Letter: EU policy on Iraq

It does seem perverse that Great Britain, while currently chairing the Presidency of the European Union, one of whose most pressing treaty obligations is the Common European Foreign and Security Policy, should, uniquely, be so closely associated with the policy of the American administration towards Iraq.

Given that the previous Gulf War alliance no longer pertains and in order to oblige Saddam Hussein to permit the UN inspectors to carry out their mandate, the British government could usefully broker a united European diplomatic and, if needs be, military position.

CHRISTOPHER BEAZLEY

Nettlebed, Oxfordshire