Letter: Arafat the moderate

Sir: We are frequently enjoined by Arabists to regard the PLO as a 'moderate' movement. While they are less extreme than Hamas, the true nature of the PLO has recently been confirmed by Saddam Hussein. Recently Saddam Hussein decorated Yasser Arafat with the 'Mother of Battles medal of the first order' (Baghdad Radio, 2 February).

Those whom Saddam Hussein decorates are neither moderates nor friends either of this country or of peace in the Middle East.

Yours faithfully,

JOHN MARSHALL

MP for Hendon South (Con)

House of Commons

London, SW1

11 February