8 MARCH 2003, Page 32

Encouraging words

From Captain C.J. Allen Sir: While thousands of British troops build up in Kuwait to join our US counterparts at the direction of our Prime Minister and for the continued freedom and security of those we have left back home, I am reassured and inspired by the writings of Lloyd Evans, Conrad Black, Mark Steyn, Phil Craig and others in The Spectator. Although I must refrain from expressing a personal opinion, it is of great benefit to me and my soldiers to read informed, intellectual fact and opinion, and not be disheartened in our tasks by those at home and abroad who choose to undermine those establishments under whose guidance and protection those same people have the right, choice or luck to live. Keep it coming!

C.J. Allen

Kuwait