D QUARRIE comments about "our real friends" and who hates and loathes us (December 23). If we, the UK, and them, the USA, really practised true democracy, tolerance and freedom of expression, we wouldn't now be reaping that which we sow.

Since 1945 the USA has bombed no fewer than 20 countries, some of these twice. Most of these bombings were committed with the full knowledge of the UK government and a compliant press.

The USA is, I believe, the only country to have used nuclear weapons in a war (Japan); it has used copious amounts of chemicals on peasant people (Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia) and all manner of smart military hardware.

Then we have the nerve to ask why "Johnny Foreigner" is so anti-West.

In all the countries that have been bombed since 1945 not one has had a humane democracy installed. I wonder why this is?

James Stewart,

Beech Grove,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:27 Tuesday, December 31, 2002