WHAT justifies war against Iraq? Is it that Iraq is ruled by an evil dictator, when America supported Saddam in his war against Iran?

Is it that Iraq has weapons of mass destruction, so far undiscovered, when other countries with such weapons do not face similar sanction?

Is it that Iraq is in breach of UN resolutions when America's chief Middle East ally Israel is likewise in violation?

Whatever the real reasons, those publicly stated are patently hogwash.

Given that America is the world's only superpower, a reason is not necessary. However, a post-Saddam solution is.

As ethnically divided as the old state of Yugoslavia, Iraq without a strong central regime could be something to which even a superpower has no answer or solution.

Richard Lamb,

Greystoke Road, York.

...MORE than 200 people attended a Peace Gig at Fibbers last Friday united in unequivocal opposition to war on Iraq.

Music has always had an important role in the peace movement and Friday night illustrated this at a local level, with the headline act, Ideal Standard, pointing to the anti-war march of one million people in Florence last year as inspiring one of their songs.

With preparations for a military assault on Iraq escalating daily, and the explicit support from the British Government for this unjustified assault that will kill thousands of innocent Iraqi civilians, the anti-war movement has to remain strong and resolute in its principled stance.

In York it has a key role to play in the national campaign against war on Iraq, which will be spearheaded by the next national demonstration in London on February 15.

Well done to York Students' Against The War, York Against the War and the acts that played on Friday for making a great showing of the local anti-war movement.

Rory Palmer,

Farrar Street,

York.

Updated: 11:17 Wednesday, January 15, 2003