It was promulgated under the rubric of "diversity", but diversity can be accompanied, as in Africa today, by warfare, not peace.

It requires tolerance and law to lead to peace. Europe in 1914 was an example of diversity and plunged into the greatest war (until then) in history.

Today, Europe is still diverse, but European law means that it can remain at peace.

We live under a government that followed its American ally into an illegal war against Iraq and, strictly speaking, consisted and consists of war criminals.

You printed a letter of mine last year pointing that out and the situation has changed only marginally.

It is difficult for people in this country to accept that, but Britain, apart from being one of the largest exporters of lethal weapons, is also one of the countries most regularly involved in starting and participating in wars.

In those circumstances, one can understand why the organisers of the Peace Week determined to play down the political implications and emphasise the "civic" side of peace.

Despite three and a half years in the RAF, for 60 years I have been actively involved in peace-seeking world movements, serving as chairman of one of them and as author of two books plus a dozen pamphlets about creating peace.

Consequently, I feel very much involved and regret that public concern over deaths in the armed forces does not lead to any correspondingly serious effort to focus on the ways to abolish war and create a peaceful world.

John Roberts
White Horses Way
Littlehampton

NOTE: All letters must include a name and address which can be withheld by request.

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