eliminating terrorism. They identified, somehow, that Saddam Hussain's Iraq as sponsor of terrorism. They claimed that Saddam Hussain had "weapons of mass destruction" and posed an "imminent threat" to the USA, Europe and the Middle East.

We invaded Iraq without the approval of the UN Security Council. The UN arms inspectors asked for more time, but President Bush and Prime Minister Blair could not wait. France, Germany, Russia and China suggested that UN Inspectors should be given more time and we should not rush into war.

The debate which should now take place is that if countries like the USA and the UK undermine the status of the UN, then why do we have the UN and its Security Council? What about the credibility and significance of the UN, if the USA and the UK lead a war without approval of its Security Council?

As if Prime Minister Blair did not get enough out of this illegal, immoral and unethical war on Iraq, his invitation to President Bush to come to the UK under the circumstances is an insult and humiliation to our great nation which stands for democracy and secular values.

We must use our courage, conviction and commitment to seek consultation and consensus of the British people and also in the UN Security Council. Had our present government done this consultation, we would have saved many innocent lives, including those of our brave soldiers.

COUN IMTIAZ PATEL DIP, Blackburn with Darwen Liberal Democrats.