From Field Marshal Sir John Stanier

Sir, Since my friend Tam Dalyell has included me in a list of people who are "vehemently opposed" to war in Iraq, I would like to make my position clear. I am fully in support of our Government's wish to stand firmly with the United States in their determination to defeat terrorism. I believe strongly that we should retain our close ties with America, whose people and way of life I respect and admire. I am also old enough to remember the immense debt which we in Europe owe to America, without whom we should have fallen under Hitlerite Fascism or later under Soviet Communism. But, despite this, I remain unconvinced that an attack on Iraq is a necessary step in the War on Terrorism.

Over the past 30 years, America has a long record of attacking small countries - all admittedly with good intent. Panama, Grenada, Somalia, Libya, Iraq, Serbia and Afghanistan all feature in this list. But despite the good intentions, all these operations leave pockets of hatred for America around the world. This hatred breeds terrorism.

While terrorism is one of the plagues of modern times, it is only one among many. The drug trade and the Aids epidemic account for far more deaths and misery than terrorism, while huge numbers of people in the world are simply unable to feed themselves adequately. Our planet itself is endangered by the output of noxious gases.

It is my reluctant conclusion that, until the United States shows herself to be a caring and committed participant in combating the woes of the world, her military options will only regenerate terrorism.

Yours faithfully, JOHN STANIER, The Old Farmhouse, Hazeley Bottom, Hartley Wintney, Hook, Hampshire RG27 8LU.