THE Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament condemns the terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre in New York and the Pentagon in Washington. We also convey our condolences to the families.

But talk of retaliation and revenge is both counter-productive and dangerous. An escalating cycle of violent reaction would be the most likely outcome.

The invocation of Article 5 of the NATO Charter must not be used as a "lawful" excuse for military action by the United States, with token support from western allies.

The United Nations is the appropriate body for debate and decision about how to deal with this crisis.

Furthermore, there is provision within the Treaty of Rome for perpetrators of crimes against humanity to be brought before an International Criminal Court something, ironically, which the US has refused to sign up to.

The US must realise that the foreign and military policies they have been following are significantly contributing to global instability and continuing "state-sponsored" terrorist activity.

CND calls on all concerned organisations and individuals to urge our government to show restraint and to actively dissuade the United States from military retaliation.

ELIZABETH TEBBS,

secretary,

Prestwich &

Whitefield CND.