UNDER Thatcherism, Britain became virtually the 51st state of the United States. Margaret was so besotted with the presidential rancher she obsequiously allowed him everything -- including refuelling of American planes meant to eliminate Colonel Ghadaffi and family in Libya. "Only" his son was killed.

And then we wonder why the world suffered Lockerbie. And the search is on for the perpetrators -- meanwhile the initial perpetrators of the terrorist assassination attempt lived on, ignored in their western political havens of the White House and Downing Street.

In Thatcher's footsteps our present Prime Minister becomes the lackey of the Americans, subserviently steaming around continental capitals on their behalf.

Vietnam has become historical cliche. I could qualify my contentions of current US terrorism with paragraphs about central America; Puerto Rico, Cuba and, specifically, Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean.

Once upon a time I used to rail against the evils of Soviet communist totalitarianism. Now, I fear a power that assumes the right to impose on the world its own "star wars" domination.

As we have seen, it doesn't work. And never will, until US presidents realise negotiations can seek to achieve what power politics never will.

ROBIN PARKER, St Chad's Avenue, Chatburn.