Letter: Kosovo criminals

Sir: By what token could Nato "authorise" military strikes against Serbia? It is well publicised that the UN Security Council had passed no resolution authorising force. It should also be noted that the Nato Treaty provides no grounds for such action.

Article 1 of the treaty declares that Nato members will "refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force". Article 5 stipulates that force is allowed if an armed attack is launched against any member; no other contingency for the use of Nato military power is offered. Article 7 acknowledges the "primary responsibility of the Security Council for the maintenance of international peace and security".

It would be helpful if Washington would stop behaving like a "rogue state" and begin observing the unambiguous requirements of international law.

GEOFF SIMONS

Stockport, Greater Manchester