[Brian]

Hi guys

I don't know sufficient about the politics of the area to make a sensible contribution, but am appalled that in 2008 members of the so-called civilised world can once again be found involved in such a barbaric conflict. I agree with Jan - it's the wretched civilians who suffer and pay the price.

Afghanistan was mentioned - am I really so naive to have been led to believe that the Taliban had to be ousted before the opium poppies could be destroyed - thus saving the young people from a fate far worse than death itself? Why don't we (NATO/UN) destroy the poppy fields - the Americans de-foliated much of Vietnam/Cambodia when it was considered necessary - and surely to save the kids from suffering hell on earth is worth the criticism they would receive for doing the same in Afghanistan. Far too many lives of young British and American soldiers have been sacrificed - for what? What is the aim, the goal?

Brian