WHO would credit it? Pro-Iraq war letter-writer Stephen Dalby not only admits it was the Western powers who backed and armed Saddam, but even argues it was the right thing to do so that he could start a war with Iran (July 5).

Can this be one of the same pro-war brigade who, a few months back, accused Stop The War campaigners of being soft on Saddam and not caring about his gassing of Kurds and Iranians? Perhaps this is an example of what politicians call being "flexible".

Ben Drake,

Danum Road,

Fulford, York.

Updated: 11:13 Thursday, July 08, 2004