27 APRIL 2002, Page 32

Stop supporting tyrants

From Hady Moslahian Sir: It is interesting to note that your leading article (13 April) says that the political culture of the Middle East has become more democratic. In 1953 a coup was financed and instigated by the American and British governments to oust the democratically elected prime minister of Iran, Dr Mossadeq, resulting in the dictatorship under the Shah. This event led to the Iranian revolution of 1979, and to this day the Iranian people are suffering the consequences.

So, please, spare us your righteous indignation. Democracy will only come to the Middle East when the British and American governments stop putting tyrants into power. Hady Moslahian

London SW1