Letter: What if the UN says no?

DAVID AARONOVITCH (Comment, 21 February) is right in pointing out that the last Gulf war was a slaughter.

It is important to remember that only something like 7 per cent of the tonnage dropped on Iraq and Kuwait was "smart". The rest was unguided, and targets were missed 70 per cent of the time. With 80,000 tons dropped, civilian casualties were extremely high.

A second military adventure against Iraq would certainly kill and maim many innocent civilians. It would do nothing to bring democracy or justice to the region.

Dr BULENT GOKAY

Lecturer in International Relations

Keele University, Staffordshire