WHAT has the "war on terror" achieved so far? The Taliban are no more. This is good, but it was not a declared objective and cost the lives of thousands of innocent Afghans.

Al qaida has been dispersed, but arguably remains as dangerous as ever, as hardening anti-Western attitudes ensure an unlimited supply of recruits and supporters.

Terrorist attacks continue, though some have been thwarted through increased vigilance and painstaking detective work; but this could, and should, have been done without bombing Afghanistan.

But most significantly, George Bush and Tony Blair have set a dangerous precedent as leaders of other nations, notably Israel, Russia, India and China, use the pretext of "war on terror" to intensify local conflicts. They defy the UN and they refuse negotiated solutions. Thus the cycle of violence and bloodshed is perpetuated.

Yes, Mr Blair, we knew the threat and we saw it coming. We tried to warn you but you wouldn't listen. Will you listen to what we say about Iraq? - P Winstanley, Durham.

FIRE SERVICE

IN principle, I support additional payments being made to fire service personnel in recognition of the excellent service they provide in our community.

It is my understanding that there is a great deal of common ground between the employers and the Fire Brigades Union in regard to this issue.

The vast majority of funding, over 75 per cent, for the fire service, comes from central government. The demand made by the Fire Brigades Union would place an additional £450m on the fire service pay bill nationally, with £4.5m having to be paid in County Durham and Darlington.

The only way finance of that magnitude could be found is with the support of central government, who have made it clear that no additional funding will be provided without implemented modernisation of public services.

It is precisely for that reason that the employers have made the request to government to undertake an inquiry into the fire service, inclusive of pay and conditions.

I cannot understand the Fire Brigades Union's rejection of this opportunity, particularly if their case is a strong one.

The offer of four per cent is simply an interim payment which would be subject to upgrading and backdating, subject of course, to the findings of the public inquiry.

There is a great deal of common ground between the employers and the union. It would be an enormous shame for the reputation of such a fine service to be damaged by the taking of industrial action which is unnecessary and will place the public at risk.

A 40 per cent take it or leave it approach by the Fire Brigades Union does not, in my view, lead to anything other than unnecessary confrontation which I hope can be avoided. - Councillor G Tennant, Chairman, Combined Fire Authority, Durham County Council.

FOOTBALL FINANCES

FANS of football clubs must be mad to pay top prices to watch them play.

Manchester United players are secured for life with too much outside interest to worry about football.

Football is a business ready for a big slump. With players over-valued, fans will struggle to help to pay their top salaries at the gate. A lot of clubs will be lucky to survive unless they have rich directors on the board. - N Tate, Darlington.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE

CLAIMS that changes in UK criminal justice administration are in any way to do with European harmonisation ignore reality (Echo, Sept 7).

I oppose reduction in trial by jury, double jeopardy and the presumption of innocence. But these are everything to do with complaints that criminals are getting away with it and nothing to do with European law.

I am constantly reminded of two legal axioms. Hard cases make bad laws. It is better that nine guilty men go free than one innocent be convicted.

Once we have lost our rights they are rarely returned.

Those who clamour for even more restrictions on free citizens would do well to bear that in mind. - Robin Ashby, Gosforth, Newcastle.

COUNTRYSIDE MARCH

THANK you Robert Goodwill (HAS, Sept 7) for your honesty in declaring that the true purpose of the demonstration to be held in London on September 22 is against the Government.

I assume that you agree with my letter, that you support action against a Government that has performed better than any previous Tory government and that you do not give a hoot about democratic processes.

Those who intend to march should be aware of what they are supporting. Do they really wish to return to three million unemployed, runaway inflation, wholesale house re-possessions, further destruction of our manufacturing base, cutbacks in pensions and allowances, abolition of the national minimum wage, recreating a crippling national debt?

Remember it was the Tories who dismantled our rural railway system, the GPO, our public utilities, etc. - A Benn, Bedale.

REGIONAL GOVERNMENT

OUR own Prime Minister is becoming our best argument for a dynamic North-East assembly.

Tony Blair's London act may be a lot better than the official alternative, but it's a lot worse than we need.

Where is his creative vision of a regionalised democratic Europe? Not a feeble copy of the US, but something more relevant to modern needs and possibilities. Tony Blair's Euro-evasions breed nothing but apathy.

At a time of high tension over Iraq, where is a policy for the Middle East which includes all weapons of mass destruction, including Israel's?

By concentrating on one gangster (largely our own creation) and ignoring others we simply kowtow to President Bush's one-eyed stance.

Let's face the truth. Tony Blair presides over a banana monarchy that's had its day. It is time for us to grow up and look life in the face. - G Delf, Durham.