Letter: EU policy on Iraq

Weapons investigations in Iraq must be done by an objective and skilled team of experts from a number of countries. A United Nations team in reality and not just in name. Since US members of the team are not acceptable to Saddam Hussein, alternative experts should be used.

If a newly constituted team was accepted, this could be a face-saving move for both sides. If it was not accepted, this could not damage or change the present situation. If the United Nations was prepared to take such action, it would prove that it was not entirely dominated by the United States.

An alternative would be for the US to withdraw voluntarily from the inspection teams, not as a sign of weakness but as a gesture of confidence in the weapons inspection as an objective process and not a political manoeuvre.

PATRICIA KNOWLES

Selly Oak, Birmingham