THE Archbishop of York says war must be the very last resort as a new diplomatic world order emerges following the New York atrocities.

Writing exclusively in today's Evening Press, Dr David Hope says military action should be limited, proportionate and with minimised "collateral" damage to people and property.

He said that when Christians spoke of a just war, it did not mean that "anything goes."

And he questioned whether such action would improve the possibilities for eradicating terrorism and achieving real lasting safety and peace for the world.

"Or will such intervention simply stoke up further resentments and hatreds, and unleash even more terrible acts of aggression and terrorism?" he asked, calling for careful and wise discernment in decision-making. He said a new diplomatic world order seemed to be emerging which could lead to greater future understanding and co-operation. Japan was supporting America, Israelis were sitting down with Palestinians, Iran was pledging to work more closely with Britain and Vladimir Putin was urging that we should be forging real and lasting partnerships for peace.

"Such diplomatic exchanges and contacts need to be sustained and further strengthened if we really are to tackle some of the underlying issues of the global order."

Dr Hope said it was necessary to face what it is which gives rise to the "pernicious hatreds which breed such festering evil in the hearts of those who perpetrate such acts."

He said the breeding ground was often that of exclusion, oppression, poverty - a sense of hopelessness for the future, often fanned and exploited by the wilful misuse of religious faith and fervour.

Dr Hope spoke in support of greater internal security, saying that if freedom was truly to flourish, we might well expect some limitation on that freedom. He also spoke of the need for Christians to practise civic virtues - "not least in our multiracial society - a real respect for the dignity and wellbeing of every person, regardless of colour or creed."

Algerian pilot Lotfi Raissi was an instructor for four of the hijackers involved in the September 11 attacks on the US, Bow Street magistrates court heard today.

Raissi, 27, was first arrested at 3am last Friday under the Terrorism Act 2000 and, after being granted extensions, detectives were allowed to hold him for a maximum of seven days. He was re-arrested today on an international arrest warrant from the USA.

Updated: 13:58 Friday, September 28, 2001