SIR - In a war where humanitarian aid was a declared priority, the desperate plight of Iraq's children failed to find significance amidst the scenes of battle.

Away from the cameras the devastating impact of war upon children has largely gone unnoticed. Only now, as aid corridors begin to open up, are the harrowing images of children, scarred emotionally and physically by this war, beginning to surface.

For two young Iraqi boys, last week their childhood was shattered when curiosity drew them towards a bright piece of scrap metal. It was a landmine and in an instant it blew off the hands of six year old Runer and damaged the sight of his five year old brother, Aumed.

Children suffer most in times of war. They are displaced from their homes, may lose family and friends and suffer lengthy disruption to their education.

UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund, has warned that the state of Iraq's children, already weakened by twelve years of sanctions and two previous wars, is worsening daily.

UNICEF has been working in Iraq since 1952 and has established distribution networks throughout the country. In the months prior to the outbreak of war in Iraq, UNICEF positioned thousands of tonnes of life-saving supplies both inside the country and in neighbouring countries.

It is now the responsibility of all forces to ensure that there is order and to provide secure access to civilian populations to enable this aid to get through to those who need it most.

By that, UNICEF means ensuring it reaches children and women weakened and besieged by thirst, fear and hunger.

The current plight of Iraq's children is the result of years of deprivation, made worse by the impact of war.

Their needs will not simply go away when guns cease firing and troops withdraw.

The major task of rebuilding the lives and prospects of Iraq's children begins now.

How we respond in the next few months to this challenge will determine the future of a yenemtion of Iraq's children,

UNICEF urgently needs funds for its vital work in Iraq to continue.

Currently we are trucking essential humanitarian aid into Iraq from neighbouring countries.

In recent days trucks have reached northern and southern Iraq, delivering supplies of food, clean water, health kits and medical supplies.

Our appeal for £106 million, launched at the start of the war, has so far received only a fifth of the funding it needs.

However, just £25 could help save the lives of 150 children suffering from cholera or dysentery, and £32 could buy enough high energy biscuits to feed 15 children for one month.

If your readers would like to help, donations to support UNICEF'S emergency appeal for the children of Iraq can be sent to UNICEF UK, P0 Box 1800, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, 56 4UG.

Thank you.

Louis Coles

Regional

FundraisingManager

UNICEF Yorkshire

& NorthEast

SIR - Is there not some paradox in the two leading democracies invading another country, the second in recent years, to impose their will?

A contradiction to some ten years ago when they used their military might to reverse such an invasion.

It seems to me that the use of war, with its attendant death and maiming of the innocent, is to pervert the lessons of the last century, and a disaster to the future of humankind in this.

At a time when we should be using our vast knowledge and experience to co-operate in a better future, we have sadly resorted to man's oldest inadequacy when faced with difference. What an example for the young and their future generations.

The other paradox is regime changes were obtained in Russia and Eastern Europe without resort to war, so why had it to be used in Iraq?

I do trust when we review the horrible realities on television and in the newspapers we do put the use of war to the far back end of our agendas. Particularly if we find little or no threat from weapons of mass destruction.

A threat we and the United States and others maintain is essential to be held in our own weapon stockpiles for our defence.

MALCOLM BUDD

Goodley,

Oakworth

SIR - I do not often laugh at the letters in the Keighley News, but I must say I was very amused to see that one of last week's contributors described the public library as the first Dale Carnegie library in England. Andrew Carnegie, who gave £10,000 to help build the library, must be turning in his grave.

If your correspondent, Mr Green, does not know the difference, may I inform him, and whoever accepts letters for publication, that Dale Carnegie was a writer, known mainly for his book, "How to win friends and influence people."

Andrew Carnegie was a steel magnate who gave a great deal of money away in his later years to libraries and educational causes. His bust was on display in the foyer of the library for many years.

E STELL

Malsis Road,

Keighley