>If the ultimate aim is world peace, regardless of our individual beliefs or religions, then the US response must be towars that goal, however humiliating it seems to the bereaved & the angry citizens of your country.


Thank you for saying this. I am very disturbed by this talk of war. Bush: "The first war of the 21st century". CNN Banner: "America's New War". This is totally insane. The 5000 deaths in this terrible tragedy can be traced right back to the Afghan and Gulf Wars.

If we act unilaterally (as we love to do) and attack Afghanistan, we will (regardless of the near term outcome) sow the seeds of the Third World War.

If we work patiently (meaning many months of careful negotiation without constant threats of war) with Muslim leaders and governments, I believe they will eventually put Osama bin Laden on trial and dismantle his organization. They will do this because they are horrified by what has happened.

This will not mean an end to terrorism but it will bring a respite. Declaring war on the Taliban will only increase their resolve and the number of their recruits.

Peter Robinson