Letter: Fuelling Islamic fundamentalism

YOUR leading article 'Bush's unholy war' (17 January) and Robert Fisk's fine article ('The Gulf war that Saddam won') rightly drew attention to the hypocrisy and inconsistency behind American and British claims to be merely enforcing United Nations resolutions upon a recalcitrant Iraq.

What is consistent is the pattern of harsh reprisals against an Arab transgressor combined with inactivity and indifference when, as in Bosnia or Palestine, Muslims or Arabs are the victims of the transgressions of others.

What this pattern will do is give nourishment and support to the growth of the very Islamic fundamentalism which the West claims to view with alarm and regret.

Anthony Arblaster

Sheffield