Letter: Dismal US record

Sir: Vietnam, Cambodia, Chile, Central America, Cuba, Iran, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Somalia, Iraq - to this dismal catalogue of murderous and disastrous American interventions we must now add Yugoslavia.

We face the familiar mix of colossal incompetence, gung-ho kick-butt vandalism and the inevitable (but so "regrettable") slaughter of civilians. Perhaps even some Pentagon thinkers must now be doubting their belief in the beneficial effects of "overwhelming firepower" that is so deeply ingrained in their culture.

DAVID H LEWIS

Caerphilly, Mid Glamorgan