Letter: Iraqi crisis

Before we work ourselves into a war mindset over the undoubted dangers presented by Iraq, it might be advisable to consider some wider aspects of the situation.

First, both the United Kingdom and the United States are signatories to the 1977 Protocols to the Geneva Conventions. The Protocols expressly forbid the bombardment of installations containing hazardous substances. Second, it would seem unwise to risk sending a cascade of nerve gases or anthrax spores into the environment with massive attacks of high explosive.

Such mass-killing weapons as chemical and biological agents should be got rid of, and Unscom has evidently done much. But it has always been the case, and always will be so, that the consequences of warlike acts are incalculable. Bombing Iraq again would not be clever; there are much better alternatives.

FREDERICK STARKEY

Mold, Clwyd