ADRIAN ELLIOTT (Letters, January 28) accuses me of using selective evidence when I said the world of the 1960s was a much better place than now.

He cites the huge unrest taking-place in Algeria at that time. Such violence was going on, but not affecting anywhere else, save the old colonial country, France.

The point of my letter was to say how peaceful the world was in those times and I still maintain I was correct.

Nor was I over-stating the positive features of the past.

Here is a case in point to illustrate how dangerous the world is getting. After leaving the Merchant Navy, I worked in industrial refrigeration and had occasion to work at the propylene gas plant at Ras Lanuf, Libya, when Colonel Gaddafi was in charge.

My flight landed in Benghazi and I was met, and driven by, a Libyan engineer to Ras Lanuf.

During six weeks in Libya, I was encountered friendliness and good humour from all Libyans I met. Recently all Westerners were told to leave Benghazi for their own safety.

Proof again of the mayhem gradually taking over the world.

Philip Roe Roman Avenue South, Stamford Bridge.