SIR - I share with Malcolm Naylor (letters page, October 11) his disquiet at the danger of militarism being given free rein. Nobody can really believe that missiles and tanks are going to affect the minds and hearts of the radicals in Islamic countries.

Nor will they frighten the few who are fanatical enough to spread death and seek their own death as a religious duty. And I agree that the way the United States has ridden roughshod over the sensibilities of the rest of the world needs to be highlighted: their manipulation, bullying, and vetoing has been largely in pursuit of their own interests.

Also I can well understand his dislike of Tony Blair and distrust of his purposes. However, since I share neither of these feelings, I am confused about Mr Naylor's aim in writing his letter.

I find his assessment that Mr Blair and Mr Bush are 'the main beneficiaries of September 11,' ridiculous if not obscene. The only way they benefit is that those who have opposed them in the past now support them (or at least remain silent) because they accept the importance of what these two leaders are called on to do.

Naylor resents that Mr Blair should be leading this country but his main criticism seems to be that the present crisis is being tackled in such a statesmanlike manner.

I would not have had our nation react to the tragedy that struck America in any other way than we did. Mr Blair's immediate statement of our strong support and the workload he has since taken on are truly heartening. He has been forthright, lucid and steadfast.

The accusation of mendacity and hypocrisy smells of rancour (and can only be based on some private psychic knowledge of hidden motives) as Tony Blair's actions over the last month tend rather to prove the opposite.

At this juncture, bearing in mind the grievous errors of the past which have alienated so many people, we need to decide whether political decision making is to be done openly by discussion and negotiation, or secretly by terror. This is an easy question to answer and it is not affected by our worry over the dangerous power of financial and industrial corporations or the unholiness of the arms trade.

We must not be ruled by terror. I am an ageing spectator, forced to watch with hope and trust as our leaders deal with this awful threat. Like most of us I get my information only from the media and I have no special inside knowledge.

So I am not going to use my anxiety as a justification for offering my own solution to the world's ills, nor as the basis for attacking the ability and good faith of our leaders who, I believe, are doing the best they can.

It is clear that Mr Naylor does not agree with me. He values his moral judgment more highly than that of most media commentators and his strategic understanding more highly than that of the governments of America and Britain.

Of course, he is entitled to his opinions but it seems a pity that readers of the Wharfedale Observer should be belaboured with them so often. Particularly since he has really only one thing to say; that Tony Blair is the incarnation of Satan. This rag of an opinion he will hang on any hook he can find. Let's be done with him.

Howard Versey

13 Coppice Wood Avenue,

Guiseley.

Talk it through

SIR, - Christopher Leslie MP states that bombing raids, on one of the world's poorest countries, are necessary for the 'future security of the world' (Ilkley Gazette, October 18).

His colleague, Clare Short, storms in with an even more bizarre statement. The Minister claims that opponents to the war are 'emotional'. In times of war it is common for leaders to adopt macho language. Words of war detract from the fact that there is no intellectual or moral argument for this conflict.

Its legality is also certainly dubious. The world is less secure as a result of military action. Far from being 'soft', opponents of the conflict are asking the hard questions.

We want the British and US Governments to tackle the causes of terrorism in a calm and measured way.

This will be difficult, but far from impossible. The action required will be through peaceful and diplomatic means.

We need a battle of words and ideas. We can make a start - locally and internationally.

l We must have a new effort to end wars in Palestine, Kashmir and the north of Ireland. Terrorism thrives where democratic politics fails.

l Britain must adopt an ethical arms policy.

l We must tackle appalling levels of poverty in parts of the world and stop supporting economic policies that create greater divisions between rich and poor.

l Levels of international aid will have to be dramatically increased to match our status as one of the world's rich nations.

l We should increase our understanding of different faiths and encourage dialogue between religious groups - at home and abroad.

Christopher Leslie states that Bin Laden refuses to negotiate. President Bush also refuses to talk to the Taliban regime. At some point all sides will have to take the hard option and begin to talk.

