AFTER the death of the 50th British soldier in Iraq, a way out of this mess is badly needed.

Northern Ireland taught us that without a political process deemed to be fair by all sides, violence would only continue. The sabotage of oil pipelines can be explained by the Iraqis not wanting to see their oil going to pay for the budgets of the occupying powers.

The only solution to the chronic instability is a representative democratic government that is in charge of both security and economic affairs. The big problem is that the US sees the oil as a future foundation stone of its economy.

The stepping stone to this government can only be the UN, which Tony Blair seems once again to wish to divide and insult by insisting UN troops come under US control, thus making the French, Russians, Germans, Indians and so on the new prime assassination targets.

I believe that the UN must run the country outright as part of a transitional phase before things get very much worse.

Chris Clayton,

Hempland Drive, York.

...FAR from winning any war against terrorism, George Bush has only succeeded in hugely increasing the terrorist threat worldwide. This was only to be expected in view of his confrontational style.

Iraq is now an enormous problem. How do Bush and Blair propose to deal with it? It's their baby, but no amount of big talking will sort out the mess there or in Israel/Palestine. Perhaps B & B should just resign.

Jean Frost,

Elmpark Way, York.

...IT'S good to see Iraqi people rebelling in an effort to take control of their own country.

The American/British coalition has failed to guarantee the basics of security and continuous electricity, fuel and water supplies.

Invasion and occupation of Iraq (and Afghanistan) was wrong. All the American and British armed forces should be withdrawn. Clearly, their presence is not welcomed by the inhabitants.

Colin S Jeffrey,

Updated: 10:50 Wednesday, September 03, 2003