How has Foreign Minister Jack Straw the gall to stand in front of the world's media and state that this Government will not negotiate with terrorists in any circumstances?

Has he forgotten that Tony Blair took this country to war against the wishes of most Brits?

They have caused these problems in Iraq but, as always, everybody else is to blame but themselves. As for the words we will not negotiate, has he forgotten Ireland where terrorism has been rewarded with thousands of pounds paid in compensation to terrorists plus prime jobs in Government while the troops and the police who served on the front line and risked death or serious injury on a daily basis are castigated by the judiciary and the politicians for upholding law and order?

I would not believe them if the Government told me snow is white.

T J Ryder,

Priory Gardens,

Dringhouses,

York.

Updated: 11:11 Tuesday, April 27, 2004