The original justification for the war on Iraq was the threat that Saddam Hussein and his weapons of mass destruction posed to the world.

Then the emphasis shifted and became humanitarian with military action liberating the Iraqi people from Saddam's oppressive regime. Now its benefit is in bringing democracy to the Iraqis.

While George Bush is so keen on bringing the benefits of democracy to Iraq, he may wish to consider applying such benefits to the people of Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States.

But maybe not because such a move may well remove American influence in those countries.

Democracy, in the form of next year's American presidential election, is likely to have a far greater impact on the Middle East than any efforts to introduce it into such infertile places.

As Iraq descends further into a morass for coalition forces, and the Presidential election approaches, the fear must be that American forces will withdraw under the pretext of having installed a democratic regime in Baghdad.

Why should we be bothered if Iraq becomes the next Yugoslavia? Well, most of us have to fuel up and instability in the Middle East will send oil prices sky high.

With victories such as Iraq, the war on terrorism, while being extremely expensive, is also likely to be ineffective.

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road, York.

...I issue an open challenge to York MP Hugh Bayley to explain how and why new Government emergency legislation will be used.

The new draft anti-terror legislation can be used to forbid travel and also the assembly of people. Therefore, that two million strong anti-war demonstration early this year and the recent one during the visit by the American president could have been banned if this law had been in force.

This is really worthy of Hitler's Germany rather than the British law and constitution I respect.

To save his embarrassment Tony Blair would make criminals of thousands of families and their children, because, sometimes, when people are going to die in a needless war, or your freedom to make your voice heard is under threat of abolition, it is necessary to protest.

I am sure New Labour is not going to silence the majority opinion of the British people.

New Labour has already broken international law with a pre-emptive strike on Iraq, so why should they be respected?

Please explain, Mr Bayley.

Chris Clayton,

Hempland Drive,

York.

...ON the day that Islamic extremists, once again take innocent British and Muslim lives, the Save Saddam brigade raises again its head and, at great cost to York ratepayers, holds an anti-American demonstration against the president of the only country in the world capable of leading any kind of effective action against the Islamic terrorists whose respect for human life is nil.

The fact that one of the organisers of this protest is known for wanting to flood this country with the sons of Islam is all the more reason why those taking part in such protests should look very closely at the anarchist organisers of such protests.

The protesters also want the British detainees at Guantanamo Bay brought back to this country for trial, knowing full well that if they are found guilty in this country of terrorist acts against British servicemen they will only be given a slap on the wrists by our pathetic legal system.

I want them to be tried in America and then, if found guilty of plotting to take the lives of British servicemen, I want them shot.

Derek M Martin,

Fulford Road, York.

Updated: 11:12 Tuesday, November 25, 2003