I WAS almost physically sick on reading the grovelling coverage of Mayor Giuliani's honorary knighthood.

How can this man or the US dignitaries accompanying him deserve knighthoods or CBEs in this country? What precedent is there for such servile bootlicking?

If the former Mayor of New York had used his position to calm the blood lust and international terrorism that has followed September 11, he might just deserve an odd accolade in the British press.

As it is he has condoned the slaughter of more than 15,000 Afghans in a bizarre war against one man.

Because of the failure of the British press to fully document US war crimes, the British people are left in ignorance as to the true nature of the imperialism that this disgusting Government lends its grovelling support to.

The tragic irony of the most powerful nations on earth pulverising the poorest seems to be lost on 99 per cent of the news media.

This vindictive campaign to boost still further US dominance of the Middle East should be a wake-up call to anyone who cares about human justice and the future of life on this planet.

These are values that George W and his ilk have openly turned their backs on.

R Westmoreland,

The Oval,

Pocklington, York.

Updated: 10:52 Tuesday, February 19, 2002