Do so ent like so, Mr Bush?

THE EDITOR: George Bush has warned Iraq against inhumane treatment of American prisoners of war.

He declared that anyone who mistreats American prisoners will be treated as war criminals. Quite so, but what about those Afghans and others imprisoned by the US in Guantanamo? These prisoners are chained, held without being charged in Cuba where they cannot appeal to the laws of the United States for relief. Is it because American prisoners are more deserving human beings? At which court will Bush have these so called ‘war criminals’ tried? Will he have them tried at the International Criminal Court? Has he forgotten that the US under Bush has refused to recognise the ICC unless this court exempts US soldiers from prosecution? Why speak of war crimes when the US intervention in Iraq is not sanctioned by the UN, and as such is regarded worldwide as a criminal act? Was it not a criminal act to attempt to decapitate the Iraqi leadership with missiles? The American people must realise that their leader has made a major error and they must take steps to have him change his position. It is indeed tragic that someone who was elected President under such questionable circumstances must now lead the US into this war.

DAVID SUBRAN
Chaguanas