10 NOVEMBER 2001, Page 48

Soldiers v. spies

From Mr Andrew Dykes Sir: Andrew Gilligan (`The generals versus the politicians'. 3 November) argues that a state of war gives an enemy 'some forms of protection under international law'. This is only true of combatants in uniform, as Edith Cavell, Violette Szabo, Mata Hari and countless others shot as spies or fifth columnists show us. Al-Qa'eda members do not wear uniforms and thus would not be entitled to protection, even if they were members of the armed forces of a belligerent nation, which they aren't.

Andrew Dykes

Beaulieu. Hampshire