Letter: The path to peace

Sir: Britain's military intervention into the civil war in Yugoslavia was utterly irresponsible and could only exacerbate the suffering. Yet, instead of challenging the rhetoric of the Western military and political elite about "casualty-free", "precision" attacks and "humanitarianism", the British press largely backed the bombing.

More recently the press, panicking over the apparent failure of the bombing strategy, has spoken in almost a single voice to call for ground troops to eject Serb forces from Kosovo. This outpouring of militaristic jingoism is made to appear normal and rational when virtually all the dominant media promote it. A few voices in comment pieces have expressed concerns over the bombings.

As a result the debate in the country over the war has been seriously distorted and the complexities of the conflict have been simplified in a way to promote support for military action. Not surprising then that opinion polls show the propaganda working.

Lloyd George said that if the people had been told the facts about the First World War they would never have supported it. We believe the same is true of the war in Yugoslavia.

DR RICHARD KEEBLE

City University, London

JOHN PILGER

PHILLIP KNIGHTLEY

TIM GOPSILL

TESSA MAYES