The US has always had a moral advantage in world affairs. The US leaned towards democracy and human rights, and against aggressors. But that advantage is now being wasted.

The CIA taught torture in Latin America and other places. When Iraq was busy gassing the Iranians, the US was silent. When the US rescued Kuwait, they restored a dictatorship rather than create a democracy.

In the fight against al Qaida, the US does not treat their prisoners as prisoners of war, nor as criminals. Rather, they keep them blinded in open-air mesh kennels in Cuba. They prevent access by their consular officials and lawyers.

This is all contrary to the Geneva Convention and other international law. The only white American al Qaida caught in Afghanistan was convicted in criminal court in the US. But non-white Americans and citizens of Sweden, Canada, Britain, Pakistan, Afghanistan and others are just housed like dogs.

Now the US is demanding Iraq adhere to UN resolutions on threat of invasion. But they don't insist on the same compliance for Israel, which is violating more UN resolutions than Iraq is, and already has nuclear weapons.

Power has never been so naked. Isn't it time for the US to follow its own Constitution? Isn't it time for the US to regain the moral as well as the military high ground? Isn't it time for the only superpower to become a law-abiding member of the world community?

Or will the US continue to make enemies until the whole world is against them?

Tom Trottier,

Albert St, Ottawa,

Canada, K1R 7V8

...WHILE Iraq has been getting most of the negative publicity lately, Saudi Arabia seems just as bad, if not worse.

I don't see any reason to buy oil from these guys.

Americans, British and other Europeans should reduce their consumption of energy. They can do this fairly painlessly by:

- Not buying petrol-guzzling vehicles

- Inflating tyres properly (it can save five per cent in fuel)

- Using more foot-power, bicycles, trains and buses which will reduce the need to drive by 20 per cent

- Turning down heating

- Using compact fluorescent bulbs

- Recycling much more waste

We are engaged in a war of attrition here and, as in the Second World War, it will take petrol rationing to win.

Saving fuel saves money and lives.

With British (and American) petrol supplies due to run out in 12 to 15 years, it would be a good idea to start conserving.

Ken Johnson,

Duncan Place,

Palo Alto,

California, USA.

Updated: 10:37 Friday, September 27, 2002