IN a televised speech, Colin Powell said that America does not want anything from a war with Iraq. If people believe that, they will believe anything.

The American National Energy Policy outlines the energy crisis which stares the USA in the face.

Forty per cent of domestic energy consumption is oil, which is seven times the rate of domestic production, so the policy warns of a "fundamental" imbalance between supply and demand which will undermine their standard of living and national security. It states that "the economic security of our nation will remain closely tied to global oil market developments".

Must we therefore conclude that, as Iraq is sitting on half the world's oil reserves, this is just a coincidence? The USA consume more than one quarter of the world's oil production.

When recession is hitting people, war is the usual diversion, as Thatcher proved. A study of the American economy shows that unemployment now stands at 8.1 million (2.5 million up from when Bush came to power); 32.9 million American citizens now live in poverty; the Federal budget surplus was $86 billion when Bush came in and is now $314 billion in deficit; and there are 41 million American citizens with no health insurance cover.

Instead of careering around the world, Tony Blair should be attending to the job he was elected to do. We cannot have a first-class health service, free education, the transport system this government promised, and better pensions and housing, while squandering billions on war.

For information on Bury Stop the War Committee and the Anti-War demonstration in London on February 15, call 07905 327690.

ELIZABETH TEBBS,

Prestwich