ON BBC Radio Four's "Today" programme on October 21 Foreign Secretary Jack Straw indicated that the UK would go ahead with an attack on Iraq without the support of the United Nations, if, for example, we end up being vetoed on statements which are as plain as daylight that Iraq is in flagrant breach of UN resolutions.

I would like to ask why it is that the USA can constantly veto statements which are as plain as daylight that Israel is in flagrant breach of United Nations resolutions?

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is a military occupation which has lasted 35 years. It is harsh, brutal and oppressive. And it continues because of the decisive unilateral support by the United States at all the levels. It's in gross violation of international law and has been from the outset.

It is because of this hypocrisy of the USA to only apply standards when it suits its own economic interests -- oil -- that leads many to doubt the justification for an attack on Iraq.

JOHN EASTON, Alder Bank, Blackburn.