THE Prime Minister said the actions the Government has called for, including military attacks on Afghanistan, are "to defend our country, our economy and our way of life".

Resonant words, but what do they mean?

Previously, in his masterly speech to the Labour Party Conference, Tony Blair called for us all, internationally, to work for international justice; for an end to poverty and deprivation and for wide-ranging compassion.

He said our own self-interest and our mutual interests are inextricably woven together. Exactly!

So we must not try to defend just our economy and our way of life, but be concerned for a more just distribution of the world's wealth.

The rich nations have continued to fix prices, tilt world trade in their own favour, then wonder why poor nations resent our power and arrogance. We sell arms to all sides, looking to our own jobs and profits, then ask why everyone feels we are arrogant and selfish.

Tony Blair said: "Power, wealth and opportunity must be in the hands of the many, not the few."

Right again. But when shall we work on this agenda?

Joyce Pickard,

Saville Grove, York.

...AS Quakers we are called to live "in the virtue of that life and power that takes away the occasion of all wars."

Like others, we are deeply saddened at the loss of life in the USA on September 11, but we are equally distressed by the military response.

We affirm that the way forward should avoid more loss of life. We feel deeply for the plight of refugees from Afghanistan. We also affirm that the poverty, injustice and hopelessness so widespread in the world today must be addressed.

In speaking out we acknowledge that we ourselves are as limited, and as erring, as anyone else.

Peace begins with ourselves, but will we respond to what has happened with suspicion of our neighbours because of their ethnicity, dress, religion, race or culture?

Listening to others is vital, and every attempt must be made to increase understanding between people of different faiths and cultures.

Peter Robson,

The Religious Society of Friends,

Quaker Close,

Woodlands Drive, Scarborough.

...I AM not surprised that there are demonstrators against this war. I am only surprised that there aren't more.

The terrible events on September 11 were certainly sufficient to make any country feel outraged and revengeful, but I am not wholeheartedly behind Tony Blair's isolated action in risking our troops and spending millions in taking such an active role in supporting President George W Bush in his war against Afghanistan.

Innocent people will certainly pay the ultimate price there and anywhere else that feels the might of the American war-machine.

I can only hope and pray that our own country will not be subjected to reprisal attacks but I feel horribly sure that our people will suffer.

Heather Causnett,

Escrick Park Gardens,

Escrick, York.

...RIGHT now five and a half million people in Afghanistan desperately need food.

Because of the fear of military strikes, food supplies have recently been discontinued into Afghanistan.

If vital aid does not arrive by mid-November, many families could die this winter. Oxfam has launched an appeal, because cash is urgently needed to fund the emergency aid effort.

We need the help of the people of Yorkshire.To donate to Oxfam's Afghanistan appeal please call 0845 303 0023 or donate via your local Oxfam shop or online at:

www.oxfam.org.uk/afghanistan.

Rebecca Palmer,

Campaigns officer,

Oxfam,

Park Row, Leeds.

Updated: 10:47 Friday, October 19, 2001