I was horrified to read of the disgusting and brutal treatment of a York citizen by American soldiers in Northern Iraq (My al Qaida nightmare, August 2).

Many people will have seen street entertainer Michael Mime in York and must be outraged to hear how he was detained for three weeks, blindfolded, handcuffed, spat on and kicked by these American thugs.

I fear these so-called soldiers will never be brought to justice for their mis-treatment of prisoners.

However, maybe the politicians who caused this mess can be held accountable.

Perhaps it is time Mr Blair and Mr Bush were put on trial for the deaths of thousands of people in Iraq - including the British soldiers killed in the conflict, many of whom were, of course, killed by the Americans.

Dave Taylor,

New Walk Terrace,

York.

Updated: 11:15 Wednesday, August 06, 2003