AFTER reading recent reports in the media of the charges against Sir Mark Thatcher I have to ask: what is the difference between someone like Sir Mark Thatcher allegedly funding the takeover of a state for its oil by private means and President Bush's takeover of a state for its oil through the use of public funds?

Stephen Fox,

Wellington Street

Alverthorpe,

Wakefield.

Updated: 10:17 Wednesday, September 01, 2004