YOUR comment (Echo, Sept 25) seemed to be inferring that if there is a problem, some other person will have to resolve it.

In expecting the United Nations to find a peaceful solution you forget the Security Council requires financial support from the richer countries, with the United States being the largest contributor. Remember the saying: "He who pays the piper calls the tune."

The editorial ends with the question: "So why doesn't his country (Iraq) fulfil the obligations it agreed 11 years ago?"

A similar answer was being sought by Glen Reynolds (Echo, Sept 12). Unfortunately, the "roots of violence" took shape during the 1960s when the Middle East opinion of Europe and the US was that western civilisation was corrupt and decadent.

Those who subscribed to a life of sex, drugs and rock and roll, are now on a collision course with believers in the moral precepts of Islam.

The clue to Saddam Hussein's obstinacy lies in the words of President Bush when he spoke of a "regime change". - Thomas Conlon, Spennymoor.

WHAT would the aim of another Gulf War be? Removal of Saddam Hussein? He would only be replaced by an equally untrustworthy leader. Destruction of nuclear missiles? They can be obtained again, and if we aren't careful, used by an embittered state.

So what is there to gain?

On the other hand, what is there to lose by not attacking Iraq? As a state it has almost certainly got biological, chemical and nuclear weapons, or at least will have soon. Saddam has no compunction about using them. Ask the Kurds.

So the UN inspectors must be allowed to carry out examinations unhindered.

If Saddam doesn't allow this, then he admits he is hiding something, and there is little option left to the UN, unless it is just another League of Nations. - Matthew Miller, Tudhoe.

WELL lots of words about the menace of Iraq have been said. I notice that the rest of Europe - Germany, France, Italy etc - has offered advice, but no military help, rather like the mini-war in Afghanistan.

The only way to deal with Iraq is through the UN, otherwise if Britain and the US take military action without its approval, the UN is totally ineffective, merely a debating society. - F Atkinson, Shincliffe.

SPENNYMOOR FC

IN recent years, the town of Spennymoor has gone through hard times, with the loss of major industry in the area and the running down of the once proud town centre.

However, down at the Brewery Field a small band of people have fought very hard to save the best ambassador any town could have, a local football club.

It is now up to the people of Spennymoor to show their appreciation of the hard work put in by these people.

The present Moors team is full of exciting talent, so get along to the Brewery Field and be entertained while playing your part in ensuring success for your local football club. - D Graves, Hetton-le-Hole.

DURHAM COALFIELD

WELL done to Colin Tapping for his excellent article regarding the Durham coalfield (Echo, Sept 25).

Both my grandfathers, my father and six uncles were employed in the Durham coalfield.

Given that Labour likes statistics, more collieries closed under Labour governments.

However, who closed them has always been irrelevant. Miners were simply pawns in the game of global politics.

Pits did not close for no reason. Not only did they become uneconomic for whatever reason, the clamour to save the environment was brought right to our doorstep. Local government publicly backed the miners, while privately pushed towards smokeless zones and colliery streets fuelled by gas.

The crux of the problem was that Durham had all its eggs in one basket, and no one looked to the future to make the transition less painful.

Although I totally agree that miners were exploited, I simply do not believe a political party (Tories) would, through spite, take away a working man's employment. The real facts do not show this. - J Tague, Chairman, Conservative Party, Bishop Auckland Branch.

SINGLE CURRENCY

OVER the last few weeks, those opposed to the euro have repeatedly drawn attention through statements and letters to Britain's withdrawal from the Exchange Rate Mechanism ten years ago.

They claim that what happened to the ERM would also happen to the euro.

This is not so. - Robin Ashby, Secretary, North East in Europe, Newcastle.

WEMBLEY STADIUM

YOUR leader writer, commenting on Wembley (Echo, Sept 27) can have very little knowledge of football.

Our big three teams - Middlesbrough, Newcastle and Sunderland - made six major final appearances there in recent years starting from 1992.

Add to this two appearances by Darlington in play-off finals, combined with non-league teams like Tow Law, Bedlington and Whitby in the FA Vase finals, and it can be seen the comment 'that North-East teams reach Wembley so infrequently' is very much wide of the mark.

However, getting there is one thing, winning there is so much harder. - Martin Birtle, Billingham.