Tony Parker

10 Booth Street,

Burley-in-Wharfedale.

Committee facts

SIR, - Whilst I do not wish to prolong the issue regarding Menwith Hill more than is necessary, as I feel most of the main points have been well covered, I must reply to Mr R Dunn's letter in your paper dated October 18 due to a number of inaccuracies.

In his letter, Mr Dunn states that I was the Otley Town Council representative on the Menwith Hill Forum. This is incorrect!

The town council's representative was Mr Dunn's fellow Labour member, Councillor John Eveleigh; I merely attended as a local representative of the community, never in my capacity as councillor.

The committee I was elected to during my time as councillor was the Twinning Committee, which I attended regularly.

Also, Mr Dunn incorrectly states I never attended any meetings. Again, Mr Dunn, get your facts correct! I attended two meetings but as John Eveleigh was not present at either of these, perhaps this is why this information has not been relayed to you.

At neither of these meetings was I asked to sign any attendance sheet so how you can know what meetings I did or did not attend, I fail to understand.

Finally, I would like to thank Mr Dunn for publicly acknowledging that he caused anxiety to Mr and Mrs Soussan, two good Christian friends of mine, with his admonishment of them in the Press during the summer on the subject of the closure of All Saints Junior School.

I am sure that they are not the first people he has upset, nor will they be the last.

J D Burland

76 The Whartons,

Otley.

Slum legacy

SIR, - Please allow me to respond to the letter of Coun Graham Kirkland in the Wharfedale Observer, October 18.

Graham Kirkland accuses me of getting it wrong and he seems to think that my idea is to spend, spend, spend to resolve the problem. His problem is that his maladministration never spent adequately and that is precisely why Otley Labour- led town council inherited a slum which is our Civic Centre.

Under-funding has caused this. Each of us in our own homes, has to budget in order to provide and maintain our home to an acceptable and pleasing level of comfort and decoration.

Under a maladministration of Liberals, did this town have to suffer the ignominy of seeing much of its public building condemned by a health and safety officer? Perhaps he regards that as prudent management.

He further tells me through the auspices of your paper that he has received many constructive suggestions for the Civic Centre. As a member of the Civic Centre Committee perhaps he would be willing to share these suggestions so that the citizens of this town might benefit.

On the other hand he might just take the Liberal view point and do nowt except carp. That would personify him.

Ray Dunn

42 St David's Road,

Otley.

Poppy appeal

SIR - Although it is more than 80 years since the Armistice ended the enormous tragedy of the 1914-18 war, many British ex-Servicemen and women and their dependants still need our help, as can be demonstrated by the fact that more than 300,000 calls for the help were answered last year by the Royal British Legion.

However it is not just the veterans of the two world wars that we should remember, but also all those who have served in the multitude of conflicts which have occurred since then and, sadly, continue to this day.

The Remembrance Day ceremonies on Sunday, November 11, 2001 will, provide a special time for everyone to remember the sacrifices of those which enable us to enjoy the freedom won by the bravery of the men and women we honour.

The Poppy Appeal has helped to fund the legion's work to deliver a caring service for the benefit of the ex-Service community continuously since 1921. This year is even more special since it is the 80th Anniversary of the founding of the Royal British Legion.

I ask the citizens of Leeds, who are well known for their generosity, to support the Poppy Appeal, to 'wear their poppy with pride' and to make this appeal the most successful ever.

Coun David Ellis Hudson

Lord Mayor of Leeds,

Civic Hall,

Leeds.

No such luck!

SIR, - I ask all the millions who are protesting about the bombing of Afghanistan to persuade Bin Laden to use all his wealth and influence to provide for all his 'brothers', saving them from starvation and poverty.

No such luck, it's in his own interests to keep everyone in Afghanistan in dire need, whilst wearing his American flak jacket and costly wrist watch.

F Dickinson

Larkfield Road,

Rawdon.