WHILST no one can ever say that war is pleasant or nice - innocents always suffer - I wonder how York's female human shield feels now.

Your paper carried an article covering her return in which she stated there would be no welcome in Baghdad for the coalition forces. Was I watching some fictitious film on Wednesday, when I saw Baghdadians toppling statues, spitting on pictures of Saddam and praising the troops for their "freedom"?

How does she feel now? How can she justify her meddling? Did she ever consider what the majority of Iraqis wanted, but were too terrified to voice their desires?

Whatever the case, it seems she was wrong about the Iraqis' wishes, as well as thinking she could ever influence politicians this way. She might also want to reflect that she has the freedom to do as she wishes, but may have kept millions of innocent people slaves for decades had she got her way.

W Elliott,

Kinbrace Road,

Hartlepool.

Updated: 16:57 Friday, April 11, 2003