Supporting the US
From Mr Edward Gamier, QC, MP Sir: My friend and parliamentary colleague Peter Ainsworth was not well served by the headline above his article CI dare to dissent', 14 September), but he need have no fear of being accused of being unpatriotic. First, what he had to say is hardly daring. Second, he is clearly concerned for the British national interest. I have no doubt that were we to go to war against Saddam Hussein, he would neither undermine the government nor the armed forces in their difficult task.
But does he ask the right question, namely whether the United States has considered why so many people hate it and what it stands for. I am sure that it has, and that the government has concluded that taking on Saddam Hussein is not going to please everyone.
Messrs Bush and Blair are not doing 'something' because doing 'nothing' is not an option; nor can they be unaware of Saddam's capacity to misuse the problems between Israel and the Palestinians and, indeed, most of the Arab world. The crisis in Palestine will not be assisted by leaving him to continue to develop weapons of mass destruction, any more than will the long-term stability of the royal families governing much of the Gulf and neighbouring states.
It is fashionable to belittle the imagination, the sophistication, the ability to think strategically and the generosity of spirit of the American people, their President and his close advisers. This last week has seen the US administration's policy of using its collective skill, intellect and, of course. diplomatic, economic and military power to persuade governments more reluctant than ours in their support for, or even hostile to. the American stance against Saddam Hussein bear fruit. For my part, I would rather work with the Americans, even if that involved risks to this country, in order to see peace and stability brought to the Middle East, than sit on the sidelines wringing ray hands, complaining that the world was full of insoluble problems.
Edward Gamier
House of Commons, London SW]
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